SARAH CULL
ENTERTAINMENT LAWYER
Sarah is an entertainment lawyer with over 20 years experience in the film and television industry. Clients include producers, government funders, private financiers, post-production facilities, directors, writers, distributors, animation studios.
Based in Wellington, New Zealand, Sarah provides a wide range of legal services in relation to the development, production, distribution and exploitation of film, TV and online productions. She also gives advice on New Zealand’s screen incentives and co-productions.
Prior to setting up her legal practice, Sarah was Head of Business Affairs at the New Zealand Film Commission for five years. During her time at the New Zealand Film Commission Sarah managed New Zealand’s screen incentive programs for film and television. She was instrumental in setting up the first set of criteria for New Zealand’s domestic incentive program. Sarah has also worked as an in-house production lawyer for film and television companies and has served on the board of Film New Zealand.
Sarah is a member of WIFT and a trustee of Script to Screen. She is passionate about great films and TV, dogs and yoga.
Productions on which Sarah has worked
(either as producer’s or financier’s lawyer) include:
FILMS
The Weed Eaters, Marlon Williams Ngā Ao E Rua - Two Worlds, The Mountain, The Moon is Upside Down, We Were Dangerous, Baby Done, Bellbird, Cousins, Helen Kelly: Together, Shear, Tickled, Coming Home in the Dark, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, The Breaker Upperers, One Thousand Ropes, The Rehearsal, Kiwi Christmas, Caterpillar, Slow West, Antarctica: A Year on Ice, The Dark Horse, Boy, Rain of the Children, The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls, The Vintner’s Luck, The World’s Fastest Indian
TV/WEB SERIES
Kiri and Lou, After the Party, Bad Jelly, Small Town Scandal, Thunderbirds Are Go!, Cleverman, Aroha Bridge, The Choir Games, I Spy With My Five Eyes, Not Even, Dark Tourist
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TESTIMONIALS
"Sarah Cull has been an extraordinary support during the making of my first feature film, Northland. It's a project I don't believe would be happening without her incredible work. Sarah was enormously helpful navigating the complexities of closing and contracting and provided invaluable legal advice across the process, support that was matched by her warmth and humour. I cannot speak highly enough of her and would recommend her unreservedly to anyone embarking on the foolhardy and thrilling adventure of film-making. At the risk of being sued for copyright infringement Sarah is "Simply the Best.”
ORLANDO STEWART / PRODUCER
"I love working with Sarah because she gets straight to the nub of the issues and finds solutions that everyone is happy with. It’s a miracle."
FIONA COPLAND / PRODUCER
"Sarah is a key advisor to our business, she is extremely capable with a wealth of experience that we have used extensively. I would not have any hesitation in recommending Sarah to future clients."
CLIVE SPINK / CEO / PUKEKO PICTURES
"Sarah has been a great asset working across clearance, production financing, legals and sales deals and licensing. She is always pragmatic in negotiations and works towards solutions."
CARTHEW NEAL / PRODUCER
"The best thing about Sarah is that she is very solutions-focused and ensures that not only do you have all necessary agreements in place at every stage of development and production, but that you only spend time and effort on the points that really matter."
CATHERINE FITZGERALD / BLUESKIN FILMS
GET IN ToUCH
contact
I love to work alongside my clients and get to know their business. Please feel free to contact me at any time to discuss your next project.
Fees: I usually charge on an hourly basis but am happy to work on a fixed fee basis for production financing work.