Ko Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga, ko Te Ātiawa, ko Te Ati Haunui-a-papārangi ngā iwi.
Jessica Sanderson is a film and television director from a design and theatre background. Of Māori and Pākehā descent, the varied lives of her family influence the stories she tells – the majority of which are about the people of Aotearoa / New Zealand and the wider Pacific.
Jessica has a 'Bachelor of Performance Design', a joint degree from both Massey University and Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School, which has influenced the strong visual and conceptual approach she applies to her projects. She has created music videos for some of Aotearoa’s most prolific artists, including; Aaradhna, Shapeshifter, Stan Walker, Tama Waipara, Ria Hall, Kora and more.
Jessica has recently finished her first short film Ways To See, funded by the New Zealand Film Commission and produced by her long-time collaborator Desray Armstrong (Sandy Lane Productions). She is currently directing an eight part documentary television series called Moko produced by Velvetsone Media, and is developing her first featue film.
2018: Documentary TV Series
'MOKO'
ROLE: DIRECTOR
Eight part series due for release 2019.
*Currently in production.
2018: Short Film
Ways To See
ROLE: DIRECTOR / WRITER
NZFC Fresh Short
*Currently in post-production.
2015 - On-going: FRESH
Hawaii, Rarotonga, Guam & NZ based
ROLE: Director & Editor
TV Show created by Tiki Lounge Productions for TVNZ
2017: Music Video - Aaradhna
Forever Love
ROLE: DIRECTOR/EDITOR
2015: Music Video - Shapeshifter + The Upbeats
Solitaire
ROLE: DIRECTOR / EDITOR
2015: TVC
New Zealander of the Year Awards
ROLE: DIRECTOR / EDITOR
2015: Television Series
Comedy: Find Me A Māori Bride
Māori Television
Brown Sugar Apple Grunt Productions
ROLE: CONTINUITY + DIRECTOR (EP 5-6)
2015: TVC
ROLE: DIRECTOR / EDITOR
2014: Group Illustration Show
ROLE: CONTRIBUTING ARTIST / EVENTPRODUCER
2014: Music Video - Ginny Blackmore + Stan Walker
ROLE: DIRECTOR / EDITOR / CO-PRODUCER
2013: Television Series - Totes Māori
Segment director: Documentary Profiles
ROLE: FIELD DIRECTOR / EDITOR
2013: Music Video - Tama Waipara
Medicine Man
ROLE: DIRECTOR / EDITOR
2012: Music Video - Kora
Drop Dead Killer
ROLE: DIRECTOR / EDITOR
2012: Theatre Design - A Hearts Path
ROLE: GRAPHIC DESIGNER
2012: Music Video - Ria Hall
Best of Me
ROLE: DIRECTOR / PRODUCER / EDITOR
**Winner of NZ On Air, ‘BEST VIDEO OF THE YEAR BY A MĀORI ARTIST’, 2012 Māori Music Awards
2012: Music Video - A Hori Buzz
-Turnaround
ROLE: PRODUCER / DIRECTOR / EDITOR
2011: Event Design
– Ria Hall EP Release Party
ROLE: SET / VISUAL DESIGN / LIVE VJ
2011: Event Design
– Antarctica
ROLE: SET / VISUAL DESIGN / LIVE VJ
2011: Erina Daniel’s Masters of Theatrical Arts, Major Piece
– Party With the Aunties
ROLE: IMAGE / SET / COSTUME DESIGNER
2010: Music Video - Benny Tones ft. Sacha Vee
Released Jan 2011
- Chrysalis
ROLE: DIRECTOR / EDITOR / PRODUCER
2010: New Zealand International Film Festival
– Short film project; Quarters (Our House)
ROLE: DIRECTOR / PRODUCER / EDITOR
2010: Taki Rua Productions 2010 Te Reo Māori Tour
– Matapihi ki te Ao
ROLE: IMAGE / SET / COSTUME DESIGNER
2010: New Zealand International Arts Festival
– Mark Twain and Me in Māoriland
ROLE: DESIGN ASSISTANT
2009: Blow Festival 2009
– End of year Performance Design group show;
Set Departure (Recollect)
ROLE: Contributing Artist
2008: Out of the Box
– Group show at Massey University (Te Ao Mārama)
ROLE: Contributing Artist