Kelly Mitchell

Kelly Mitchell is a distinguished Indigenous Maori Makeup, Hair, and SPFX Designer, with a remarkable career spanning over 25 years in the film and television industry. With a background as a qualified hairdresser, Kelly has consistently demonstrated her artistic prowess and dedication to the craft. Recently Kelly won the 2023 NZTVA Award for Best Make Up Design for “The Gone”, as well as a nomination for her work on “One Lane Bridge”. Her portfolio boasts impressive achievements, including contributions to Oscar award-winning films such as "Power of the Dog" by acclaimed director Jane Campion. Kelly's exceptional talent has earned her a nomination for the TVNZ Awards' Best Makeup Designer in 2022 for her outstanding work on "The Panthers."Notably, this year marks a momentous occasion, with Kelly receiving not one but two well-deserved nominations for Best Makeup Designer of the Year in the productions "The Gone" and "One Lane Bridge 3." Kelly’s passion for her work is evident in her ability to breathe life into characters and stories, transforming them from the pages of a script to the big screen.Outside the world of film and television, she is an avid traveller and adventurer, always seeking new experiences. She is committed to continuous improvement, recently embarking on a journey to the United Kingdom to train in afro-textured hair under the mentorship of industry luminaries Kevin Fortune and Jennie Roberts, renowned as the best in the business. Kelly Mitchell is not only a visionary artist in the makeup and hair design realm but also a dedicated explorer and lifelong learner, committed to the art of storytelling and the transformation of characters on screen.