Justine Simei-Barton
Porirua-born Justine Simei-Barton formed the Pacific Theatre company in 1987, while doing a Bachelor of Arts in Auckland. It was the first of its kind in Aotearoa. Later she directed three episodes of pioneering Pasifika drama series Tala Pasifika, then turned one of them, Matou Oma, into another breakthrough showcase of Pasifika talent. Good Hands: Lima Lelei — about a South Auckland netball team — was nominated for Best Drama at the 2005 NZ Screen Awards. Simei-Barton spent seven years trying to get it made. Two of her shorts have competed at the Berlin Film Festival: The Trophy, and Snow in Paradise (co-directed with Nikki Si'ulepa).
The creative process brought my soul to life, and that was the deciding factor. Justine Simei-Barton on deciding to leave law studies behind after staging a hit play, The NZ Herald, 15 November 2007
Daughters of the Pacific
2005, Camera, Research - Television
Good Hands - Lima Lelei - First Episode
2003, Creator, Director, Writer, Producer - Television
Good Hands - Lima Lelei
2003, Director, Writer, Producer, Director - Television
Tala Pasifika - The Overstayer
2000, Director, Producer - Television
Tala Pasifika - Matou Uma
1999, Director - Television
Inside Out
2002, Director - Television
Tala Pasifika
1996 - 2000, Director - Television
Tala Pasifika - A Day in the Life
1996, Casting , Associate Coordinator - Television
Tala Pasifika - Brown Sugar
1996, Director, Casting - Television
Tala Pasifika - Talk of the Town
1995, Associate Co-ordinator - Television
Tala Pasifika - The Cat's Crying
1995, Casting, Associate Coordinator, Writers Committee - Television
Tala Pasifika - The Hibiscus
1995, Casting , Associate Coordinator, Writers Committee - Television