Is there anything Jo Randerson can’t do?

Beloved in many corners of the creative community for her constant, encouraging presence and wide skill set, Randerson is soaking in her latest success at the New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF).

Working in Tandem with fellow Wellingtonian Loren Taylor, they’ve won the NZIFF Patrons Award for Best Short Film for their film Hey Brainy Man.

Randerson told The Big Idea "This award acknowledges a beautiful piece of teamwork - it was stellar working with Jaimee Poipoi, Olivia Shanks, Adam Luxton, Paul Wedel and our kick-arse cast of Madeline McNamara, Ana Scotney, Cohen Holloway and Geronimo LaHood - plus the whole crew and team throughout this long process which got interrupted by COVID. 

"Loren Taylor is the other mainline creative power source in this film, one of the cleverest, most generous and wildest artists I have ever known, and nothing would have happened without Loren, she is a house of spiritual power. 

This award gives me a confidence boost to say - 'keep being weird, keep following your instincts, keep close to your inspiration people and sources.' 

Randerson is no stranger to success - earning admirers through many genres of the creative community and often called upon as a leader, advocate and moderator. 

She reveals "Many people have said 'you should stick to one thing' - but I am a fidgety person and like doing many things. 

"When I get confused I return to writing as a way to understand the world, and if I can't find words I try to feel it in my body as a gesture or posture, so performing is a core creative output. Objects and our relationship to them are also compelling, I'm still exploring this. 

"For me, creativity is always personal, so I really enjoy the growing genre of hybrid documentary - creative non-fiction through film (citing the likes of NZIFF film Orlando: My Political Biography) . Clown as a form also allows this balance of imagination and truth folded together."  

As you'd expect, Randerson's not about to rest on her laurels after her latest accolade.

"I have a feature idea I would like to develop and also have been working on a series idea with Kathleen Winter, who is another incredible maker. 

"Next I need to get my book Secret Art Powers out into the world! It's another project that's dragged its heels a bit. I think people will say I've been really productive this year but it represents 6 years of stalled making!

"My ambitions are to stay connected to my local community and to use projects as ways to learn together, shine, keep each other well, and have fun - to keep our Vogelmorn Bowling Club as an outpost of creativity, joy, warmth and restoration for any artists who want to hang there. I want to keep trying to meld film, theatre, activism and party together." 

Never one to miss an opportunity to advocate for the creative community, Randerson has a message for those who wield the power to make change.

Creative work is real work, like any other industry. The things we said about 'building back better' - well, that would mean some real economic and systemic change. 

"I'd love to see businesses, government departments and councils looking at ways we could support artists through our current resources - which might include opening up buildings as rehearsal or performance spaces, now that many people work from home. Or finding part-time jobs that artists could do at a good hourly rate, which means they can keep practicing their art. Or just go for the Universal Basic Income, because it's not just artists that are finding it tough out there.

"Shout out to all creative workers for surviving the last while in our sector, you are amazing and inspirational."