DIRECTOR

John (24) is a Wellington-based filmmaker, writer, and researcher, and the co-founder of ROOZEN+SIBANDA, a creative agency where he leads impactful commercial and kaupapa-based film projects. Notable works include the documentary series Te Herenga Tangata, which delves into the experiences of kaupapa Māori community groups in Tairāwhiti, Te Moana-a-Toi, and Te Tai Tokerau.

A recipient of the New Zealand Film Commission’s Big Screen Symposium 2024 Scholarship and a national grand finalist in the 2024 48Hour Film Festival, and the 2023 SPADA ‘Big Pitch’ Competition, John is a storyteller deeply committed to exploring human-centred narratives. As an African New Zealander and a post-colonial migrant, John brings a unique perspective to themes of identity, intersectionality, and indigenous sovereignty.

With a background as a Research Scholar in Law and Teaching & Research Assistant at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington and former Parliamentary Advisor, John’s academic rigour and legal insight ensure his work is historically grounded and nuanced.

WRITER

Sascha (23) is a Haitian-American artist and filmmaker based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Her Haitian roots are a central influence in her storytelling, particularly in her exploration of colonial resistance and liberation. A recent graduate in Cultural Anthropology and Film from Victoria University of Wellington, Sascha is committed to bridging her artistic and academic pursuits through film.

Her previous work includes films with a strong auto-ethnographic focus. Notable projects include Altars in Aotearoa (2023) and I Was Dreaming of the Past (2023), the latter selected for the Māoriland Film Festival 2024. Most recently, she served as producer for A “Promised” Land (2024).

As Writer and Associate Director, Sascha brings her unique voice and critical perspective to the project. Her background in cultural anthropology and auto-ethnographic filmmaking informs her storytelling, while her lived experiences as a Black woman navigating questions of ancestry and belonging enhance the film's exploration of identity and historical memory.

CINEMATOGRAPHER

Charlie (20) is a filmmaker with a particular passion for cinematography. He has travelled across Aotearoa with his camera, and is currently based in the Hutt Valley along Te Awa Kairangi. 

His mahi ranges from shooting music videos & docos solo, to working with crews on larger productions and short films. His favourite projects are those involving nature and an opportunity to roll barefoot. 

Every project is unique and requires a balance between crafting visuals through prep and being ready for the spontaneous. Charlie jumps at the opportunity to work with any situation & challenge - ensuring equipment, crew & style are adapted to each shoot.

His mahi includes numerous collaborations with kaupapa Māori organisations and communities. He has also shot extensively with Shepherdess NZ & Hillary Outdoors, working within wāhine and rangatahi spaces respectively. He has a keen interest in bringing human connection and identity to life visually, exploring how to kōrero about whakapapa, kotahitanga and whanaungatanga - whether that is via a hip-hop music video or personal doco series.

PRODUCER

Olive Roozen (23) is a creative director and multidisciplinary filmmaker whose career could be traced back to ten years old, directing their class’s winning film for Hillary Outdoors’ Student vs. Wild competition. By then, they were all but inflicted with the kaupapa of excellence through continuous reimagination. Put to the test and proven in co-founding ROOZEN + SIBANDA, Olive has carved out a new niche in Te Whanganui-a-Tara of facilitating and empowering new kōrero. Often collaborating with wahine, tangata whenua, and diaspora, their constructive yet restless approach to camera and editing has rendered an impactful tapestry of work, recognized as City Finalists in the 48Hours Film Festival consecutively since 2019, while trusted as a core collaborator in Snapshot Shorts.

Olive believes that everyone is exciting, and it's about finding how to express it. From not-for-profit kaupapa Te Herenga Tangata; the performers of Wellington Opera; to governmental agencies such as MFE / Manatū Mō Te Taiao; their work, often screened as exemplars at VUW Te Herenga Waka, influences yet younger filmmakers afield in Ōtautahi and Palmy. Proving that you don't have to wait to make the things you want to see, their work sets the tone for whakatupuranga muri.