Bio

Craig Gainsborough is an award-winning international film producer and filmmaker from New Zealand, widely recognized for his innovative and ethical approach to film and television production. With a diverse portfolio of producing credits, Craig has earned critical acclaim for his work on the transgender feature film and TV series, Rūrangi, which won the 2022 International Emmy for Best Short-Form Series, as well as numerous other awards at international film festivals.

Craig is a passionate advocate for empowering underrepresented voices and minorities in all stages of production. His commitment to social impact and sustainability led him to co-found Greenlit, New Zealand’s industry-led screen sustainability organization, which creates sustainable practices and promotes ethical standards.

Prior to working as an independent film producer, Craig worked as Executive Producer for NZ Media & Entertainment, Senior Producer for WPP owned brand agency Designworks and producing TV commercials for 10 years.

Craig’s first documentary short film, Candles of Aotearoa, received a human rights award, and he has continued to achieve international festival success with his other shorts, including Ten Thousand Days (dir: Michael Duignan), Tide (dir: Adam King), Thicket (dir: Julian Vares), and Stay – which he also directed. In addition to his film work, Craig has produced several documentary series, including Road to Rhythm, which explores the turbulent story of the formation of the Rhythm and Vines music festival, and Luckie Strike, an underground production exploring the world of speleology in New Zealand.

Beyond his creative work, Craig is completing his latest degree, a masters in commercial law, and regularly shares his experiences and advice on production values, ethics, and inclusivity through panel discussions and interviews. His dedication to meaningful projects with social impact continues to inspire and influence the film industry.