Head of Film Dunedin & Co-Manager of Film Otago Southland, New Zealand / AFCI Board Director
Stefan has nearly 20 years of experience in market research, destination marketing, and film production. Originally from Germany, he moved to New Zealand in 2003 to undertake a PhD in Film Tourism at the University of Otago, pioneering research in the field. His doctoral research was later published as The Experiences of Film Location Tourists (Channel View Publications, London).
A leading expert in film tourism, Stefan has advised global destinations on high-profile projects, including PADDINGTON for VisitBritain, THE MARTIAN for the Royal Film Commission of Jordan, and GAME OF THRONES for Tourism Northern Ireland. He has delivered keynote presentations at more than 50 international conferences, cementing his reputation as a thought leader in the industry. Since 2024, he has served as a Board Member of the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) and is the current Deputy Chair of the Regional Film Offices of New Zealand (RFONZ).