Matthew Canlas is a Wellington-based filmmaker and writer with a passion for telling strong dramatic stories across all genres. 

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Matthew’s graduate short film, The Feast, which he co-wrote and edited, was a finalist in the NZ Best Design Awards and screened in sixteen film festivals across the US, UK and Canada. After completing a Bachelor of Creative Media Production at Massey University, Matthew came 2nd in the 2022 NYC Midnight Screenwriting Challenge out of over 1500 writers and won the Best Short Screenplay Award at the 2023 NZ Vision Feast Film Festival. He was shortlisted for The Write Room Wellington Screenwriter Residency in 2024.

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Outside of writing, Matthew has worked as a camera operator and editor on a variety of short films, music videos and documentaries. He has videography experience filming concerts and events, as well as a keen interest in photography and graphic design. Matthew also holds a user qualification in Da Vinci Resolve 17.

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Matthew is always keen to collaborate and join new projects, so get in touch!