L - R: Rob Sarkies, Abi King-Jones, Vicky Pope, Desray Armstrong
June – September 2019
Toi Pōneke Arts Centre are pleased to announce Abi King-Jones as the Write Room Wellington Screenwriter’s Residency 2019’ with her project Out of the Vaipe, The Deadwater.
Supported by Toi Pōneke Arts Centre, Abi will be in residence in Wellington for 12 weeks from 24 June – 15 September. She will be provided with a grant, studio space and experienced creative support from Producers; Desray Armstrong (Stray, Ellen Is Leaving, Meathead) and Vicky Pope (Savage, Gardening with Soul, Two Little Boys) and Director Rob Sarkies (Scarfies, Out of the Blue, Consent ) who make up the selection & mentoring panel.
Vicky Pope, said “We had an overwhelming response to the Write Room Residency Programme with 50 applications to the 2019 round. Overall the panel were impressed with the standard of writing and breadth of work being developed in Wellington. It's a strong validation of the need for this kind of support for both emerging and established screenwriters, so we’re thrilled to be able to partner with Toi Poneke to provide this opportunity.”
“Abi’s project is well researched with a lot of strong material to be drawn from, and at a stage where the panel feel it will benefit from Write Room support to help it take the next step on its journey towards production. The team are excited about the opportunity to support a filmmaker transitioning from documentary into drama. The writing is complex and has a maturity to it, it’s also very cinematic and set in its own unique world.”
Out of the Vaipe, the Deadwater is a feature adaptation of the memoir of the same name by acclaimed Samoan writer Albert Wendt.
Abi King-Jones on receiving the residency said:
“I was lucky enough to have Albert as one of my lecturers at Auckland University. He made a deep impact on me and I went on to read all of his novels and short story collections. Indeed, Albert’s writing and knowledge has been a gateway for me to understand my own heritage.”
“The Write Room Residency will provide me with the essential time, resources and support to complete the first draft of my script and progress the project to the next development phase. It will allow me to engage in a sustained writing practice with input and guidance from other experienced filmmakers.”
Abi King-Jones is a New Zealand born and raised Palagi with Samoan ancestry. She has 15 years experience making feature documentaries and she has a Bachelor in Film, Television and Media Studies from Auckland University.
She has directed and edited five feature documentaries in collaboration with Errol Wright and Alister Barry, all of which have screened in the New Zealand International Film Festival and on Maori TV. Operation 8 also screened at the Melbourne and Hawai’i Film Festivals, was nominated for Best Arts / Festival Feature Documentary at the 2011 Aotearoa Film and TV Awards and won Best Documentary Feature at the 2012 Wairoa Maori Film Festival. In 2018 she was a participant in the DEGNZ Women Filmmakers Incubator Programme.
Toi Pōneke Art Centre currently run four Residency Programmes to support Wellington based arts practitioners across a variety of mediums. A Sound Art Residency in partnership with Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music, a Dance Residency and a Visual Arts Residency. For more information on their support and opportunities. https://toiponeke.nz/support-and-opportunities