From photographers to creative agencies, musicians to firework curators, Sydney talent is at the centre of the biggest night of the year. Sydney New Year’s Eve is managed by the City of Sydney and we work with multiple Sydney-based businesses to pull the night together.
We spoke to our partners to find out a little more about Sydney New Year’s Eve from their perspective.
Watch the video to hear from Fortunato Foti, creative director at Foti International Fireworks, Blak Douglas creative consultant, Nick Parmar from ticketing partner Humanitix and Julian and Kim from The Presets.
Embedded content: https://youtu.be/jFqZcYOKEog Read on to hear from more of our creative partners.
“Nothing beats a local’s perspective when bringing iconic events like Sydney New Year’s Eve to life,” says Pyrmont-based freelance photographer, Henry Li. This year will be Henry’s first year capturing the official fireworks photos.
“Being locals growing up in Sydney, our ultimate goal is to help showcase the colour of our city and what makes Sydney so iconic. Local businesses are the backbone of our community and support from the City of Sydney’s major events provides budding artists a platform for sharing their ideas and transforming their vision into reality,” he said.
Creative Producer Georgia Moraitis works at VANDAL, a new media-production company based in Redfern. VANDAL will bring the pylon projections to life for the first time this year.
“After a rollercoaster 2 years, the city has been left hurting. Now, more than ever, it’s important to celebrate everything that makes Sydney one of the most vibrant arts and entertainment communities in the world.”
“The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the most iconic canvases in the world! We’ve used the pylon architecture – in their 89-metre-tall glory – as the starting point of our storytelling through vibrant visuals, playful colour and animated design. We’re even 'bouncing' animated shapes from one pylon to the other.”
Morris McLennan is a Castle Hill-based photographer and time-lapse specialist.
“Working with local talent to bring major events like New Year’s Eve to life is a great support to the creative industry. Engaging with local, small businesses means those contractors are more involved, more knowledgeable of local events and the people and dynamics of the community,” Morris said.
Matt Lambley is a northern beaches-based photographer and filmmaker, also working on Sydney New Year's Eve for the first time this year.
“Like many Sydneysiders, I’ve grown up experiencing the Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks display every year and have developed a special love for the event”, Lambley said.
“I’m proud to live in this beautiful city, that’s home to such a world-renowned New Year's Eve display. To be chosen to be a part of the team that pulls off the event this year is an honour and such an exciting thought,” he said.
Paul Garbett from Surry Hills creative agency Studio Garbett has been working with the City of Sydney since 2019.
“We won the project through a competitive tender process. We developed the brand name, logo and guidelines which inform things like the visual identity, bridge animations, lighting, dance choreography and fireworks display.
“Local creatives have so much to offer. We have some of the best talent in the world and a unique insight into the local culture and contexts,” Garbett said.
Randwick local Iain Reed from 32 Hundred Lighting has been bridge technical manager for Sydney New Year’s Eve for 15 years.
“We don’t want to lose local talent after what has been a very challenging few years. Major events keep us alive and vibrant. It’s great that the City of Sydney supports the local talent pool of lighting designers, technicians and suppliers,” he said.
Ziggy Ziegler has done the creative lighting and digital art for Sydney New Year’s Eve since 2015.
“Sharing and pooling our talents helps our city to grow and the City of Sydney are a huge part of that. Meeting new artists and colleagues on the journey each year leads you to new ways of communicating, learning how to adapt and change,” he said.
More information about Sydney New Year's Eve 2021
Published 21 December 2021, updated 14 February 2024
