Gilly Lawrence

Specialising in lighting Gilly Lawrence has spent 3 decades behind the scenes in the New Zealand film industry working on both local and international productions. He has worked on more than 1,000 commercials, short films, and music videos, with gaffer credits on acclaimed Aotearoa films such as Boy (2010), Muru (2022), and Bookworm (2023). His international credits include The Wilds (Amazon Prime, 2020), The Luminaries (BBC, 2019), and the hit Australian series 800 Words (2016).

In recent years, Gilly has expanded into cinematography, applying his deep technical knowledge and creative eye to a variety of projects, from commercial pack shots to short films and television series. His career reflects a passion for visual storytelling, a commitment to craft, and a collaborative spirit. Gilly is honoured to bring his industry expertise and artistic insight to the judging panel of this year’s festival.