Webinar: Behind the lens: Exploring moral injury and pathways to healing in Aotearoa New Zealand’s film industry

What happens when the creative act causes harm? This webinar explores moral injury in Aotearoa New Zealand’s film industry - an under-recognised but significant issue for cast and crew working with distressing or ethically confronting content. Drawing on research from When the Camera Cuts and ongoing PhD work, Kevin Denholm shares insights from interviews with filmmakers affected by violent, sexually explicit, or culturally insensitive material. The session unpacks the psychological, ethical and cultural pressures unique to the film industry in Aotearoa, and proposes a pathway forward. Kevin introduces FilmChaplain, an on-location chaplaincy model offering culturally responsive care. This innovative approach blends creative practice with research to establish sustainable support structures for those navigating trauma in the screen sector.

Kevin Denholm is a PhD candidate at the University of Otago whose research explores moral injury within Aotearoa New Zealand’s film industry. With over three decades of experience as a director, writer and co-founder of Exposure International, Kevin has led major commercial campaigns alongside humanitarian film projects across more than 50 countries. His work engages themes of justice, trauma and resilience, particularly within vulnerable or marginalised communities. Ordained within the Anglican Church, he also pioneered FilmChaplain - Aotearoa’s first film industry chaplaincy, providing on-location pastoral support for cast and crew. Kevin’s research integrates creative practice, chaplaincy and critical inquiry to examine the ethical and psychological challenges faced by film industry professionals. His work is grounded in cross-disciplinary methodologies and draws on indigenous and theological frameworks to propose culturally informed models of care for those working in high-stakes, emotionally demanding creative environments.

All are welcome to attend. To receive the Teams link, please register at Eventbrite.