Loren Horsley

Loren Horsley, a New Zealand-born actress, writer, and director, is well-known for her versatile skills. Born in 1977, she jump-started her trajectory in acting, scriptwriting, and later transitioned to direction. Her outstanding acting performance was instrumental in films such as Eagle vs Shark (2007), where she brilliantly portrayed the character Lily. This film was not only significant due to her noteworthy performance but also because she co-wrote the script with her then-partner, Taika Waititi. Her directorial debut came with the film "The Moon Is Upside Down" that garnered critical acclaim, winning the Best Film award at the First Feature Competition of the 2023 Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. Alongside her prominent film career, Horsley actively invests her energies in philanthropic pursuits, lending her voice, acting and casting skills to promotional videos for the One Percent Collective. This organization, run by Pat Shepherd, supports minor New Zealand charities such as Kaibosh and Amped4life. Horsley’s generous contribution, coupled with her magnificent acting and directorial prowess, validate her distinctions at renowned platforms like the 2003 New Zealand Film and TV Awards, and 2007 Newport International Film Festival. In 2021, Horsley adopted a two-year-old Thai child, demonstrating her compassionate nature beyond her professional obligations.