Award-winning independent documentary filmmaker Robin Greenberg has been based in Aotearoa New Zealand on and off since the late 1980s. Her passion is for bringing long-form documentaries on inspirational people and stories to light, with a special interest in the arts, human-interest stories, the environment, and human rights.
Robin’s filmmaking journey began in Boston and New York City, where she apprenticed with video artist pioneer Douglas Davis on Ménage à Trois, which premiered at the Venice Biennale. Her love for experimental film was further deepened upon meeting and working with renowned director Godfrey Reggio in Santa Fe, New Mexico, who’s been her long-time mentor. A highlight was working on his award-winning 35mm film ANIMA MUNDI, the campaign piece on biodiversity for the UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Robin’s international film and video experience has also taken her to northern India to work with the Tibetan government-in-exile and community, and to Kosovo and Sri Lanka with the United Nations.
Robin has directed and produced seven independent documentary films which have premiered at the New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) and screened internationally. Her most recent film, MO TE IWI – Carving for the People (NZIFF 2019), represents the last in a trilogy of films initiated by her mentor the late Māori master weaver, Erenora Puketapu-Hetet. Her other films include: TEAM TIBET – Home away from Home (NZIFF, 2017), Return of the Free China Junk (NZIFF 2015), The Free China Junk (NZIFF 2010), Huloo (NZIFF 2008), He Waka Hono Tangata / A Canoe that Unites the People (NZIFF 2005), TU TANGATA: Weaving for the People (NZIFF 2000).
Robin’s latest feature documentary is Grant Sheehan: Light, Ghosts & Dreams, on the life and art of New Zealand avant-garde photographer and publisher, Grant Sheehan. The film celebrated its world premiere at Whānau Marama: New Zealand International Film Festival 2023.
View the trailers
Grant Sheehan: Light, Ghosts & Dreams trailer:
https://youtu.be/4QmtE-fKLio
MO TE IWI: Carving for the People trailer:
https://vimeo.com/338578221
TEAM TIBET: Home away from Home trailer:
https://vimeo.com/224592838
Return of the Free China Junk trailer:
https://vimeo.com/133883268