Australia
Tessa is a recognised producer, selected as one of only 12 up-and-coming early-career producers by Screen Producers Australia’s Ones to Watch cohort for 2023, where she was mentored by Lisa Shaunessy (SISSY). In 2023, she was also featured in IF Magazine's 2024 list of Rising Talent. Tessa founded production company OLDBABY FILMS in early 2024, where she is currently developing a slate of feature films. 2025 started with a research trip to Zambia, part of development for Umuzimu (Spirit), written and directed by Santilla Chingaipe (Our African Roots) and produced by Robert Connolly (Blueback) and Tessa. Then, she took a detour to the Sundance Film Festival for her most recent short premiere, 'Stranger, Brother' by Annelise Hickey, with End Pointe premiering back home at Flickerfest. Between 2020 and 2023, she produced three feature films at Exile Entertainment, including 'Time Addicts' (2023), distributed by Umbrella Entertainment; 'Voices in Deep' (2023), showcased at MIFF and SXSW Sydney; and 'Slant' (2022). Her portfolio includes ARIA-nominated music videos and short films exhibited at major Australian and international festivals. Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Film and Digital Media from Deakin University and a Graduate Certificate in Creative Business from the Compton School at the University of Canberra. Tessa produces works across narrative short and feature films, television, online, commercials, music videos, documentaries and visual art. She also provides production consulting services including budgets and budgets assessments.
VCA Film & Television