The Women In Film & Television (WIFT NZ) Awards will take place on 12th March 2026 at St Matthew-in-the-City, Auckland.
SOUTH PACIFIC PICTURES AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM
This award recognises significant achievement with a short or feature film released in the last two years
locally and/or internationally. This award can be won more than once.
To be eligible, film(s) associated with the nominee must have been released between 1 July 2023 and 30
June 2025 and had some measurable impact. Particular weighting will be given to positive critical
reception, box office success and international profile and achievement.
Previous winners: Fran Walsh (2004), Zoe Bell (2005), Ngila Dickson (2006), Ainsley Gardiner (2007),
Annie Goldson (2008), Arani Cuthbert (2009), Ainsley Gardiner (2010), Catherine Fitzgerald (2014),
Leanne Pooley (2016), Miranda Harcourt (2018), Pietra Brettkelly (2020), Chelsea Winstanley (2022),
Desray Armstrong (2024)
HINTERLAND WOMAN TO WATCH AWARD
This award recognises a woman with an emerging body of work who shows the potential to have a
significant career in the industry.
Previous winners: Niki Caro, Ainsley Gardner & Leanne Saunders (individually in 2004), Jane Andrews &
Melanie Rakena (jointly in 2005), Gemma Gracewood (2006), Rachel Gardner (2007), Roseanne Liang
(2008), Chelsea Winstanley (2009), Julia Parnell (2010), Kerry Warkia (2014), Desray Armstrong (2016),
Casey Zilbert (2018), Hweiling Ow (2020), Shoshana McCallum (2022), Abba-Rose Vaiaoga-Ioasa (2024)
PERPETUAL ENTERTAINMENT ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARD
This Award recognises exceptional business achievement and is given to a woman who has demonstrated
business acumen and entrepreneurial vision in establishing a sustainable financial enterprise,
contributing to the future health and viability of the New Zealand screen industry.
Particular weighting will be given to evidence of a sound business approach, international presence and
activity, and significant turnover with leveraged investment in product that delivers sustainability.
Previous winners: Rhonda Kite (2008), Janine Morrell-Gunn (2009), Tania Rodger (2010), Frances
Valintine (2014), Bettina Hollings (2016), Libby Hakaraia (2018), Sharon Menzies (2020), Aliesha Staples
(2022), Chelsea Winstanley (2024)
IMAGES & SOUND AWARD FOR SUCCESS IN TELEVISION & DIGITAL
This award recognises a woman who has had a significant impact or achievement in any aspect of
television or digital media between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2025.
This award can be won more than once.
Previous winners: Julie Christie (2004), Nicole Hoey (2005), Rachel Lang (2006), Robyn Malcom (2007),
Rachel Lang (2008), Jaquie Brown (2009), Rachel Lang (2010), Jane Campion (2014), Philly de Lacey
(2016), Maxine Fleming (2018), Annabelle Lee-Mather (2020), Rose Matafeo (2022), Carly Turner (2024)
PROFESSIONAL LIGHTING SERVICES AWARD FOR UNSUNG HEROINE OF THE NZ
SCREEN INDUSTRY
This award honours long-term contributions behind the scenes which ensure successful projects and
provide essential support to colleagues. This award can only be won once.
Particular weighting will be given to women who are generally ineligible for other Awards but whose
work is critical to achievement, and to women who have demonstrated collegial support for other
women in the industry.
Previous winners: Annie Frear (2005), Mairi Gunn (2006), Sue May (2007), Carmen Leonard (2008),
Natalie Crane & Glenda Paterson (jointly in 2009), Adria Buckton (2010), Lynne Reed (2014), Leonne
Kassler (2016), Nerida Cath (2018), Louise Baker (2020), Dianne Moffatt (2022), Jane Anderson (2024)
THE QUEENSTOWN CAMERA COMPANY CRAFT AWARD
This award recognises outstanding achievement in craft in film, television or digital media
production, especially those working in the more traditionally male-dominated sectors, between 1
July 2023 and 30 June 2025, e.g. camera, sound, lighting, grips, stunt work, set design.
NB This is not an award for post-production. There is a separate award for post.
Previous winners: Kirsten Green (2018), Bindy Crayford (2020), Melissa Ririnui (2022), Ashley Fidow
(2024)
WĒTĀ FX CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY AWARD
This award recognises outstanding achievement in creativity in post-production in film, television or
digital media between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2025. Nominee job titles include editor, colourist,
sound editor, ADR recordist, VFX artist, VFX supervisor, VFX editor, animator, compositor.
Previous winners: Clare Burlinson (2018), Amy Barber (2020), Alana Cotton (2022), Beck Veitch
(2024)
TE MĀNGAI PĀHO TE REO MĀORI CHAMPION AWARD
This award honours a production company or individual whose work makes a significant contribution
to the increased use and knowledge of Te Reo Māori me ngā tikanga.
Particular weighting will be given to creative approaches and/or to innovative programming which
has a measurable impact on the profile of Māori on screen.
Previous winners: Tini Molyneux (2010), Hineani Melbourne (2014), Hinewehi Mohi (2016), Wena
Harawira (2018), Stacey Morrison (2020), Reikura Kahi (2022), Mihingarangi Forbes (2024)
SAE AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING NEWCOMER
This award recognises exceptional talent in a woman under 30 working in the New Zealand screen
industry. As WIFT is a pan-industry organisation this talent may be in any field, whether behind or in
front of the camera.
Previous winners: Kayleighsha Wharton (2020), Cian Elyse White (2022), Marianne Infante (2024)
SKY AWARD FOR MOANA EXCELLENCE IN THE SCREEN INDUSTRY
This award recognises an outstanding contribution by a Moana Pasifika woman in any field in the
Aotearoa/New Zealand screen industry.
Previous winners: Sima Urale (2022), Ngaire Fuata (2024)
GREAT SOUTHERN FILM & TELEVISION AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING
CONTRIBUTION TO THE NZ SCREEN INDUSTRY
This award honours long-term outstanding work, generous support for others, and commitment to the
growth of the industry both professionally and personally. This award can only be won once.
Previous winners: Ngila Dickson (2004), Robin Scholes (2005), Chloe Smith (2006), Diana Rowan (2007),
Robin Laing (2008), Caterina De Nave (2009), Gaylene Preston (2010), Annie Collins (2014), Jane
Wrightson (2016), Catherine Madigan (2018), Kelly Martin (2020), Dr Shuchi Kothari (2022), Barbara
Darragh (2024)
