[1][2] Sutherland studied at Toi Whakaari (The New Zealand Drama School, Wellington)[3] where he worked with childhood friend Mark Albiston, creating a graduation short film.
[4] After creating the award winning short films Run (2007) and The Six Dollar Fifty Man (2009), the duo co-directed their award-winning debut feature Shopping (2013).
In 2000, Sutherland won a place at the Toi Whakaari Drama School where he first developed his dramatic talents, graduating in 2003 with a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting).
[12] Sutherland has increasingly focused on his directorial career, passing up acting opportunities to work as a film and commercials director.
[11] This approach to writing and directing has given the films a "heartfelt" and honest tone, helping create "an emotional immediacy in the performances".