Vanessa Wells is a filmmaker and theatre practitioner who has worked in the arts industry for over 20 years. Her debut feature documentary film EAST TO EAST about a group of teenagers completing the iconic Coast to Coast multi-sport event screened to sell-out houses at NZIFF 2018.  Vanessa has a collaborative approach to film, working with Vanishing Point Studio on award-winning interactive work such as LIVING FLOWERWALL (producer/director, 2019), and the critically acclaimed GIVE KATE A VOICE (co-director, 2018) which was an Honouree in the International Webby Awards, won Silver at the Best Design NZ Awards and Best Costume Design at the NZTV Awards 2019.  In 2016, Vanessa established her own production house, Elanti Media Ltd.  Exploring the educational and short documentary genre, in 2018/19 Vanessa worked in Antarctica twice. The first trip to the Ice produced an educational children’s play (which toured primary schools in late 2020) and also created content for SESAME STREET WORKSHOP, which has since commissioned a further 7 short films from Elanti Media. The second trip to the Ice resulted in a short documentary TE WHAKAIRO. Premiering at Show Me Shorts Festival 2019, a semi-finalist at CSFF in China, officially selected for The Explorers Club New York Polar Film Festival, FIFO 2020, Christchurch Polar Film Festival, Melbourne Documentary Film Festival 2020, and recently Earth Futures Festival. Te Whakairo continues to screen at festivals worldwide. Vanessa produced and directed a short film on climate change which runs continuously at the International Antarctic Centre and she directed 22 episodes of the social media profile series "Braveheart Christchurch”. Vanessa has also twice been nominated for Best Female Director in the 48 Hour Film Competition Grand Finals.Vanessa is co-vice President of WIFTNZ (Women in Film and Television), having been on the board since 2015.

The "bread and butter", the "side hustle", occasionally the "moonlight" job when the roadworks are outside, the kids are home sick, or the client is in London... over the last 12 years my voice work has been a constant - and I love it. I keep it separate from my film-making (although I think of them as cousins).

Te Puna Matarau was formed by Canterbury screen professionals. The key aims are to advocate for sector development, foster a local screen community and deliver industry led initiatives such as the Waitaha Canterbury Screen Story Incubator.

Professional improviser with The Court Jesters at The Court Theatrewww.courtjesters.co.nzwww.courttheatre.org.nz