Jane Campion to Launch 25th Anniversary Spada Conference
Acclaimed filmmaker Jane Campion is set to launch the 25th anniversary Screen Production and Development Association
(SPADA) Conference in Wellington on November 23.
The Oscar and Palme d’Or winner will deliver the opening NZ On Air John O’Shea Memorial Address for the two-day event,
speaking to this year’s theme ‘The Magic of Collaboration’.
SPADA Executive Director Sandy Gildea says the organisation is excited to have Jane Campion join the stellar line-up of
local and international guests.
“The NZ On Air John O’Shea Memorial Address is a platform for thought provoking and insightful commentary. We are
thrilled to have such a leading-light within the industry open the conference and explore the power of the collaborative
process with us.”
Conference speakers include international children’s, family media and new technology specialist David Kleeman, LA based
co-president of Cornerstone Films and former acquisitions executive Mark Gooder (Slumdog Millionaire, The Queen, 12 Years a Slave and Paranormal Activity), BAFTA member and Academy Award-winning VFX producer Jeremy Hall, hit web series creators The Candle Wasters and soon
to be announced special guests.
Other highlights include the annual SPADA Screen Industry Awards (now in its 20th year), South Pacific Pictures’ Big
Pitch competition and Great Screenrights’ Lunch.
“As an industry we stand on the shoulders of the trail blazers who have gone before us. Our Awards are an opportunity to
honour long-standing industry champions as well as shine a light on emerging talent in our industry,” says Ms Gildea.
The conference bookends SPADA’s third International Training and Development Programme with renowned UK expert Angus
Finney. Sixteen creatives took part in intensive production modules throughout 2017, which focused on development,
finance, sales, marketing and distribution.
Following on from the final module Angus Finney will also speak at the event.
The 25th SPADA Conference is produced with the support of strategic partners WREDA and the NZ Film Commission and key
sponsors NZ On Air, Images and Sound, Screenrights, Park Road Post Production, and South Pacific Pictures. Sponsors and
supporters include Getty Images, Sura Film and Entertainment, BCD Travel, Department of Post, Crombie Lockwood, Budget
Rental Cars, FilmFinances, the Data Book, SCREENZ and Havana Coffee.
ENDS