I am a documentary filmmaker. My most recent film featured the art and life of gay artist Geoff Dixon | Portrait of Us – co-directed and produced with Glenis Giles through gogomedia AOTEAROA. It premiered at the NZ International Film Festival in 2022.
I am also currently involved in strategy and research projects across the health and not for profit sectors. After 10 years working in palliative care as an educator/facilitator I am currently involved in a research project on Rangatahi Suicide lead by Dr Clive Aspin.
I am a Trustee of LAGANZ, the Lesbian & Gay Archives of New Zealand | Te Pūranga Takatāpui o Aotearoa and this year also joined the International LGBGT+ History Month Trust – currently working towards establishing a New Zealand initiative.
I completed a Masters in Communications degree at Victoria University of Wellington focused on digital content and worked as a creative and digital sector analyst for many years, working on creative industry and digital content/games strategies for NZTE , National Library of NZ and NZ On Air. In 2008 I was the founding content director of NZ On Screen and established ScreenTalk. Further film work profiled here.
In 2015 I was Digital Artist in Residence with The Big Idea , collaborating with my son, designer Sam O’Leary , hospice workers, and creative practitioners on The Solace Initiative, where people showed or told what brings them solace in times of loss or grief.
I worked with artist Daisey Bingham and sculptor Bridget Nawalowalo to show the story of their redesign of the entranceway to the Wellington Homeless women’s shelter, Te Mahana, the warmth of the home.
My short film Music for Life explores the power of music in the lives of people living with dementia, with music therapist Rani Heath in association with Dementia Wellington.
If you’d like to talk about strategy, research, creative or health related projects please contact me for a chat.
Mobile: 0273788466
LINKS