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AileenO'Sullivan

  • Director
  • Producer
Aileen-O_Sullivan-profile.jpg

Aileen O’Sullivan has made dramas and documentaries in a range of mediums. Her first screen job was acting in The Governor. After directing on Gloss and The Billy T James Show, O'Sullivan set up her production company, Seannachie Productions. She is a passionate advocate for telling New Zealand stories; her subjects have included writers Witi Ihimaera and Ngaio Marsh, and indigenous dance troupe Black Grace.

Screenography

2022 Co-Director Film
2011 Writer, Director - Dramatic sequences Television
2011 Producer, Director Television
Killing Time
2008 Director, Producer Film
Life's a Riot
2008 Producer Television

Biography

Aileen O'Sullivan's family were of Irish and Scottish heritage, and placed great stead on storytelling. Dunedin-born O’Sullivan soon learned that "if you’re going to tell a story, make it a good one!" The ethos has guided her work as a director; she took 'seannachie' — Gaelic for storyteller — as the name of her production company.  

Awards

2006 Air New Zealand Screen Awards
Nominated for Best Documentary - Television (with Toby Mills): for Black Grace - From Cannon's Creek to Jacob's Pillow

1978 Feltex Television Awards (New Zealand)
Nominated for Best Supporting Actor: for The Governor

“I love stories — finding them, listening to them, telling them.”

Aileen O'Sullivan