Chelsea Winstanley

Film Producer

Filmmaker Chelsea Winstanley (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi te Rangi) has had remarkable success both here in Aotearoa and overseas. Projects like Tame Iti – The Man Behind the Moko, Waru, What We do in the Shadows and Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen; Chelsea’s collection of work celebrates our indigenous peoples. 

In 2020 Chelsea was nominated for an Oscar for producing Jojo Rabbit, becoming the first indigenous female producer to be nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award. 

After 4 years in Los Angeles Chelsea has returned home to film a feature documentary Toi Tu Toi Ora – Visual Sovereignty. A documentary about the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki’s forthcoming exhibition, showcasing the most comprehensive survey of contemporary Māori art to be presented in New Zealand in recent history.

Chelsea’s passion for indigenous story telling is reflected in the work that she creates, inspired by leader’s of our time the likes of Mereata Mita, Chelsea continues down the path lain before us, pathing ahead for those who ensue. 

This is her story.
Indigenous 100 – Chelsea Winstanley