NAME:
Sima Urale
BIRTHPLACE:
Savai’i, Samoa
KNOWN FOR:
A New Zealand award-winning and critically acclaimed Director. Urale has written and directed her own films, documentaries, music videos and television commercials.
SHORT BIO / CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
In 1989, Urale graduated from Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School where she had studied acting.
Urale studied film making at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne, Australia. At film school, she won Student of the Year Award. In 1994, she graduated with a B.A. in Arts, Film & Television.
New Zealand On Air for contribution to music video making
Creative New Zealand Pacific Innovation & Excellence Award
Fulbright-Creative New Zealand Pacific Writers’ Residency at the University of Hawaii
Silver Lion for Short Film at the Venice Film Festival
Best Short at the New Zealand Film and TV Awards
Prize won at the Chicago Film Festival
Best Documentary Award at Canada’s Yorkton International Film Festival
Special Mention Award at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland
Received three awards at the local Drifting Clouds International Film Festival for Best Director, Best Script, and Best Art Department
Received four awards at the Qantas Film & TV Awards for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Cinematography and Best Designer