John Chrisstoffels

John Chrisstoffels serves as Associate Professor in Digital Screen within the Faculty of Arts at University of Canterbury, a position held continuously since 2005. His institutional profile includes an ORCID identifier (0000-0002-5680-9090) and office location in Otakaro Room 215, with active supervision of graduate research students.

His educational background comprises:

• Doctor of Fine Arts (DocFA) from University of Auckland (2012-2019)
• MFA with distinction from University of Canterbury (2005-2006)
• BA in Religious Studies from University of Canterbury (1985-1988)

With over 35 years as a filmmaker and musician, Chrisstoffels' research centers on 'time-based' art forms. His primary interests include film theory, international and New Zealand film history, all aspects of film production (directing/producing), and emerging technologies. He examines the material properties of film media, as demonstrated in his 2017 response to Nova Paul's Surplus Reality where he analyzed chemical/optical artifacts in 16mm film versus digital cinematography, connecting these to Michel Foucault's theories of representation.

His professional activities reveal significant industry engagement through memberships in Screen Canterbury (2000-2005) and Technicians Guild of New Zealand (1990-2015), plus service as a Creative New Zealand panelist and committee member for film organizations. The publication record spanning 2017-2024 shows consistent output across documentary, experimental film, and curatorial projects, with thematic focus on New Zealand cultural identity, environmental issues, and technical aspects of film media.

As a registered supervisor, he has guided 21 graduate students through MFA, BFA(Hons), and SCUL601 programs between 2008-2019, including Daniel Sheridan (Mama, 2019), Ian Spilman (Documentary, 2018), and Nathan Pohio (MFA, 2009-2011). His teaching extends to guest lectures on story development and pepeha (Māori oral tradition).