BIOGRAPHY
Tema Pua is a New Zealand director and script supervisor of Malaysian-Chinese heritage. After studying film theory at the University of Auckland, Tema worked in events and marketing for the Directors & Editors Guild of Aotearoa New Zealand for 6 years where she learnt from many local and international filmmakers. She refers to this time as her informal film school. She produced the short documentary EAST MEETS EAST, a 2017 Loading Docs film that was selected for NZIFF the same year.
She has directed two short films—IT LIES AT NIGHT, a microbudget fantasy thriller, and BYE MUM (formerly known as Cradle & Grave), a fantasy comedy-drama supported by the New Zealand Film Commission. She is interested in female-centric stories and invisible minorities set within the fantastic genres of science-fiction and fantasy.
Tema is a director and script supervisor for hire. As a director, she’s interested in new collaborations with screenwriters.
Talent Development
2023 – PASC Story, Camera, Action! with Steven Davis: Stunt directing workshop
2020 – Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts, Cradle & Grave
2020 – PASC Short Cuts development lab, Cradle & Grave
2019 – NZ On Air Pacific & Asian Storytelling Initiative
MY WORK IS INTERESTED IN EXPLORING
Life’s mysteries through motifs and metaphors
“Make visible what, without you, might perhaps never have been seen.” I treasure this quote by director Robert Bresson.
While a lot of my work is invested in making intangible things palpable with the help of genre, I can’t resist an entertaining murder mystery project!
Imperfect people trying to do good
I tell stories about messy characters dealing with the messes they’ve created or inherited. I’m also passionate about seeing more female protagonists on screen.
Leading with grace
My job is to make the best film I can — by striving to be gracious and to create a space that brings out the best in my collaborators.
