Louise Leitch

Louise Leitch grew up in Australia and graduated from Canberra University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media. At the age of 23 Louise was running an in-house production unit for the Australian Commonwealth Government directing drama and factual programs on issues such as child care, homelessness, disabilities, Aboriginal health and community services for rural and outback settlements.

Her programs won national and international awards including a Gold and Silver Mobie from the International Television Association and a Certificate of Creative Excellence from the US Film and Video Festival. From here, Louise embarked on a successful television drama directing career. She directed close to 200 episodes of some of Australia's most iconic dramas such as Home & Away and Breakers.

While television drama is a fantastic discipline, Louise hankered to make projects for the big screen, so when love beckoned from across the Tasman Sea, Louise was not entirely unhappy about walking away from her Australian television career and moving to New Zealand. The move has been the impetus to act on her passion for film and she has been proactive in creating opportunities and forging relationships with key collaborators.

Louise's second short film is Whakatiki and it reflects her desire to direct powerful, character-driven drama. Her next short film was Blankets.

Floodlight Film Productions