SISTER JOSEPHINE

A huge thank you to everyone of your for your incredible support so far especially to those who have double donated :)

We are on the home straight to raise the funds for this film so please help us by sharing with friends and family, donating and supporting our team to the finish line - help this film reach to the stars

- Ngā mihi nui

THE FILM : SISTER JOSEPHINE

Log line: Confronted by a nun, a frightened boy fights back.

Actors, Alison Bruce and newcomer Jaxon Barbarich - Campbell explore a crystalised moment of empowerment from the director's life story. Writer/director Stef Harris, producer Amanda Jenkins, cinematographer John Chrisstoffels, talented cast/crew have together created a confronting drama that aims to connect emotionally with audiences long after the credits roll.   

Sister Josephine is a story as a reflection over time and told through the lens of nostalgia. This is Maaka’s story, a forty-year-old memory, but on the ride home in the car, the audience will ponder Sister Josephine’s story. 

This story is a two-hander, honouring the age-old relationship between master and student. The Bushido code says the fighting spirit cannot be taught. The student must find it from within.

THE WRITER / DIRECTOR - STEF HARRIS

"Sister Josephine is a true childhood story. You were my teacher, my protector, you presented me with this magnificent gift. I remember you, Sister Josephine"

- Director Stef Harris  

Stef is a Pakeha/Te Arawa writer/director storyteller, who has created two short films and two award-winning independent feature films and is a published author. 

His first award-winning feature as writer-director ‘The Waimate Conspiracy’ was adapted from his debut novel about a small-town Maori land claim, winning the Wairoa Maori Film Festival as Best Feature Film, Australian Screen Producers Award Best Digital Feature Film amongst others. He was the writer/director of ‘Blue Moon’ which was in festivals from Oslo and St Tropez to Los Angeles, and in Official Selection of Cannes Cinephiles Antipodes.

THE PRODUCER - AMANDA JENKINS

Amanda has been producing scripted screen and advertising content for 23 years as a producer and line producer. She has a passion for original emotionally charged human stories to the screen with female-centric characters and has produced four award-winning short films, one of them Stef Harris’s first short (as writer) ‘A Quiet Night’, She has recently Line Produced features We Were Dangerous (SXSW, 2024) Headsouth (RIFF, 2024) and Bookworm (currently in post-production).  Amanda was selected for the Script to Screen Strength in Numbers programme (2022) and the STS Waitaha Screen story incubator (2023) along with the Screen Canberra Pitching POD programme (2023). As a Creative Producer, she currently has two feature films, and TV series in development.

THE CAST

Sister Josephine Alison Bruce 
Maaka Jaxon Barbarich-Campbell
Classmates Ezra Mataki - Rolleston
Taane Jacobs
Noah Burns
Max Wright Halafuka

THE TEAM

Writer/Director Stef Harris 
Producer Amanda Jenkins 
Cinematographer John Chrisstoffels 
Costume designer Lesley Burkes-Harding
Production designer Chris Reddington
Line producer Anna Canton
1st AD Mark Soster
2nd AD Te Whare Rangi Mihinui
Stunt Coordinator Min Windle
Fight Trainer Andy Stehlin
Performance Coach Amy Straker
Hair Makeup designer Brae Toia
1st AC Jake Stanton
2nd AC Francesca WenXiu Logan
DIT Data Wrangler Ondrej (Chucky) Najman
Gaffer Zac Beckett Knight
Best boy Daz Lovelady
Key Grip Simeon Hoggan
Script Supervisor Oliver Denman
Props buyer Gill Weavers
Sound mixer Jake Slaney 
Location unit manager Kim Georgine
Editor Judd Resnick 
Music Composer Tane Upjohn Beatson
Sound design Chris Sinclair 
Photography Dean Mackenzie
Casting Director Alice O'Donoghue
Casting Director Jane Mahoney
Graphics Madeline O’Donoghue
EPK Videographer Ryan O'Rourke

WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED SO FAR

Sister Josephine was funded through Kopere Hou - Fresh Shorts Script to Screen -The New Zealand Film Commission.  The filmmakers were supported by an incredible team to create a striking, high-production value film, with an outstanding cast and first-time child actors who shine on screen. 

Our cast and crew have given us generous in-kind support through their time and talent, production hard costs, and technical equipment for which we are very grateful.

We’ve also had generous sponsorship from Imagezone Cameras, Hirepool Vehicles, Wireless Rentals, Blue Light empowering youth program, Unit Services Assets, AJFILMS, Dark Horse Films, and Park Road Post.

We are so lucky to have a world-class team supporting the film with their amazing craft and talent, and can’t wait to share this film with the world!

THE ASK - WE CAN'T DO THIS WITHOUT YOUR HELP

SISTER JOSEPHINE has been shot and the editing is underway - but we need your help to top up production costs and complete the film with Music composition, Sound design, and Film finishing costs, for an international festival cinema release. 

TARGET

We need $10,000 to finish the project.  With a stretch goal of $15,000

With this money, we will be able to complete;

• Editing
• Colour grade
• Music Composition 
• Sound design & mix
• International Festival entries

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Boosted is an all-or-nothing platform, meaning that if we don’t reach our target goal in 30 days… we won’t receive a cent.

We invite you to be a part of this special film, and help us bring it to the screen!

We are running a 30-day crowdfunding campaign to raise the final funds to complete the film. Any donation, big or small, will be hugely appreciated. Your generous contribution will go directly towards post-production expenses.

Your donations qualify for a 33% tax credit on your donations, with a receipt automatically provided by The Arts Foundation ( A registered charity)

Every person who chooses to donate will get a special thank you and a special mention for their generosity in the film’s credits (think of your name up in lights!)

Especially during these challenging times, we want to acknowledge that not everyone can contribute monetarily. If you cannot donate - we would appreciate a share on your social media - please help spread the word, and share with family and friends!

We are excited to finish this special film and share the powerful images and story with you.

Ngā mihi nui,

Amanda and Stef