At the end of last year, Cate Blanchett received the prestigious Longford Lyall award at Australia's Film and Television Awards (AACTAS) But amid the obligatory tears and thank you's she made an excellent point: Women simply aren't acknowledged enough in her industry (and in many others).
"I think it's fantastic AACTAs is coming into the 21st century," she said in a nod towards gender equality, as the film industry works towards having 50/50 gender equity in upcoming Australian projects.
"So often ... because we just get on and do stuff, female achievement gets swept under the carpet, so it's extraordinary to achieve this."
Copy this link into your browser and check out the mini-iv she gave.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-09/blanchett-calls-for-more-aussies-onscreen-at-aacta-awards/7015602
We couldn't have said it better ourselves.
SO with the WIFT Awards just around the corner - it seems fitting to remind all members and supporters about this fabulous event coming up in Auckland on February 24 at the Grand Tearoom in the Heritage Hotel, Auckland. The finalists have been announced and all that's required is your presence, frocked up and feeling fabulous about the wonderful achievements of women in our industry.
Members tickets are just $70 for the evening (which includes some drinks and eats) and there will be a cash bar as well. So please book here http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2016/wift-new-zealand-awards-2016/auckland and make it a night to remember for all the finalists. Your ticket only just covers our costs for this event, so there are no "freebies", "comps" or ways to wriggle in without a ticket!
Check out the finalists below and look out the winners on February 24!
Finalists are announced for the following six categories:
South Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in Film
Leanne Pooley for 'Beyond the Edge'
Miriam Smith for 'The Ground We Won'
Chelsea Winstanley for 'What We Do in the Shadows'
Images & Sound Award for Success in Television
Tash Christie for 'Neighbours at War', 'Showtime' and 'Nabbed' for Greenstone TV
Philly de Lacey for Screentime New Zealand's body of work first broadcast between 1 July 2013 and 30 June 2015
Bronwynn Wilson for 'Jono and Ben'
Queenstown Camera Company Entrepreneurship Award
Bettina Hollings - Imagination Television Ltd
Robyn Scott-Vincent - The Attitude Group
Michelle Walshe - Augusto Ltd
Professional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the NZ Screen Industry
Christina Asher
Leonne Kassler
Pat Robins
Fulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch Award
Desray Armstrong
Alyx Duncan
Sophie Henderson
Te Reo M?ori Champion Award
Mihingarangi Forbes
Mina Mathieson
Hinewehi Mohi
The judges determined that there should be only one finalist and winner to be announced at the Awards ceremony for the following category:
Great Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the NZ Screen Industry
For further information please contact Patricia Watson, National Manager, WIFT NZ - 09 373 4071 or office@wiftnz.org.nz