T.M-H
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, including Umuzimu (Spirit), written and directed by Santilla Chingaipe (Our African Roots) and produced by Robert Connolly (Blueback) and Tessa.
Other projects include Safe Hands — writer/director Dannika Horvat (Triple Swear), The Willing —writer/director Lucy Knox (Hot Mother), and writer/director Sam Odlum (Time Addicts).
At Exile Entertainment, Tessa produced three feature films within three years, starting in 2020. Time Addicts (2023, Umbrella Entertainment/Netflix Australia) was released in cinemas nationwide and was the winner of Best Australian Feature Film at the 2023 Monsterfest. Voices in Deep (2023), starring Angeliki Papoulia (The Lobster), selected for SXSW SYDNEY, THESSALONAKI FF and MIFF. Slant (2022)’, starring Sigrid Thornton, had a limited theatrical release across Australia. Her recent short film Stranger, Brother is having its world premiere at the SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL, with End Pointe premiering at FLICKERFEST in 2025.
Her portfolio boasts ARIA-nominated music videos (Sampa the Great, Amy Shark). Short Films showcased at major Australian and international film festivals. Tessa's collaborations extend to multimedia projects such as the video projection design for David Bowie's musical 'Lazarus' with award-winning director Natasha Pincus.
Her long-form credits include the AACTA-nominated Venice Film Festival premiering West of Sunshine (VENICE INT FF), the Screen Australia-supported horror anthology Dark Place (MIFF), and the documentary The Art of Incarceration (NETFLIX).
Tessa has been selected for professional development programs, including a production placement in 2016 through Vicscreen on The Doctor Blake Mysteries (ABC) as an Assistant Production Coordinator. In 2021, she participated in the SBS and Screen Australia-funded 'Digital Originals' initiative, developing the queer web series Unicorn Hunters with creator Rae Perks.
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.