Director: Curtis Vowell

Born in: Cook Islands
Biography: Curtis Vowell is a Cook Island Maori director who has worked in the New Zealand film industry for the last 20 years. His debut feature film Fantail (2013) was nominated for 8 New Zealand Film Awards and was invited to have its international premiere at Rotterdam International Film Festival. The film was also selected for the Melbourne International Film Festival, winning a People’s Choice award. His second feature film Baby Done (2020) with Taika Waititi and Carthew Neal’s Piki Films stars Rose Matafeo and Matthew Lewis. Since 2020 Curtis has been directing NZ hospital drama Shortland Street.