Join us virtually on the 29th of March

10:00am

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Introduction to the Southern Filmmakers Collective and Our Mission, Q&A Submissions open

10:15am – 11:00am

Keynote // How Filmmaking From the Remote South Can Tell Important Stories for Our World

Filmmaking from the Southern regions offers unique perspectives that resonate on a global scale. Award-winning documentary filmmaker Judith Curran explores how stories rooted in remote communities can have a powerful impact worldwide.

11:10am – 11:40am

Panel // Unscripted Storytelling – From Reality TV to Documentaries

Reality TV and documentaries both tell real-life stories, but they do so in different ways. This panel, featuring Judith Curran, Gwen Isaac, and Jon Kroll, will explore the common ground between these two genres—both of which are unscripted and seek to capture authentic human experiences. What are the similarities and differences in the way real-life stories are crafted for TV versus film? How do ethical considerations differ, and where do the lines blur between entertainment and reality?

Break

10 Minute Break

11:50am – 12:35pm

Keynote // AI as a Narrative Collaborator: Rewiring Creativity and Future Skills in Filmmaking

In this talk, Justin Matthews explores the transformative role of generative AI in storytelling and filmmaking, challenging traditional creative approaches. Addressing what he terms the "whole cloth problem," Justin highlights the limitations of treating AI-generated outputs as finished products, emphasising instead the significant advantages of viewing AI as a collaborative partner or tool within creative processes.

He navigates the complex landscape of generative AI, discussing its immense potential to unlock new narrative possibilities and innovative storytelling techniques, while candidly addressing prevailing ethical concerns and potential risks. Recognising the rapid evolution and changing capabilities of AI technologies, Justin underscores the importance for filmmakers to cultivate adaptability and develop ethical AI literacy.

This session will provide valuable insights for creatives looking to harness the positive aspects of AI, preparing them to thrive in a swiftly evolving technological landscaped.

Break

10 Minute Break

12:45pm – 13:30pm

Lunch

Funding a film isn’t one-size-fits-all. In this keynote, Steve Barr, an experienced producer and industry strategist, explores alternative funding avenues—from grants and sponsorships to crowdfunding and innovative financing models. Learn practical strategies to help get your project off the ground, no matter its scale.

Keynote // Practical Strategies for Alternatively Funding Your Project

Lunch Break and regional short film screening

14:00pm – 14:45pm

Keynote // The Art of the Low-Budget Feature

Hosted by Tom Levesque, this session explores how the unique challenge of working with a low budget can drive creativity and improve your filmmaking skills. Discover how limited resources push you to craft stronger narratives, develop memorable characters, and make the most of locations and sets. Learn to innovate with lighting, cinematography, and post-production, while building a small, dedicated team that thrives on resourcefulness. Perfect for filmmakers who want to turn budget constraints into opportunities for creative excellence.

Break

10 Minute Break

14:55pm – 15:25pm

Q&A with All Speakers – Answering Your Submitted Questions

Join our panel of industry experts as they tackle questions submitted by attendees. This is your chance to gain insights, hear different perspectives, and dive deeper into the topics covered throughout the Summit.

15:25pm

Open Floor: Connect & Chat

Stick around after the sessions for an open networking space—chat with fellow attendees, share insights, and connect with like-minded creatives in a relaxed setting.

This year’s Summit features an extraordinary line-up of industry leaders, including award-winning directors, producers, and trailblazers in film.

You’ll hear from experts with a diverse range of experience, from documentary filmmakers and feature directors to reality TV producers. Expect insights from those who’ve shaped the industry across various genres, offering unique perspectives on storytelling, production, and navigating the ever-evolving film and television landscape.

  • Judith Curran is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and conservation advocate from Dunedin, New Zealand. With over three decades of experience, she has produced and directed acclaimed documentaries, including the Emmy-nominated Orangutan Jungle School and Orangutan Island . These films have gained international recognition for their compelling storytelling and impactful conservation messages. Curran co-founded the Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) New Zealand chapter, leading successful campaigns against unsustainable palm oil practices , notably influencing Cadbury's corporate policies. Her extensive experience and unwavering commitment to conservation make her a voice of authority and inspiration in the field!

  • Jon Kroll is an Emmy-winning executive producer and showrunner with over 30 years in television. He has shaped more than 200 programs across genres, including The Amazing Race  (2004 Primetime Emmy) and National Geographic’s Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted. Former EVP of New Line Television and founder of Avocado Entertainment LTD, his portfolio spans reality TV (Amish in the City), documentaries (From Hell to Hollywood), scripted series (Blade: The Series), and features (Amanda and the Alien). Now based in Wellington, New Zealand, he develops global content for U.S. and Australasian audiences. For fifteen years, he’s been an Adjunct Professor at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts in Los Angeles, and he continues to teach courses and seminars all over New Zealand.

  • Based in Auckland, New Zealand, Tom is a storyteller whose work spans feature films, documentaries, short films, and music videos, featured on platforms like VICE, The Guardian, and MTV. His debut feature film, Shut Eye, premiered at the 2022 New Zealand International Film Festival and was later selected for the 2023 Melbourne International Film Festival. Tom's screenplays have been recognised by The Black List and have been shortlisted in the top 10% of the Academy Nicholl Screenwriting Fellowship. In 2021, his screenplay The Televangelist was optioned by Canadian production company Minds Eye Entertainment. Tom’s work is known for character-driven narratives and resourceful, low-budget filmmaking techniques, bringing bold ideas to life with creative innovation.

  • Steve Barr is a dynamic filmmaker and producer with a diverse career spanning Los Angeles, New Zealand, and China. After 16 years in Hollywood, he relocated to New Zealand in 2010, bringing his extensive experience to the international stage. A graduate of the University of Southern California's Bachelor of Fine Arts acting program, Barr transitioned into writing and producing. He co-founded the SoCal Film Group, a creative collective that produced over 50 short films across various genres—many of which garnered acclaim at prestigious film festivals and aired on cable channels like AMC & Showtime.

    Barr’s diverse roles include:

    • Corporate Executive at NBC Universal

    • VP of Development for indie financier SMASHfilms

    • Producer & Executive Producer on:

    • Getting Toasted (2019) – Kaikoura

    • The Ballad of Maddog Quinn (2022) – Tekapo

    • Northspur (2022) – Nelson

    • From 2019 to 2023, he was the Commissioner of Drama & Scripted Drama at TVNZ, where he commissioned hit series like:

    • One Lane Bridge (2020–2021)

    • Under The Vines (2021–2025)

  • Gwen Isaac is a distinguished British-born, New Zealand-raised filmmaker celebrated for her compelling observational documentaries. With a career spanning the UK, USA, and New Zealand, she has directed acclaimed reality series for ITV and the BBC. Her debut feature, Where There is Life (2017), earned her the Best First Time Director award at the London Independent Film Awards. In 2023, she released Ms. Information, a critically acclaimed documentary delving into the life of microbiologist Dr. Siouxsie Wiles during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gwen leads the Bachelor of Screen Arts (Hons) factual major at Massey University’s College of Creative Arts. She is currently developing innovative projects, including a documentary on the brassiere and a first-person investigation doc into her own childhood, Mad Merry.

  • Justin Matthews is a Senior Lecturer in Communication Studies at Auckland University of Technology (AUT). Before joining AUT, Justin had an extensive career in the commercial sector, working in various digital fields where he specialised in digital media, film and TV and communication. His expertise lies in digital communication with a focus on production, strategy, and content creation. In his teaching, Justin covers a wide range of topics related to digital media, including moving images, social media, virtual cinematics and other cutting-edge technologies and their role in enhancing communication experiences. 

    Justin's research explores futuristic user interfaces and the integration of emerging technologies like holography, augmented reality, projection mapping, and generative AI within creative communication. His recent work specifically investigates generative AI's applications in the creative industries, emphasising its role in generating images, video content, and creative writing. Justin’s broader research interests span moving image studies, popular culture, digital narratives, and creative AI.