WIFT NZ Events

Thursday

Jul

2025

Wellington Wellington

Beyond Blockbusters: Virtual Production for NZ Productions

Posted Thursday 10 Jul 2025

Beyond Blockbusters: Virtual Production for NZ Productions
Thursday 24 July 2025 – Massey University, Wellington

Virtual Production (VP) isn’t just for Hollywood anymore. From indie dramas to short-form content and TVCs, creatives across Aotearoa are actively experimenting with LED volumes and real-time environments to rethink how we shoot and create.

Join the VFX Guild and National Academy of Screen Arts | Massey University for a unique evening unpacking how VP is being used on the ground in New Zealand—what’s working, what’s not, and where we go next.

The evening includes:

A walkthrough of Massey’s state-of-the-art VP studio
A chance to network with industry peers and talent

Two expert panels featuring directors, DOPs, VFX producers and supervisors, gaffers, animators and more

Panel 1: Indie Features in VP Moderated by Sharon Lark, VFX Producer → Featuring Jonathan King (Director, Black Sheep), Charlie Tait (VFX Supervisor, Wētā FX)

Panel 2: Short-Form & TVC Moderated by Nicci Lock → Featuring Matt Eastwood (Director), Matt Henley (DOP), Adrian “Wookie” Hebron (Gaffer), Jacob Luamanuvae-Su’a (Animator)

Schedule:
5:30 PM – VP Studio Tour
6:00 PM – Networking (nibbles provided, cash bar), VP Studio Tours
7:00 PM – Panels begin
9:00 PM – After Party @ Havana Bar

Tickets:

Free for WIFT MEMBERS, VFXG members and Massey University students/staff
$25 Non-VFXG Members | $10 Non-member Students

Old Museum Building, Entrance D, Top of Tory Street, Wellington Virtual Production Stage

RSVP Required!!!!!! PLEASE REGISTER HERE

Date: Thursday 24 Jul 2025
Location: Old Museum Building, Entrance D, Top of Tory Street, Wellington Virtual Production Stage
Time: 5:30pm

Thursday

Jul

2025

Upcoming events...

Wednesday 27 May 2026

What's the "Drama" with "Vertical"? (Wellington)

What's the 'Drama' with 'Vertical'?

Are there opportunities for vertical microdramas in NZ?

The vertical microdrama format has taken the world by storm. Short, punchy, shot for mobile, and built for binge-watching, it's generated extraordinary revenue in markets like China and is quietly gaining ground here in Aotearoa. But what is it? Where do we find them? Who's watching? Are there revenue opportunities?

Join us for a panel conversation that brings together producers, funders, and an international perspective to dig into the real story behind vertical content in NZ.

Whether you're already working in the short-form space, curious about where the funding is heading, or wondering how overseas models might translate here, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Our Panellists

Amie Mills - Head of Funding at NZ on Air
Amie is a member of the Senior Leadership Team and has overall responsibility for the Scripted, Non-Fiction and Platforms streams of funding, and the Game Development Sector Rebate. Amie has worked in the media industry in Aotearoa and abroad, in a range of creative and digital production roles.
Abba-Rose Vaiaonga-Ioasa - Producer for "I Got You"
Abba-Rose (Samoan, villages of Toamua, Puipa'a) specializes in taking the path less travelled to tell the stories rarely told. Co-founder of Pacific Islands Screen Artists, producer of feature films, Three Wise Cousins (2016), Hibiscus & Ruthless (2018), Take Home Pay (2019), Mama's Music Box (2020). And factual series Sik Fah Lah (2022), online vertical series I Got You (2022).
Daniela Shaw - Executive Producer
Daniela works in film and television production with a focus on cross-border content, having produced reality programs and screen projects across international markets. Today, she is focused on micro drama as a high-growth format, where short-form storytelling meets global distribution and mobile-first audiences.
Jessica Todd - Producer for "The Sender"
Based between Ōtautahi Christchurch and Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Jessica has been working across the media industry in Aotearoa and the UK for 10 years. As as independent producer, she works in production for long form drama projects and TVCs. Most recently, she produced NZ On Air Funded microdrama The Sender (2025).

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS VIA HUMANITIX

Drinks and nibbles from 6pm, panel from 6:30pm.

Free for WIFT members | $20 non-members

Wellington

Wednesday 10 Jun 2026

What's the "Drama" with "Vertical"? (Christchurch)

What's the 'Drama' with 'Vertical'?

Are there opportunities for vertical microdramas in NZ?

Join us for a panel conversation that brings together producers, funders, and an international perspective to dig into the real story behind vertical content in NZ.

Our Panellists

Amie Mills - Head of Funding at NZ on Air
Amie is a member of the Senior Leadership Team and has overall responsibility for the Scripted, Non-Fiction and Platforms streams of funding, and the Game Development Sector Rebate. Amie has worked in the media industry in Aotearoa and abroad, in a range of creative and digital production roles.
Abba-Rose Vaiaonga-Ioasa - Producer for "I Got You"
Abba-Rose (Samoan, villages of Toamua, Puipa'a) specializes in taking the path less travelled to tell the stories rarely told. Co-founder of Pacific Islands Screen Artists, producer of feature films, Three Wise Cousins (2016), Hibiscus & Ruthless (2018), Take Home Pay (2019), Mama's Music Box (2020). And factual series Sik Fah Lah (2022), online vertical series I Got You (2022).
Jessica Todd - Producer for "The Sender"
Based between Ōtautahi Christchurch and Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Jessica has been working across the media industry in Aotearoa and the UK for 10 years. As as independent producer, she works in production for long form drama projects and TVCs. Most recently, she produced NZ On Air Funded microdrama The Sender (2025).