Sweetshop gains the broad-ranging talent of director, Kate Halpin

Kate Halpin, Sweetshop’s newest director for Australian representation, has a background as a production designer. It still colours her work, giving it a bold and striking aesthetic that attracts attention. Her eye for detail gives her work impact and her range is remarkable. She is equally at home producing quirky stylised comedy as she is dark, gritty drama.

She is also a trained actor and this enables her to draw appealing, nuanced performances from the actors she uses.

Halpin has directed TV commercials across Australia and internationally for brands such as Hyundai, Uber, Arnott’s Tim Tams, P&O Cruises, NSW Health, RAA and UEFA World Cup. She recently picked up a Cannes Silver Lion and an ADG Best Director award for her work. Her films have screened at over thirty-five festivals worldwide.

Her short film, A Private Matter, has screened at over twenty-five festivals worldwide, including the Academy & BAFTA accredited Flickerfest International Short Film Festival and St Kilda Film Festival in Australia. It has won numerous awards including Best Film, Best Drama and Best Director.

Edward Pontifex, managing director of Sweetshop Australia, commented, “Kate is an exciting talent. She has a unique and bold, aesthetic style, but at the same time is extremely versatile in tackling different genres. She is not afraid to challenge and to put herself out there.”

Halpin added, “I have admired the Sweetshop for a long time and have always been hugely inspired by the calibre of their work and their ability to constantly produce striking spots, which are genuinely affecting across all genres. I am so excited and grateful to be joining their roster and cannot wait to collaborate with some of the best in the biz and make some magic together.”

Wilf Sweetland, chief executive officer and partner at Sweetshop, stated, “Kate’s star is on the rise. Her dedication to craft and to achieving understated performance immediately grabbed us. Kate very much compliments our Australian roster and is well known for her collaborative spirit. We could not be happier she chose us to represent her.”