INTRODUCING THE 2025 ACTIVATOR COHORT
12 LEADING NZ PRODUCERS SELECTED FOR SCREEN BUSINESS PROGRAMME
26 June 2025:
Libertine Pictures, 113 Partners, Hinterland and Spada are proud to announce the 12 producers selected for the 2025 Activator Screen Business Programme, an international business development initiative designed to build export capability within Aotearoa’s screen production sector.
Between July and October 2025, these mid-career and established producers will take part in an intensive programme including industry-led workshops, international market visits to Sydney, London, and Los Angeles, and expert business training.
The cohort of 12 producers represent some of the most entrepreneurial and ambitious screen talent in Aotearoa - working across film, television, documentary and factual - and are now poised to take their projects and businesses to the global stage.
Meet the 2025 Activator Participants (Pictured L-R and listed alphabetically)
Alexander Behse - Monsoon Pictures International
Documentary and feature producer known for pushing boundaries in the development, production, and financing of indigenous and factual programming. Alexander’s screen production credits include the box-office hit POI-E: The Story of Our Song, New Zealand's first HBO Max Original There is No I in Threesome and the SXSW-premiering Kim Dotcom: Caught in the Web (Hulu).
Alexandra Reed - Bloom Pictures
Documentary and drama producer specialising in socially engaged, character-led storytelling. Alex’s credits include the Netflix docu-feature Mister Organ, the HBO Max Original There Is No I in Threesomeand feature documentary The Girl on the Bridge.
Cameron “Cam” Bakker - Kevin & Co.
Entertainment and comedy producer behind some of Australasia’s most successful formats. Cam’s producing credits include Taskmaster NZ, Creamerie, Double Parked and Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont-Spelling Bee (NZ & Australia).
Cass Avery - Dark Doris
Multi-platform documentary producer and writer known for purpose-driven storytelling. Cass’s credits include Richie McCaw feature doc Chasing Great (New Zealand’s highest grossing feature documentary), mental health advocate documentary The Girl on the Bridge and Prime Minister, the audience award winner at Sundance 2025.
Georgina Conder - Miss Conception Films
Drama and comedy producer with a focus on underrepresented voices. Georgina’s credits include a string of hit feature films including The Breaker Upperers, Cousins, Red, White & Brass and the award-winning TV series Not Even.
Mario Gaoa - The Brown Factory
Writer, director, and producer of scripted and documentary projects with a Pacific lens. Mario’s credits include bro’Town, We Are Still Here, Duckrockers and Kiwi box office record-breaker Tinā
Halaifonua “Nua” Finau - Tavake
Writer and producer developing bold, unapologetic Pacific-led content. Nua’s credits include box office hit Red, White & Brass, TIFF-premiering TV drama The Panthers and award-winning Rachel Griffiths-led comedy-drama series Madam.
Nicole Horan (Ngāti Maniapoto) - Hi Mama Productions
Producer of scripted and factual content grounded in kaupapa Māori. Nicole’s credits include factual series such as Toa Hunter Gatherer, documentary including Speak No Māori and scripted content like the upcoming Dead Ahead.
Nigel McCulloch (Ngāti Whakaue) - The Down Low Concept
Writer-producer specialising in comedy and music documentary. Nigel’s credits include 7 Days, Hounds, Scribe: Return of the Crusader and Alien Weaponry: Kua Tupu Te Ara (Tribeca).
Paul Yates - NZDB / Kitchen Table Productions
Veteran writer and producer of comedy and drama. Paul’s credits include Wellington Paranormal, Under the Vines, and the upcoming sci-fi series Warren’s Vortex.
Rachale Davies (Ngāti Māhanga) - Boxed Media
Director and producer of factual and formatted content. Known for championing diverse voices, Rachale founded Boxed Media to amplify underrepresented stories. Her credits include major unscripted series, award-winning documentaries, and shows like The X Factor and Bondi Rescue.
Robyn Paterson - Sweet Productions
Award-winning documentary and unscripted producer with a focus on purpose-led content. Robyn’s credits include Down for Love, Grand Designs NZ, Finding Mercy and Licence to Drive.
The 2025 Activator Screen Business Programme is made possible with the support of the New Zealand Film Commission, NZ On Air, and Te Māngai Pāho, the Vista Foundation, Netflix, Grant Thornton and Gallagher Insurance. The programme was developed by Libertine Pictures and 113 Partners, with 113 Partners overseeing the course content and Libertine Pictures and Hinterland managing the market connections and assisted by Spada.