Arezou Zalipour

Arezou is a film scholar who loves learning, thinking, theorising and making. She has worked in a variety of roles in higher education in different countries for more than 23 years.
Focusing on the ways in which migration, diaspora and socio-cultural diversity are shaping New Zealand society and the film industry, Arezou’s project offered an innovative insight into New Zealand film through the first conceptualisation of ‘Asian New Zealand cinema’ inaugurating diasporic film and filmmaking in New Zealand.
Arezou's book Migrant and Diasporic Film and Filmmaking in New Zealand (2019) expanded her research on Asian New Zealanders' films and filmmaking by engaging the screen production and practices of the Pacific communities and other diasporas in New Zealand.
Her research impact has led to an industry appointment ( Oct 2020- ongoing) in the Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Group at New Zealand Film Commission, to develop and implement D&I policy framework for the media production sectors in the country.
She is also the Director of AUT Centre for Screen Practice Research (SPR@AUT).