WIFT NZ Events

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

FREE FOR WIFT MEMBERS!!!!!!!

Audience: VFX Artists | Directors | Writers | Producers | Technicians | Animators

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

Wāhine at Cannes: Insights from the International Stage

Wift wāhine. One iconic festival. A global perspective.

REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT HERE

Fresh from the Croisette, join us as three Aotearoa screen professionals share their experiences from the 2025 Cannes Film Festival — the people they met, the trends they spotted, and what it all means for our industry back home. From red carpet reflections to the real talk behind closed doors, this is your insider’s guide to the state of the international screen sector, as seen through the eyes of wāhine in the room.

Jasmin McSweeney
An Industry Award for Excellence recipient and an NZOM for services to film, Jasmin was previously the head of marketing at the NZFC, and now Head of Sales & Acquisitions NZ at Umbrella.  She leads the company’s expansion in Aotearoa and overseeing deals across theatrical, VOD, home entertainment, and streaming.

Morgan Leigh Stewart
Morgan is a producer, production human, and screen industry professional with over 10 years experience across film, social media, content creation, event producing, project development, and management. She has worked across a variety of budgets and projects from feature films, short films, TV series, web series, music videos, creative installations, events and festivals to commercials.

Emma Slade
 Emma Slade, owner of New Zealand-based Firefly Films, is a prolific producer known for her diverse slate and collaborations with dynamic filmmakers. Her recent work includes Bookworm (starring Elijah Wood), which won the Audience Award at Fantasia 2024, and two upcoming films in post-production: Holy Days and Lomu. Past successes include Uproar, Mister Organ (NZ’s top-grossing 2022 documentary, now on Netflix), Nude Tuesday, The Justice of Bunny King, and Come to Daddy. Her earlier films include The Changeover (Venice Film Festival), the China/NZ co-production Into the Rainbow and the Brazilian/NZ feature LITTLE SECRET, which was nominated as Brazil’s Oscar entry for Best Foreign Film 2017.

Sharon Menzies
A preeminent figure within the film industry, Sharon has experience at the highest levels across Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, and has been financing cashflow solutions in film and television for producers for over 25 years. Sharon's newest venture, Hinterland, is the culmination of her experience, focusing on providing tailored and producer-friendly financing solutions for independent and creative producers in New Zealand and Australia, with unparalleled local rebate knowledge. Prior to Hinterland, Sharon is most well known for her role in building Fulcrum Media Finance. During her tenure she provided over AUD $750 million in lending on over 450 projects without a single default.

REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT HERE

HUGE MIHI TO OUR FRIENDS AT IMAGES &SOUND FOR HOSTING!

Wāhine at Cannes: Insights from the International Stage

Three wāhine. One iconic festival. A global perspective.

REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT HERE

Fresh from the Croisette, join us as three Aotearoa screen professionals share their experiences from the 2025 Cannes Film Festival — the people they met, the trends they spotted, and what it all means for our industry back home. From red carpet reflections to the real talk behind closed doors, this is your insider’s guide to the state of the international screen sector, as seen through the eyes of wāhine in the room.

Jasmin McSweeney
An Industry Award for Excellence recipient and an NZOM for services to film, Jasmin was previously the head of marketing at the NZFC, and now Head of Sales & Acquisitions NZ at Umbrella.  She leads the company’s expansion in Aotearoa and overseeing deals across theatrical, VOD, home entertainment, and streaming.

Rouzie Hassanova
Rouzie is a creative leader with extensive experience in international film financing, development, production and post-production. While in London, she worked for the renowned post-production company Prime Focus, and the international sales agents HanWay Films and Mister Smith Entertainment. Since moving to New Zealand with her Kiwi husband, she has worked in Development at Great Southern TV, the New Zealand Film Commission, Libertine Pictures. Currently at The Sweetshop Entertainment, Rouzie played an integral part in financing Mārama by Taratoa Stappard, while developing their content slate.

Rosie Hole
Rosie brings over 15 years in film and TV, from Universal Pictures UK to the NZ Film Commission. Now at Hinterland, she supports producers through funding routes and distribution strategy.

REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT HERE