The New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) is delighted to announce the latest recipient of its International Placement initiative, with filmmaker Dana Leaming selected for a six-month placement at Picking Scabs, where she joined the company in March as a Creative Producer.
A joint venture production company between See-Saw Films and showrunner Samantha Strauss, Sydney-based Picking Scabs is known for addictive stories that dig deep into personal, societal, and structural wounds.
Dana (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa) is an award-winning wāhine Māori filmmaker. Her debut series Not Even premiered on Sky New Zealand in early 2023, earning her the NZ Television Award for Best Comedy Script. She returned as showrunner and codirector for Season 2 in 2024.
She has written across New Zealand television, including Madam, Warren’s Vortex and Ahikāroa Season 7. Her short film Daisy Does Lunch premiered at the 2024 Māoriland Film Festival and screened at Finland’s Skábmagovat Film Festival. She is currently developing the series A Cat Called Fred and her first feature film.
Reflecting on securing NZFC’s International Placement, Dana said, “Kua tau taku aho ki te au whaihanga e rere nei (My hook has been cast into the creative currents that flow here). I am incredibly humbled to be working with Picking Scabs and Seesaw Films across the ditch in Sydney. I have always been a big fan of Australian film so to get an opportunity to learn from some of the best is such an exciting prospect. As an emerging filmmaker in a fast-changing cinematic landscape it can be hard to know the most effective way to build your work. This international placement puts me at the heart of learning from larger scale industry, brilliant minds and establishing strong connections. I can’t wait to take it all in.”
Shay Spencer, executive producer at SeeSaw Films/Picking Scabs, said, “We’re delighted to welcome Dana Leaming to Picking Scabs and See-Saw Films through this six-month placement. Great writing is at the heart of everything we do, and Dana is a compelling writer with a distinctive voice who we’re excited to support as she works across our international development slate. We’re grateful to the New Zealand Film Commission for backing initiatives like this that support the next generation of Kiwi storytellers to hone their craft and set them up to create work that stands alongside the best in the world.”
NZFC is also opening a new International Placement with Sydney based production company Lantern Pictures. Founded in 2024 by writer and showrunner Sarah Lambert, director Jane Manning and former-Foxtel media executive Andrew Lambert, Lantern Pictures places writers and creatives at the centre of storytelling.
NZFC’s Lantern Picture International Placement opportunity offers a six-month role designed for an experienced writer with a strong interest in television development. The successful applicant will gain hands‑on experience working across Lantern’s diverse slate, with a particular focus on developing television drama from concept through to execution, within an award‑winning team.
“Our International Placements initiative gives New Zealand creatives the chance to step into different industry contexts, build meaningful relationships, and bring fresh perspectives back to our local screen industry,” said Ainsley Gardiner, NZFC Head of Funding.
“This placement offers the opportunity to work with established Australian industry figures and experience a showrunner‑driven production model (more commonly seen in the United States), giving the selected applicant unique insight into a different way of working.”
Applications for NZFC’s Lantern Pictures International Placement are open now, closing on Monday 11 May 2026, 1pm. Click here for the role description and to apply.
