As CEO Annie leads the operational delivery, guides the strategic policy and provides sector and staff leadership to the NZFC.
Prior to NZFC, Annie was the Head of Sky Originals for three years after starting at Sky TV in 2014 as a Senior Commissioner. Before this, she was Head of External Programming at Māori Television. Annie also served as Interim Co-Chair of the Toi Mai Workforce Development Council Board, a member of Te Kāhui Ahumahi, and as a member of the Bay of Plenty Regional Skills Leadership Group. She was also a Trustee of Ngā Taonga.
Annie also worked in the public sector with the Broadcasting Commission (NZ On Air), Māori Television and had two stints at TVNZ. Academically she holds a Master of Education (First Class Hons) from Waikato University and a Diploma in Bicultural Journalism from Waiariki Institute of Technology.
To contact Annie email karen.anslow@nzfilm.co.nz
Leanne Saunders
Head of Development and Production
Leanne is responsible for the pipeline of screen projects and support for sustainable screen businesses. Her team responds to enquiries from concept through to the end of post-production. Leanne provides strategic advice on the direction of screen investment, and expertise to support funding and investment decisions, strategies, and corporate plans. Leanne holds a Bachelor of Arts from Te Herenga Waka Victoria University and gained her first industry experiences in the UK. Leanne has worked across the advertising and feature film sectors as a producer with feature film credits including Hunt for the Wilderpeople.
funding@nzfilm.co.nz
Dale Corlett
Head of Talent Development
As the leader of Talent Development, Dale is a funding decision maker on all NZFC talent development grants and funds and the lead contact with the New Zealand Screen Industry Guilds and organisations. He is also one of the leadership team members on the NZFC Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Dale advises on career progression and on all funding administered by Talent Development. Dale was the CEO/Creative Director of GMAC Film in Scotland responsible for identifying high quality emerging talent and supporting progression from shorts to features.
talentdev@nzfilm.co.nz
Jasmin McSweeney, MNZM
Head of Marketing
Māori Kūki ʻĀirani
Jasmin is responsible for the promotion and marketing of New Zealand films in New Zealand and internationally. She works closely with filmmakers, distributors, film festivals and international market partners on the festival and release strategies for feature films, and assists distributors and filmmakers to identify and engage with audience through test screenings, research and distribution grants. Jasmin’s NZFC marketing film projects include The World’s Fastest Indian, Boy, Whina and Muru. Jasmin is a director of the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA) Board.
marketing@nzfilm.co.nz
Catherine Bates
Head of Incentives and International Promotions
Catherine manages incentives rebate scheme, the New Zealand Screen Production Grant (NZSPG), for both international and New Zealand Productions , with a particular focus on the 5% Uplift. She is the NZFC’s first point of contact for New Zealand government agencies in relation to the 5% Uplift and works closely with international productions and New Zealand government partners to deliver strong outcomes for all. She also oversees Communications. Catherine began her career at Tourism New Zealand and was involved with the development of the New Zealand destination brand and global 100% Pure New Zealand campaign, development of the New Zealand Story and the NZ Inc Hobbit leverage programme. Before joining the NZFC she lead the development of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup New Zealand Opening Ceremony.
nzspg@nzfilm.co.nz
Philippa Mossman
Head of International Screen Attraction
Philippa is the lead contact for major international screen productions considering New Zealand and manages key relationships with studio production executives and independent producers. She is responsible for New Zealand’s provision of an international enquiry service and has wide-ranging expertise across screen production and the media sector. In December 2022 Philippa was elected as a director on the board of Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI).
enquiries@nzfilm.co.nz
Chris Payne
Head of International Relations
Chris connects filmmakers and industry with international partners, projects and business/career development opportunities. He has a focus on facilitating official film and television co-productions under New Zealand’s 18 bilateral co-production treaties and agreements. He also leads delegations of New Zealand producers and industry to China, Singapore and Taiwan, and attends international film festivals and markets. Chris also oversees Business Affairs and Policy.
Prior to NZFC, Chris worked in development and production at 100 Meter Films in Tokyo. In New Zealand he worked in screenwriting/development and production and as business development manager at a commercial law firm.
Te O Kahurangi is responsible for guiding the effective implementation of the NZFC’s Te Rautaki Māori. She is a producer with extensive experience in governance, culture, intellectual property rights, iwi and community organisations as well as active involvement in Māori screen issues. Prior to joining the NZFC in 2018, she worked for 15 years at Kura Productions, producing with Quinton Hita a range of television productions in te reo Māori. She has served as a board member of Ngā Aho Whakaari - the Māori in Film & Television legacy collective and prior to her screen industry career, she worked extensively in the tourism industry in Rotorua.
rautaki@nzfilm.co.nz
Karen Larsen
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Karen moved to Wellington to study tourism. Post study, she landed a role with the Plaza Corporation quickly becoming known as the bean counter, this beginning a journey to lead finance teams. She joined Ernst & Young and trained as an accountant in the 90s. Since then she has headed corporate teams, finance, IT, HR, property etc within not for profit or Government organisations. Prior to the NZFC, Karen was CFO at Radio New Zealand (RNZ). She loves to demystify the complexity of numbers and support teams to succeed.
finance@nzfilm.co.nz
Corporate Support
General enquiries: reception@nzfilm.co.nz
Legal and Business Affairs enquiries: businessaffairs@nzfilm.co.nz
Diversity and Inclusion enquiries: diversity.inclusion@nzfilm.co.nz
HR enquiries: hr@nzfilm.co.nz
IT enquiries: BusinessTechologyServices@nzfilm.co.nz
