Todd Karehana
Director, Writer, Producer [Ngai Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Te Arawa, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Ruapani ki Waikaremoana]
Growing up in Kawerau alongside nine siblings, Todd Karehana envisioned kickboxing for his future, not filmmaking. He began making his own short films whilst studying at Auckland University, and graduated with an Honours Degree in Drama Directing in 2016. For his short films he often juggles the roles of director, writer and producer. His autobiographical short My Brother Mitchell was multi-award-winning, and his Loading Doc Night Ride explored similar themes of grief. His work in television includes directing for TVNZ's Young and... series, and writing for bilingual web series Ahikāroa and kids show The Exceptional Squad.
It really dredged up a lot of emotion at the time... I want to continue pushing myself to go places I don't want to go. That's the stuff that interests me now. Todd Karehana on making My Brother Mitchell, a short film about the death of his brother, The NZ Herald, 20 March 2018
