Magali Pettier is a filmmaker and a photographer who works mainly in the social arena exploring issues from homelessness through to migration. As well as working on commissions, Magali works on participatory projects with socially excluded groups.

Born in France in 1980, Magali moved to England in 1999. Following a year travel to Asia and Australia (2000-2001) to explore the photographic medium, she graduated in Photography, Video and Digital Imaging in 2005 and in Information Technology Application Development in 2006 from the University of Sunderland. As well as working for production companies as a Runner such as Atlantic Productions and Firefly (London), Magali has developed projects. For example, in 2005 Magali self-funded a two month project in Nepal, entitled '2005-2061: Nepal', looking at the influence of the western countries on the Nepalese lifestyle. Following this project Magali was short listed for the 'Guardian Student Photographer of the Year 2005' and received the Sunderland Echo Prize. It was also exhibited at the University of Sunderland, at the Biscuit Factory in Newcastle and at the French Alliance in Cork, Ireland, an exhibition funded by the Northern Arts Council.

Moreover, in 2006, Magali undertook a photographic research in Singapore to look at the importance of the Migrant Workers both on the Singaporean landscape and in the country's economy. A feature story including the work produced in Nepal and in Singapore was published in Asian Photography (April 2007).

In the last two years, Magali has worked as an artist on participatory projects with women sex workers, drug addicts, homeless people, Black Minority Ethnics women and asylum seekers.During this project, along with other artists (musicians, visual and textile artists), two exhibitions of the work produced by the participants have been put together. For instance, the multi-media exhibition titled 'I see, you don't see', produced with women sex workers was exhibited at the Art Works Gallery in Newcastle (Nov-Dec 2008) and Josephine Butler College in Durham (March 2009-Present). The women and Magali explored the meaning of a number of locations in the city related to their experiences as sex workers within a hidden market. A book of their work titled 'I see, you don't see' has also been published by Tyneside Women's Services. Moreover, Magali worked as a lead artist on the project titled 'A Day In Our Lives', in collaboration with Tyneside Cyrenians, Trading Places and Helix Arts in Newcastle upon Tyne. Magali and other artists have been working on the production of a book of the images taken by the participants (socially excluded people) titled 'A Day In Our Lives’ published in April 2009 by Helix Arts. A short film titled ‘Social Resurrection’ and an exhibition shown at Dance City in Newcastle (April-May 2009), all exploring issues around social exclusion and homelessness that the participants may have experienced were put created by the participants with the artists' help. Furthermore, from April to July 2009, Magali worked with Black Minority Ethnic Women, most of who are refugees or asylum seekers, in collaboration with Ruth Gowland, Gem Arts, Helix Arts and Tyneside Women's Health. The work produced by/with the women was exhibited at a family event in October. A book titled 'International Ladies' was also produced for the women's and organisations' use only in order to protect the women's identity.

In the last few months, Magali has also been working as a filmmaker/photographer with Alan Lyddiard on a theatre performance titled 'Turning On A Sixpence', with socially excluded people, which took place at Crisis Skylight, Newcastle on June 27 2009. They are now working with the people involved in the play to create a short film.

Finally, Magali is currently working on a commission for The Darlington Arts Centre about five community groups which will be exhibited at The Myles Meehan Galley from February 12 to April 5 2009.