Everything you might
want to ask

Film Club Aotearoa is a place for filmmakers to connect, share knowledge and discover work made in Aotearoa. Mentorship sits at its heart — connecting people early in their careers with experienced people working in the industry — alongside a growing collection of New Zealand film and a bit of club merch.

It's for people working in, entering, or developing their careers in the Aotearoa film industry — whatever your role or department.

Mentorship conversations are currently offered at no cost. Film Club may add other things over time — events, coaching, merch — but the mentorship you see here today costs nothing.

People apply to become mentors, and every application is reviewed by Film Club Aotearoa before a mentor is approved and published. It's a curated mentor community — you can't just sign up and appear in the directory.

Once your membership has been approved, you can browse the mentor directory and find someone you'd like to speak with. Click ENQUIRE, tell them a little about yourself, what you'd like to discuss and your preferred times. The mentor will receive your enquiry by email and can reply directly to you. You then arrange a suitable time for your 45-minute conversation.

No. Film Club Aotearoa doesn't use a booking calendar. You send an enquiry and, if the mentor is happy to connect, you'll arrange a time directly with them by email.

No. Mentor contact details aren't publicly displayed. Your enquiry is sent to the mentor by email, and they can choose whether to reply.

Mentorship conversations are currently offered at no cost and are based around 45 minutes.

Mentorship is primarily about knowledge, experience, craft, career development and perspective. For example:

• how a department works
• career pathways
• developing your craft
• challenges you've encountered
• lessons learned
• preparing for a role
• navigating the industry
• creative decisions
• what they wish they had known earlier

No. Film Club Aotearoa isn't a job-seeking or recruitment platform. Mentorship is about sharing knowledge, experience and perspective. Mentees shouldn't ask mentors for employment, paid work, representation, referrals or introductions.

Mentors are fitting these conversations around their own work, so a reply isn't guaranteed. Please don't follow up repeatedly — you're welcome to enquire with someone else whose experience interests you.

• Come prepared.
• Think about what you want to get from the conversation.
• Respect the mentor's time.
• Ask thoughtful questions.
• Be open to learning.
• Communicate professionally.
• Don't expect the mentor to provide work or employment.

Mentors are volunteering their time and experience. They're there to share knowledge, perspective and experience — they're not expected to provide employment, referrals, introductions or ongoing private mentoring. Mentors should communicate respectfully and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.