Kiwi screenwriter Sophie Henderson's been behind many New Zealand-produced hits, and she's drawn on her personal experiences for her next film.

Henderson's latest film - in which she also stars - made its debut at the New Zealand International Film Festival, and it's inspired by her time at Auckland’s Basement Theatre.

She says Workmates was inspired by her love of locally produced New Zealand theatre - and she says the Basement is in better shape now.

"I remember being at drama schools and going - if I could just work for Silo Theatre, I'd be happy. That was one of my first jobs, I'd worked at Silo for many years as an actor and then I went and ran the Basement Theatre."

LISTEN ABOVE