‏Gina Varela‏

Gina was born in Wellington, New Zealand to a Greek father and a Kiwi mother. These two very different landscapes and cultures were the backdrop of Gina's life. At age ten her parents started a small production company in New Zealand, producing Greek themed historical/political documentaries for the international market. All throughout her teens Gina was actively involved in each stage of production from research, to the shoot (on location in Greece) and the edit. In the dimly lit editing suite, at age fourteen Gina knew she had to be part of storytelling. She attended writing and acting classes in New York and Rome before returning to New Zealand to begin her career in the Film and Television Industry.Gina worked on many of the films and TV shows produced there including 'Xena Warrior Princess', 'Power Rangers' and the gritty NZ drama 'The Market'The strong urge to reconnect with her Greek roots led her back to Europe and she eventually settled in London where life swept her in a completely different direction. She worked briefly in the London Fashion Industry and then started her own business in Events. The recession of 2008 hit London hard and storytelling was calling her back so she 'shut up shop' in gloomy England and headed back Down Under.Gina fell back into acting immediately and was cast in the long running hospital drama 'Shortland Street'. She then played the lead role in the widely anticipated 'The Devil's Rock' and based herself in London again in order to attend the many International Film Festivals that followed. Cannes, Fantasia, San Sebastian even festivals in Japan and Norway gave Gina a unique and rather dark insight into the industry that she had been part of for so many years.She accepted her last film 'Breakfast with Jonny Wilkinson' in London before deciding it was more important to get behind the camera. Her new view on the Film Industry and the role of actors to control the masses with the messages of the elite strengthened her resolve to only be involved in works of integrity and value.Gina now lives in Athens, Greece and is immersing herself in the Cultural Arts.