ABOUT US.
An independent Australian and New Zealand film production company dedicated to crafting captivating and entertaining films, celebrating the richness of local talent while providing a cinematic sanctuary for creativity to thrive.
OUR VALUES
An independent Australian and New Zealand film production company dedicated to crafting captivating and entertaining films, celebrating the richness of local talent while providing a cinematic sanctuary for creativity to thrive.
OUR PEOPLE
ARI HARRISON
DIRECTOR & OWNER
Ari Harrison is the General Manager at Umbrella Entertainment and the Director and Owner of Sanctuary Pictures Pty Ltd.
As one of Australia’s leading independent film distributors, Umbrella manages rights for film content spanning multiple platforms, including Theatrical, VOD, Home Entertainment, TV and Ancillary. In his role as the company’s General Manager, Ari is across all of these areas, with specific emphasis on determining the financial and artistic viability of both local and international productions for theatrical release.
Ari is an Executive and Co-Producer on various Australian feature films including upcoming; TALK TO ME (Sundance 2023), THE SURVIVAL OF KINDNESS (Berlin 2023), YOU’LL NEVER FIND ME (Tribeca Midnight 2023) SPEEDWAY, HEADCOUNT, THE MOOGAI and TIME ADDICTS.
His previous Executive Producer credits include 2067 (Kodi Smit-McPhee, Ryan Kwanten) and MEASURE FOR MEASURE (Netflix Original, Hugo Weaving). Ari has been involved in the development, financing, production and distribution of all titles as an Executive Producer.
JULIE RYAN
PRODUCER
Julie Ryan is a prolific award winning Australian feature film producer who has produced, co-produced or executive produced, 16 feature films over her 20+ year career with many of her films being officially selected for all major A List international film festivals.
Her achievements include “H is for Happiness” which received a Special Mention by the Children’s Jury in the Generation Kplus section of the Berlin International Film Festival 2020, and won the prestigious 2019 Cinefest Oz Film Prize; “Hotel Mumbai”, the most successful Australian film to release internationally in 2019; the Australian box office smash hit “Red Dog” in 2011; and “Ten Canoes”, the Un Certain Regard Special Jury Prize winner at the Cannes International Film Festival in 2006. She has received eight Best Film nominations at the AFI/AACTA awards over her career including nominations for “H is for Happiness” and “Hotel Mumbai”, and won for “Red Dog” and “Ten Canoes”. In 2023 she was the Executive Producer on the much praised SXSW selected horror film “Late Night With The Devil”.
JASMIN MCSWEENEY
PRODUCER
Jasmin McSweeney, based in Wellington, New Zealand, joined Sanctuary Pictures in February 2024. Jasmin brings a wealth of experience to our team, having served for over a decade as the Head of Marketing at Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga – the New Zealand Film Commission. In this pivotal role, Jasmin was responsible for the promotion and marketing of New Zealand films both within the country and on the global stage.
Her tenure at the NZFC saw her working closely with filmmakers, distributors, film festivals, and international market partners. Jasmin played a key role in crafting the festival strategies and release plans for all feature films funded by the NZFC. Her influence can be seen in the successful marketing campaigns and theatrical releases of 13 of the top 20 New Zealand films, including iconic titles such as HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE, BOY, THE WORLD’S FASTEST INDIAN, SAVAGE, CHASING GREAT, BLACK SHEEP and THE DARK HORSE.
In recognition of her contribution to the film industry, Jasmin was honoured as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Film in 2022. She is currently a director on the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA) Board.
OUR PARTNERS
We are an independent company that is supported by a unique network of relationships with the industry’s top partners in their respective categories.
Established in 2001 as a home entertainment company by Managing Director, Jeff Harrison, Umbrella Entertainment has been a fixture on the theatrical landscape in Australia and New Zealand since 2009.
We acquire international and Australian feature films and documentaries from conceptual stage to finished products. Umbrella’s commitment to release is second to none, with a dedicated theatrical sales and marketing team delivering tailored campaigns for the full life of each title from theatrical release.