Carr appointed as Film NZ CEO
Gisella Carr has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Film New Zealand, the national film office based in
Wellington.
Announcing the appointment, Film New Zealand chair Julian Grimmond said that Ms Carr has an extensive background of work
in New Zealand’s creative industries, involving a range of developmental national roles and a network of senior contacts
in the film industry. She was the author of a major report to New Zealand Trade and Enterprise on the international
export potential of visual arts and crafts. She has been a consultant to the Wellington company Gibson International
(part of the Gibson Group) on delivering an interactive digital wall to the Museum of Copenhagen for which offshore
financing was successfully raised.
Since 2006, Gisella Carr has been Director of Funds Development at Te Papa, where she has been responsible for the
national museum’s multi-million dollar fund-raising programme involving national and international corporates and
government organisations. Her achievements have included realising a record level of exhibition sponsorships and an
increased level of investment from renewing sponsors.
She spent the previous ten years as a consultant in the creative industries, with assignments involving work with
government and cultural agencies, local authorities, and philanthropic trusts. In the same period she was also a
lecturer at Victoria University and Auckland University, teaching management and cultural policy.
From 1985 to 1995 she held senior positions at the Arts Council/Creative New Zealand, including Director of
Communications, Research and Information. For three years she was Director of the Student Arts Council, and she also
spent a year as marketing and tour manager of the Royal New Zealand Ballet.
Julian Grimmond says he is confident that the new chief executive officer will succeed in sharpening Film New Zealand’s
marketing focus and building on the success of its current work to create a stronger international brand and so to
contribute to the inward investment that is such a crucial part of the New Zealand film industry.
Gisella Carr says she looks forward to working with the Film New Zealand Board to set a new agenda and focus for the
organisation. “The role offers a chance to energise and lead a lean organisation that faces the challenge of developing
New Zealand’s competitiveness as one of the world’s best screen production destinations within an increasingly complex
international landscape.”
ENDS