Bios

PRODUCER / DIRECTOR - Aileen O’Sullivan

Aileen O’Sullivan has helmed drama and documentary for a wide range of mediums. Her first screen job was an acting role 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 NZ stories; her subjects have included writers Witi Ihimaera and Ngaio Marsh, and dance troupe Black Grace. 

CINEMATOGRAPHER-Alun Bollinger, MNZM

Alun has been crafting the slanting southern light onto film and other formats, for almost 40 years. He is arguably New Zealand's premier cinematographer; images framed by Bollinger's camera include some of the most indelible memories to come from iconic films like Goodbye Pork Pie, Vigil and Heavenly Creatures. Since the 1960s, Alun Bollinger has worked with almost every significant Kiwi director: among them Geoff Murphy, Ian Mune, Gaylene Preston, Vincent Ward, Roger Donaldson, Peter Jackson and Jane Campion.

EDITOR- Ken Sparks

Sparks has won three NZ TV awards, for his work editing James K Baxter's documentary, The Road to Jerusalem and his work as co-editor of acclaimed quake chronicle, When a City Falls. He also directed on hit series Heartland.  Sparks' introduction to editing was working as an assistant on the Vincent Ward classic, In Spring One Plants Alone. Since then he has edited drama, dance films, many documentaries, music videos and commercials.

WRITER-Mary Sewell

New Zealander Mary Sewell, currently resides in Madison, Wisconsin, USA.  A professional violinist for over thirty years, Mary began working in production for independent film and recently found her voice in screen writing. 

PRODUCER - Kath Thomas

Kathleen Thomas has a 25 year career in the film industry as Script Supervisor and Script Editor, working along side directors on 32 features, 19 shorts and TV drama series including - Whale Rider, In My Father’s Den, The Grudge (Japan), Deadlands, The Vintner’s Luck (France), Mr Pip (Bougainville), The Dark Horse, The Orator, 6 Days, Top Of The Lake Season 1&2, One Thousand Ropes. Kath made an independent documentary film Notes In The Wood earlier this year. As director and producer of her own work she has more recently become interested in the role of producing, taking up this offer as co-producer on Let Your Sisters Be - lured by the simplicity and sensitivity of Mary Sewell’s story.

ADVISOR / FUNDING PRODUCER - 

Harriet Sewell

Harriet’s 30 year career in International Development and Aid was born out of her curiosity of other cultures and desire to be part of a movement for justice, fairness and equality. She has worked with both International Non-Government Organisations (NGO’s) and National NGO’s with a focus on programme development, learning systems and governance. Harriet has significant experience in South East Asia and the Pacific. More recently Harriet spent five years in the role of Organisation Development Manager at HELP, Auckland and whose mission statement is “A world Free of Sexual Violence”. Harriet is a member of the Tear Fund New Zealand Board of Trustees (7 Years).

In 2013, Harriet heard of Mary’s desire to write the script for a short film based on her childhood experience of sexual abuse. She immediately saw the potential that such a film could have for change; a part of the jigsaw, bringing the silenced suffering and ongoing consequences of sexual abuse into the light and validating the experiences of other survivors of sexual abuse.

We are in this together. Parents and/ or caregivers need the tools to be able to “hear” their children and take action. And children need to feel secure that they can tell their adults about what is happening to them, how they feel and have the understanding that if the first adult does not “hear” them, to keep telling another adult until they are heard. This film encompasses one woman’s journey with the desire to break the silence, affirm others experiences and be part of the solution. Let Our Sisters Be is a wakeup call; a thoughtfully written and beautifully crafted story for all of us. We are all responsible to take our part in ensuring a world free of sexual violence and rape. WE are called to be guardians of our children.