In an industry in flux, where creativity collides with disruption, the role of artificial intelligence is being hotly contested. Is Ai a revolutionary tool that will supercharge storytelling, unlock new efficiencies, and democratise filmmaking – or is it a threat to originality, jobs, and the heart of human expression?
Big Screen Symposium’s newly established centre piece The Aotearoa Screen Debate kicks off with a fiery motion: “Ai will save our Screen Industry !”
Three speakers will argue for the motion, championing the possibilities of Ai as a catalyst for innovation, accessibility, creativity and survival in a competitive global market. On the other side, three voices against will make the case that Ai undermines artistic integrity, devalues creative labour, and risks widening existing inequities.
Expect bold ideas, sharp perspectives, and no easy answers. This session invites the screen sector of Aotearoa to grapple with one of the most urgent and divisive questions of our time. You’ll laugh, you’ll squirm, and you might even change your mind.
Moderator:
- Tihini Grant – writer, director, BSS Kaikōrero
Debaters:
- Namulau’ulu Nu’uali’i Eteroa Lafaele – Fibre Fale and Young New Zealander of the year 2025
- Arthur Machado – VFX director
- Tim Hamilton – filmmaker
- Aidee Walker- director, actor
- Dr Karaitiana Taiuru – Dr Karaitiana Taiuru (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Toa)
IP & Critical Indigenous Researcher, leader in AI/Data and Emerging Tech Ethics and Governance - Claire Pullen – Australian Writers Guild
SPEAKERS
NAMULAU’ULU NU’UALI’I ETEROA LAFAELE
Eteroa Lafaele is a multi-award-winning tech leader and fierce advocate for digital equity. Raised in Cannons Creek, Porirua, with ancestral ties to Fogapoa, Leulumoega Tuai, and Lefaga in Sāmoa, Eteroa founded DigiTautua during lockdown to refurbish and distribute devices to families in need. She also co-founded Fibre Fale, a Pacific-led organisation dedicated to bridging the digital divide and empowering communities through emerging technologies.
Eteroa is the creator of the first Pacific-led AI Masterclass, designed to make artificial intelligence accessible and culturally relevant. Her work is grounded in service, systems change, and cultural leadership.
Her impact has earned her national and global recognition, including Young New Zealander of the Year (2025), Young IT Professional of the Year (2021), Prime Minister’s Award for STEM (2019), and Forbes 30 Under 30 for Social Impact. Eteroa continues to lead with purpose, making space for Pacific excellence in tech and beyond.
Arthur Machado is an experienced advertising film producer and a pioneering AI Director and Artist, working with brands, agencies, and production companies around the world. With nearly 20 years in the industry, he has held key roles at AlmapBBDO and Paranoid Films in Brazil, and at Resonate in New Zealand.
Now focused on pushing the boundaries of storytelling through AI, Arthur works across a range of formats, from leading creative and production end-to-end to collaborating on projects by producing visual assets or providing AI consultancy.
Arthur’s personal AI-driven projects have also gained wide acclaim. His short film LLM – Modello Linguístico Divino has been selected and awarded at festivals worldwide, alongside other viral and award-winning AI productions.
TIM HAMILTON
Tim Hamilton is an accomplished filmmaker based in New Zealand whose income is largely supplemented from winning short film competitions. Renowned for his innovative yet “safe” homemade camera gear, stunts equipment and budget-conscious visual style, he has gained recognition among established directors and major brands worldwide. His work spans hundreds of projects, accumulating millions of views.
DR KARAITIANA TAIURU
CLAIRE PULLEN
Claire Pullen is Executive Director of the Australian Writers’ Guild and Group CEO of the Guild’s group of companies, including AWGACS. AWGACS is the collecting society for royalties for Australian and New Zealand screen authors, which distributes millions every year to writers. Her members’ work has been stolen by AI.
Prior to working at the Guild, Claire was a Director at several large trade unions, both private and public sector. She led communications, media and campaign teams in unions and NGOs.
She began her career as a union organiser, becoming an Industrial Officer and then senior Industrial Officer ensuring fair treatment for workers including paramedics, teachers’ aides, waitresses, morticians, and firefighters.
Claire drafted the landmark firefighter occupational cancer list now in place in every state and territory in Australia while completing her Masters of Labour Law from Sydney University.
She has begun her Masters of Copyright Law, but as yet there are no signs of her finishing it.
AIDEE WALKER
Aidee Walker is a renowned kiwi actress and director. Her debut short, The F.E.U.C. (2012), was officially selected for the Palm Springs Film Festival and Show Me Shorts Film Festival (NZ). Her second short, Friday Tigers – funded by NZFC’s fresh shorts – was selected for MIFF, where Aidee attended the Accelerator Program. Friday Tigers won Best Short Film and the Audience Award at the 2013 NZIFF. Her third short, Break in the Weather, premiered at the Show Me Shorts Film Festival in 2016. In 2014 she joined the writing team for South Pacific Pictures’ Step Dave, and now has multiple TV series in development. In 2015 she led an all-female crew in making a 48-hour short film and made the Grand Finals, it was officially selected for the Artemis Women in Action Film Festival in L.A.
Aidee played the lead role in Catching the Black Widow, lawyer Ingrid Squire in In Dark Places and Kate Ryder in One Lane Bridge. She directed the web series Stand Up Girl for NZME and was a director on Westside (season 4&5), The Brokenwood Mysteries (season 6&7) as well as a Screentime Hallmark TV movie. Aidee was lead director on the BBC family drama Mystic (season 2) and has a guest role on NBC’s One of Us is Lying (season 1&2) which is streaming on Peacock and Netflix. Aidee has just completed Kid Sister for Greenstone Pictures, directing all five episodes which have just dropped on TVNZ on demand.
