Who we are

Film Auckland provides a voice for all screen and associated sectors, ensuring the wellbeing and growth of the Auckland screen industry as an important business sector of our country. Film Auckland works continuously to support and facilitate a world class innovative screen industry that is sustainable and internationally competitive. 

Our mission is to facilitate success for the Auckland screen community

We are future focused, connected, and at the heart of the Auckland industry.  We nurture, support, promote, and advise our community, stakeholders, and partners. 

Care, Kaitiaki

For nearly 20 years, we have advocated and continue to care about our Auckland screen community and the growth of the industry.

Collaboration, Mahi Ngātahi

We work collaboratively with each other, our stakeholders, partners, and our Auckland screen community to deliver on the FAI purpose.

Contribution, Koha

Everyone’s contribution matters.  We respect each other’s voices.

Genuine, Tūturu

We are thoughtful and purposeful in our intent.

Support. Tautoko

We support each other and our communities.

2022 BOARD

Chair, Grant Baker

Grant Baker is the Managing Partner and co-owner of Images & Sound, one of New Zealand’s longest running Post Production facilities based in Auckland, New Zealand. Grant has over 30 years experience in the New Zealand film and television industry starting his career at TVNZ as an audio engineer and later editor before becoming a post production supervisor, eventually joining Images & Sound in 1993 where he has worked on numerous feature films and TV drama productions.

Deputy Chair, Alice Shearman

Alice Shearman is the current Deputy-Chair of Film Auckland Incorporated. Alice is the Executive Director of the New Zealand Writers Guild (NZWG). With over 18 years’ experience in the film and television industry, starting at Film Equipment Company (FEC) in Wellington. Previously Alice was the Deputy Chairperson of the Actors Agent's Association of New Zealand (AAANZ) while she was a Screen & Literary Agent for over 9 years.

Treasurer, David Rowell

David Rowell has worked in the Motion Picture industry for over thirty years, contracting to a variety of US, Canadian, New Zealand, Australian, and French productions.  He has worked as Financial Controller, Production Accountant, Production Manager, Production Executive and Production Supervisor for various US Studios including Warner Bros, Viacom, Paramount, Disney, Sony Columbia Tristar, 20th Century Fox, and other independents.  From 2000 to 2017, David was an owner and director of Studio West, a successful Motion Picture Production Facility in Auckland.

Secretary, Marg Slater

Producing international TVCs, music videos, short films and dramas since 1994, Marg continues to be committed to the sustainability, inclusivity and diversity of the screen sector. She has also sat on the board of the locations office, Film NZ; is currently a Board Member of Auckland Film, and a Trustee of The New Zealand Dance Advancement Trust.  In June 2012, she returned head Slater Films where she continues her producing career. 

Executive Officer, Amber Wakefield

Joining the FAI team in 2019, with 19 years of experience in the screen industry, Amber has wide experience in production, transport, and locations on international feature films and dramas. A passionate advocate for the industry with a comprehensive understanding of the New Zealand screen infrastructure and ecosystem. Amber is also the Executive Officer of the New Zealand Cinematographers Society (NZCS). Her knowledge of the industry and extensive network means she is ideally placed to help FAI reach its goals.   

Graham Dunster, Board Member

Graham is the founder/operator of Auckland Actors Ltd, one of the longest running and most successful talent agencies in the country. He has had eleven years of administrative experience in the UK commercial television scene. He currently also is the chair of the Actors Agents Association of NZ (AAANZ), is an Equity supporter, and founded the NZ Actors Agents Guild.

Annie Dodman, Board Member

Annie is a respected freelance production manager for local and international productions, with over 35 years experience. Prior to that she has worked as the Floor Manager for television in Christchurch, and as a location manager. Since then have worked on many films and MOW’s including several for the Disney Channel and features 30 Days of Night, Aliens in the Attic and Walking with Dinosaurs.

James Brookes, Board Member

James Brookes is one of the founders of Auckland’s Department of Post, and is the post supervisor for up to 15 major film and television productions annually.  Over the years he has become known for his collaborative nature, working to ensure that every producer is empowered and enabled to access the best technology, resources and expertise our region has to offer, regardless of scope or budget. James Brookes endeavours to unite the screen production community, towards the common goal of working together to create a stronger regional Film sector across Auckland. 

Ngaire Fuata, Board Member

Ngaire is a Company Director of SunPix, Producers of the long-running Pacific Islands television show “Tagata Pasifika”. She's also a Director of SunPix Post (post production house formerly known as VTR and Suite16) and Malo Pasifika Network, the Pacific Islands media content platform, TP+.  She started her career in the Maori and Pacific Programmes Department at TVNZ and has over 30 years experience in television production and more recently film.  Ngaire is of Rotuman (Fiji Islands) and Dutch descent.

Sioux MacDonald, Board Member

Sioux has for the last twenty one years, been the owner of  Film Crews, an Auckland based crew booking agency, servicing all New Zealand and international producers needing film crew in NZ. Prior to owning Film Crews, Sioux spent 9 years in the post production sector at TVNZ, Go Post Avalon Studios, Flying Start Pictures, Communicado, Juice TV, and AAV New Zealand. She is also the vice president of the ‘Screen Industry Guild’ (formally the NZFVTG)

Kristian Eek, Board Member

Kristian is a producer and production manager with 20 years experience in the NZ feature film and commercial industry. While he currently mostly works in commercials, he has worked on several Hollywood blockbusters while also producing and line-producing multiple NZ feature films and short films. His credits include Beyond The Known (Feature - Producer), The Most Fun You Can Have Dying (Feature - Line-Producer) and Manurewa (Short - Producer). Kristian is a current APA (formerly NZAPG) board member. Over the last 2-3 years he has worked closely between the industry and Screen Auckland to improve access to and permitting of council controlled locations. 

Taulua Moimoi, Board Member

Bio coming soon!

Clayton Tikao, Board Member

Bio coming soon!

ADVISORS

OUR VALUES

ADVISOR

Alex Lee

From 2014 - 2019 Alex Lee held the role as Chair and in 2019-2020 as Deputy-Chair.  He is a trained lawyer and filmmaker. He has an entertainment law and commercial law practice in Auckland. Alex has been extensively involved as an advocate of as well as a capacity builder within the screen industry. He is a Co-director and Founding Trustee of the Documentary New Zealand Trust which runs the Oscar qualifying Doc Edge International Film Festival, Doc Edge Forum, Doc Edge Pitch, Doc Edge Schools, Doc Edge Goldies, Doc Edge Exhibition and other documentary advocacy work. Alex has advocated for greater support and visibility for the Asian screen and performing arts community. 

Mary Lose

Mary is a communication, partnership and media specialist with more than two decades of experience working in, and now leading strategic engagement and communication.  Mary's diverse career covers hospitality, journalism, broadcasting in front and behind the microphone and camera, education, health, social wellness and housing and now the finance sector.  A foundation student of South Seas Film and Television School of 1992, it remains very close to Mary in terms of her whanau and friends who continue to work in it.