April Phillips

April Phillips is an actress, writer, singer, director and producer of film and theatre. She was born in Coventry, England, but resides in Wellington, New Zealand. Her production company, Godiva Productions Limited, was named after the Lady Godiva legend of her hometown of Coventry.
Writer.
Phillips holds a master's degree in Scriptwriting from the International Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University of Wellington. Her theatre works are represented internationally by Playmarket. and by David Spicer Productions in Australia.
Phillips writes predominantly for theatre and film but has had two radio plays recorded by Radio New Zealand. Her most successful stage play, the modern farce "STiFF", has been produced internationally.
Phillips has won numerous awards and film festival selections for her film and theatre scripts (see "Awards" below).
Actress.
Phillips is a stage and screen actress. She is represented by Gail Cowan Management. (see "Filmography" below). She has been a member of the acclaimed women's comedy troupe Hens' Teeth since 1995.
Singer.
Phillips is a professional and recorded singer. In addition to singing in various bands and at jazz festivals her TV appearances include multiple performances on Television New Zealand's "Good Morning" Show and "Breakfast Show" and the TV satirical series "McPhail and Gadsby" alongside Jon Gadsby and David McPhail. She released her debut jazz album in 2004 and has since donated 100% of her income from that album to Make A Wish New Zealand. She recently recorded a follow up song called "What I'd Do For You" for Make A Wish New Zealand
Phillips also released an album of her own original pop songs called "Tempting Fate" and appears on a collaborative Nat King Cole tribute CD ""Unforgettable"."
Producer.
Phillips' production company Godiva Productions Limited has produced various musical stage shows including the jazz play "Blue Eyes" and the Nat King Cole tribute show "Unforgettable". More recently she produced the musical shows "The Glory of Gershwin" for the 2016 Wellington Jazz Festival and "The Retro Pack" jazz revue. She was co-producer on the short films "Utu Pihikete" and "Letter For Hope". Both films have received official selections at numerous US film festivals and won awards (see Award" below). She was executive producer on the film "REM".
Director.
Phillip's directorial debut was the award-winning sci-fi/horror short film "REM" which she also wrote and acted in. The film was officially selected for many international film festival screenings including "Fantasia", Montreal and "Horror Hound", Cincinnati, and notably at the 51st Worldfest, Houston where the film won a Platinum REMI award. Phillips's was nominated Best Director (Short Film) at the Ouchy Film Awards, Lausanne, Switzerland and Best Actress (Short Film) at the Madrid International Film Festival 2017. The film received 7 nominations at the Short Film Awards (S.O.F.I.E.S) in New York where Phillips won Best Director. Phillips short film "The Last Man on Earth" was completed in 2019 and was officially selected for Screamfest 2020, London Sci-Fi Film Festival, North Hollywood Film Festival and the 53rd Worldfest Houston where it received the Special Jury Award for Suspense/Thriller. Phillips earned an Honorable Mention as Director from the Los Angeles Film Awards (L.A.F.A) and Best Sci-Fi award, and Best Director at Festigious. The film was a finalist at the 2019 Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival.
Plays.
All works are represented by Playmarket
The Prince Edward.
In 1983 at the age of 17, Phillips was the focus of intense international media interest when she appeared in a stage production of the play Charley's Aunt opposite Prince Edward at the prestigious Wanganui Collegiate School. The Prince was a tutor at the school for two terms during his gap year. The media speculated about a romance between the pair but Phillips has always maintained that they are just friends.
References.
Article: List of New Zealand film directors