Filmmaker
Vanilla Tupu
Vanilla Tupu is an AACTA and ARIA nominated filmmaker, specializing in directing, writing, and developing innovative film and television projects. As part of the development team at Wooden Horse, she works across the company’s slate, guiding projects through every stage of the development pipeline.
Vanilla has carved out a name for herself as a prominent creative in the Pasifika film world, having built a reputation for culturally significant and impactful work. She served as Associate Director on Nel Minchin’s ABC documentary about Israel Folau and line-produced the Netflix documentary OneFour: Against All Odds, which reached number 2 on the platform, within 24 hours of release. Last year, Vanilla directed the AACTA-nominated series Bad Ancestors - the first Pacific-led project to be commissioned by a major Australian broadcaster.
At Wooden Horse, Vanilla continues to champion Pasifika creativity, weaving her passion for authentic representation across the slate. Guided by alofa (love), her work is laser focused on creating nuanced representation for the people that exist in the margins.

