James Napier Robertson is a renowned New Zealand director and writer, whose illustrious career began with his work as a theatre actor in Shakespeare productions, eventually transitioning into television roles in the early 2000s.
As he entered his twenties, Robertson's passion for storytelling led him to begin writing and directing short films, before making his feature film debut in 2009 with 'I'm Not Harry Jenson', which garnered a nomination for Best Feature Film at the New Zealand Film and TV Awards.
Fast-forward to 2014, Robertson wrote and directed his second feature film, 'The Dark Horse', starring Cliff Curtis and James Rolleston, which opened the 2014 New Zealand International Film Festival and received widespread critical acclaim, earning a 5-star rating from the NZ Herald, with National Radio Review declaring it "one of the best New Zealand films ever made".
The film premiered internationally at the Toronto International Film Festival 2014, with Variety praising it as "exceptional...the most deserving cinematic export to emerge from New Zealand in years". 'The Dark Horse' was subsequently released worldwide in 2015.
In 2016, Robertson's work received a significant boost when his film was presented theatrically in the United States by James Cameron, and later that year, it was formally screened at the White House for then-President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
In addition to his feature film work, Robertson has also made a mark in television, writing and directing two episodes of the Australian mini-series Romper Stomper in 2018, which went on to win the Most Outstanding Miniseries award at the 2018 Logie Awards.
Throughout his career, Robertson has consistently demonstrated his talent for crafting compelling stories and bringing them to life on the big and small screens, solidifying his position as a respected and accomplished figure in the world of filmmaking.
