Lauren Porteous

In 2017 Lauren Porteous definitively proved that she could direct, as well as act, when she became the first woman to win long-running Kiwi film contest 48Hours. Alongside winning with drama Under the Bridge that year, Porteous completed another short film, Motel. Like her award-winning web series Loner, it was invited to multiple international festivals. Porteous began as an actor in the 1990s. While living in New York, she studied at the prestigious Neighbourhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. Her screen roles include Shortland Street and legal drama Dear Murderer. In 2022 she returned to the Street  — as a director.

There's really no cost, other than your health — like I said, you barely sleep. But you learn so much and if you're really keen on being a filmmaker, then you should really learn by doing. Lauren Porteous on competing in the 48Hours film contest, on the HP 48Hours podcast, November 2017