she/her 

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He uri nō Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga, Te Ātiawa & Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi 

Jessica Sanderson is a film and television director from Aotearoa (New Zealand) who is passionate about creating beautiful imagery and telling compelling stories.  

Born in Hastings to a Pākehā mother and Māori father, she sees herself as the sum of many parts – and her greatest influences are her eclectic family members. Jessica’s grandparents include a filmmaker, a visual artist, an orator, and a nurse. Their vocations, view of the world, jokes, and kindness have all left their trace on her and continue to inspire her work. 

Most recently she finished directing and writing her first NZFC funded short film WAYS TO SEE – a story about a young girl trying to make sense of a family tragedy, by befriending an atua Māori (Māori God). The drama/thriller was produced by Desray Armstrong and won Gold at the NZCS Awards for cinematographer Tammy Williams. Described by many as a “dark but beautiful short”, 'Ways To See' was inspired by Jessica’s own processing of her father’s passing as a young person. 

Jessica is currently finishing directing MOKO – an 8-part documentary series produced by Lara Northcroft (Velvetstone Media) about the revival of tā moko (Māori tattooing). Jessica’s commitment to the project, which started in 2018, is inspired by photographs and paintings of her ancestors – and the desire that moko be just as commonplace for her daughter’s generation. Currently in post-production, the project is due for release in 2022. 

This year she was selected for the Script to Screen’s 2021 ‘Film Up’ program, to work on her first feature film script – a drama-comedy called NO GUTTER BALLS. In the commercial space, Jessica continues to work with teams and companies who want help to tell their stories and promote their products and services – favoring companies with ethical approaches to business. Her most recent piece of branded content was a partnership with Te Hiringa Hauora and The Spinoff, produced by Hexwork Productions.  

Jessica studied a Bachelor of Performance Design at Massey University and Toi Whakaari NZ Drama School. Following that she worked as an editor and creative producer at TVNZ Blacksand and on factual television programs that took her around the Pacific and Aotearoa.  She has also created music videos for some of Aotearoa’s most prolific artists, including Aaradhna, Tama Waipara, Kora, and more.  

In regards to potential collaborations please contact Jessica’s agent, Bruce Everett at Dusty Road.

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