Annie Stiven studied anthropology and has worked at the National Museum and National Arts School in Papua New Guinea, and as an academic researcher.  She has recently completed a novel set in Oceania.

Les McLaren & Annie Stiven have worked in Australian screen production in several genres over forty years. Their five films made in Papua New Guinea observed cultural practice and cultural change: Pikizjaa, Kama Wosi, Namekas, Cowboy & Maria in Town (Winner Best Documentary, Sydney Film Festival), and Taking Pictures.  They directed and produced the interactive website/TV Series Pacific Stories for ABCTV/Online, and Les wrote and directed the 3-part documentary series Viva Timor Leste!

They co-wrote a short history of filmmaking in Papua New Guinea for the (Australian) Documentary Conference 1993, ISBN: 0646165402.