Director’s Story

Carlie (born in New Zealand in 1971) grew up on a dairy farm, developing a deep love of animals along the way, often believing she could communicate with them.

She became an animal rights activist at a young age – also becoming a vegan many years ago, living by her passion and principles.

From the young age of 20, Carlie single handedly raised 2 sons (now in their late twenties and early 30’s) and she always leaned towards a creative path in life, from painting on canvas to illustrating children’s books, to making short films, her creative flair was forever at work.

Today she lives with her husband Greg on that same farm, where she runs an animal rescue sanctuary, rescuing and caring for the many abandoned animals, which she describes as her ‘happy place’.

Still learning the art, filmmaking has become a great passion and creative outlet for her. Gulf Livestock 1 is her first major production. The film had been a labour of love, blood, sweat and tears (literally with the filming process) and against all odds to bring the film to life.

This tragic and true story had its genesis in a dream, many months prior to the sinking, when Carlie awoke shaken having 'seen' thousands of cows in dire trouble. She woke her husband and poured out the story - and made notes as she often does when waking from a profound dream. When, some months later, Gulf Livestock 1 sank with the loss of 6,000 cows and 43 crew, she was shaken to her core - and began her research, determined to tell the tragic story.

Through the course of trying to bring an almost impossible film together, Carlie dealt with some difficult personal traumas during 2022 and 2023 while trying to complete the film, including breast cancer, major lung surgery, her son who fought as a soldier in the Ukraine, and more recently the tragic passing of her father, who had supported this film so strongly.
Carlie described, waking in the intensive care unit post-surgery, with just one thing on her mind, that she must finish this film, the tragic true story must be told.
The enormity of mental, emotional and physical strength that was required to put this film together, including filming at sea, on a real ship, and viewing many harsh images, was a huge challenge.
The release of the film will mark history, as earlier this year (April 30th 2023) New Zealand celebrated the final month that live export ships would ever leave our shores, and it is her greatest hope this film will encourage other countries worldwide to follow suit and ban this cruel and barbaric trade.
Carlie plans to produce more films over the coming years, in particular with regards to true stories that deserve to be recorded in history. including a current film, she is producing about her own Near Death Experience called “Ancestral Fires” due for release at the end of 2024.