Elinor Teele is a versatile storyteller whose work spans novels, screenplays, and now short films. Her recent directorial debut, Pulling Up Stumps, is a New Zealand short film featuring Ian Mune and Mark Mitchinson, with cinematography by Alun Bollinger NZCS. Set amidst the dust and shadows of a Central Otago woolshed, the film tells the story of a grumpy old man who is obliged to listen to a humorous tale from a meddlesome stranger.

We had the opportunity to sit down with Elinor to discuss her creative process, inspirations, and upcoming projects.

Planet 13, directed by Wānaka-based Joe Murdie, offers a stark look at humanity’s self-destructive patterns, reimagined on a fictional planet in 2093. Joe, primarily a cinematographer, took on the roles of both writer and director for the short film, delving into themes of environmental complacency and survival. In this interview, Joe shares his journey of creating Planet 13, from using Central Otago’s landscapes to shape its setting to building a collaborative team that brought the ambitious sci-fi narrative to life on a limited budget.