Naarm-based Writer and Director Annelise Hickey has built a career spanning music videos, commercials, content and film steeped in narrative story and tales of belonging. Her short-film ‘Hafekasi’ premiered at NYC’s 2023 Tribeca Film Festival, was awarded the Best Narrative Short Special Jury Mention and she won Emerging Australian Director at Melbourne International Film Festival in 2023. Her most recent short film ‘Stranger, Brother’ premiered at Sundance 2025.

Being of Tongan and Irish heritage, Annelise has always been drawn to stories about place, identity and community. She has an incredible instinct for understanding people and an ability to connect with talent of all ages that results in pieces that are honest, compelling and beautiful. Annelise is heavily influenced by art and cinema that is daring and has something meaningful to say.

She hopes her visual storytelling speaks to younger generations and they see themselves reflected in the Australian media landscape.