WIFT NZ Events

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).

• 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

Few people in the screen industry have shaped the way we see a story quite like Ngila Dickson.

Not only is she a winner of an Academy Award and BAFTA, she is one of New Zealand's most celebrated screen artists, Ngila's work spans some of the most iconic films ever made. From the sweeping grandeur of The Lord of the Rings to the immersive world-building of The Last Samurai. Her costumes tell us who they are before a single word is spoken.

Check out here IMDb page for her extensive credits here:

Join WIFT NZ for an intimate evening in conversation with Ngila, reflecting on a career built on craft, instinct, and a deep love for the visual. We'll hear about her journey through the industry, the lessons learned along the way, and what it means to do this work with intention and longevity.

We will also be showcasing some of Ngila's costumes from Lord Of The Rings and other films, thanks to Wētā Workshop!

This session will be moderated by Linda Niccol

Date: Monday 15 June 2026
Time: 6:00pm | Drinks & networking, 6:30–8:00pm | In conversation
Location: Weta Workshop Group Space, 129 Park Road

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER VIA HUMANITIX

Free for WIFT Members, $20 for non-members. Drinks & Nibbles Provided

The best creative partnerships work a lot like relationships.

They're built on trust and shared values.

Strong foundations don't happen overnight, and definitely not in the week before a funding deadline.

The goal is to start conversations worth continuing. Whether you've got a project in development, you're a producer wanting to meet new voices, or you're building relationships before the next opportunity lands, this is the room.

Writers/directors, you may attend as a team.

Creative Matchmaking is a structured day of short one-on-one meetings hosted by WIFT NZ.

We're looking at:

• The format and scale of work you're drawn to (feature, series, short, doc, hybrid)

• Where you are in your career, and who you're ready to work with

• What you're hoping to find; a project, a producer, a director, a long-term creative relationship, or just new connections

Producers will be split into groups:

• Producers, factual / documentary

• Producers, features / series drama

Meetings will be 20 minutes long. At the bell you move on.

Registrations close at 5pm on Sunday 14th June

Date: Saturday 20th June
Time: 10am – 3:30pm, with networking drinks to follow
Price: $5 for WIFT members, $10 for non-members

To register, please do all of the following:

- Fill out this survey HERE
- Purchase your entry here via Humanitix HERE: