Director and writer awarded Young Alumna of the Year

Director and writer awarded Young Alumna of the Year

New Zealand Chinese writer and director Roseanne Liang has been named the University of Auckland’s Young Alumna of the Year.

Roseanne is a screen writer and film director. Her first feature film, My Wedding and Other Secrets, was the highest grossing local film in 2011.

Based on her award-winning autobiographical documentary, Banana in a Nutshell, My Wedding and Other Secrets won Best Feature Screenplay award at the 2012 Aotearoa Film and TV Awards.

Rosanne completed a BA BSc 2000, and went on to complete a Masters of Creative and Performing Arts at the University in 2003.

She credits her achievements to the University's Film TV and Media Studies staff including Dr Margaret Henley, Professor Annie Goldson, Professor Roger Horrocks, Postgraduate Advisor Vanessa Alexander and Dr Shuchi Kothari.

“These are the people who convinced me to try and make a career out of film.”

“They were so passionate about the craft of film making. I was just inspired and egged on by them to make a go of it, she says.”

Roseanne has kept close ties with the University since her graduation and often guest lectures for Dr Kothari.

She also delivered the keynote address at the Autumn Graduation in 2010 in which she spoke of her own journey into a Bachelor of Arts instead of the degree in medicine that she was going to do.

“I talked about how a degree in the humanities is a brave step, possibly one of the bravest things you can do with a degree. Putting your eagerness and passion on the line and stepping out into the great unknown… foolhardiness, some might say! It’s that risk that I admire in others, and risk I would like to take myself.”

“I feel like I am very much at the beginning. I feel like there’s so much more that I can learn and do. To have this award so early in my career is an honour.”

The 35-year old is now working on the third series of awarding-winning website comedy Flat3 and working on her second feature film.

Roseanne and the five winners of the Distinguished Alumni Awards will be honoured at a gala dinner at Old Government House on Friday March 14th.

ENDS

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