Kate Venner

Ever since I can remember, I’ve been captivated by the power of spaces: how environments tell stories, evoke emotion, and shape our imagination. That passion led me to Kingston University, where I achieved my BA (Hons) in Interior Design. It was there that my storytelling instincts began to expand beyond interiors when I had the opportunity to collaborate with the Film course run by Moira Tait. That crossover opened a new exciting world for me.

After graduating, I began volunteering at the National Film and Television School where I worked with second and third year students, as both Art Director and Production Buyer. Those early experiences were invaluable and taught me how creativity thrives in collaboration to bring storytelling alive.

Soon after, I moved into the professional world, joining the Art Department as an Assistant Art Director on multi-episodic productions such as Poirot. It was an exciting, fast-paced environment that fuelled my passion for design and storytelling.
In the mid 90’s, my life moved on to another chapter. Motherhood. What a journey.
During those years, I returned to my roots designing retail interiors.

By the early 2000’s I realised that the energy, creativity and collaborative spirit of film making was where I truly belonged. Returning to the industry felt like coming home.
I began working as a Production Buyer, collaborating alongside talented Set Decorators including Maggie Gray and Tina Jones on projects such as The Young Victoria and Miss Potter.

In 2010, I was approached by Lee Sandales to join the Art Department on War Horse – a collaboration that would mark the beginning of a long and treasured professional and personal relationship. Since then, we’ve worked together on 16 films: including Star Wars, 1917, The Batman, Wonka and Wicked: each one offering a new challenge, a new story and a new opportunity to push creative boundaries.

My career has always been guided by a deep love for design. I remain passionate about the collaborative artistry of film: the marriage of vision, craftsmanship and emotion that brings stories to life for audiences around the world.