Thistle Films is a video production company based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, specialising in behind-the-scenes, oral history and short form documentary storytelling.

Kate Parker - Paper Worlds. Artist in Residence video.

Clients include:

COMVITA / BLUR THE LINES

Thistle Films director Kirsty MacDonald shot and edited the behind-the-scenes elements for this “making of” video launching the Comvita Wellness Lab in 2021.

AUCKLAND BOTANIC GARDENS

Every two years, twenty Aotearoa New Zealand artists are selected to show works in the Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition over summer. For the 2021/22 exhibition (during varying levels of Covid lockdown) Kirsty MacDonald created 22 behind-the-scenes videos with the Sculpture in the Gardens artists.

AUCKLAND COUNCIL

Thistle Films director Kirsty MacDonald has created the annual Artist in Residence films for Auckland Council since 2011. Thistle Films has also produced over 30 regional parks videos exploring the landscape and stories of our incredible parks network.

CLAIRE COWAN / BLACKBIRD ENSEMBLE

Formed in 2010, The Blackbird Ensemble has produced 8 different theatrical shows, led by the group’s unstoppable musical director and arranger, Claire Cowan. For several years, Kirsty MacDonald and her camera were there behind the scenes to capture the magic of the rehearsal and production processes.

YUKI KIHARA / CREATIVE NEW ZEALAND

In 2022 interdisciplinary artist Yuki Kihara represented Aotearoa New Zealand at the Venice Biennale with her exhibition Paradise Camp. In collaboration with Kihara, Kirsty MacDonald created the Paradise Camp “Virtual Explore” website videos, as well as several videos included in the exhibition.

WAIKATO HOSPITAL ART TRUST

In 2022 Thistle Films worked with Waikato Hospital Art curator Kate Darrow to create several videos for the launch and promotion of the Waikato Hospital Art Trust. One video featured the unveiling and blessing of Brett Graham’s sculpture 37 47 S 175 17 E.

Photo / Shaun Lee.

Thistle Films was created in 2009 by award winning filmmaker Kirsty MacDonald.

With a focus on the Arts, the Environment, Heritage and Social History, Thistle Films creates engaging stories of people and place.