This is very exciting! We are delighted to announce the finalists for ten award categories, as selected by the judging panel of Jill Macnab (Chair), Anna Canton, Vicky Pope, Kath Graham, Kath Thomas, Samantha Jukes, Morgan Leigh Stewart and Sally Campbell, with input from Blake Ihimaera, Teremoana Rapley and the various category sponsors. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 7 April (Covid-willing!), at the ASB Waterfront Theatre in Auckland.
There were nearly 500 individual nominations so to select 33 finalists was a challenging job for the judges!
The finalists are...
South Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in Film
Ainsley Gardiner and Briar Grace-Smith for Cousins
Vicky Pope for Savage
Chelsea Winstanley for Jojo Rabbit
Imagezone Entrepreneurship Award
Aliesha Staples – Staples VR
Maru Nihoniho – Metia Interactive
Sharlene George – The Sweetshop
Images & Sound Award for Success in Television
Jessica Hobbs for The Crown
Janine Morrell-Gunn for her body of work first broadcast between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2021
Rose Matafeo for Horndog and Starstruck
Professional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the NZ Screen Industry
Dianne Moffatt
Paula Jones
Viv Wigby-Ngātai
SAE Award for Outstanding Newcomer
Cian Elyse White
Grace Palmer
Grae Meek
Fulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch Award
Morgan Waru
Shoshana McCallum
Sophie Dowson
Queenstown Camera Company Craft Award
Kelly Chen
Melissa Ririnui
Sophie Lloyd
The Weta Group Creative Technology Award
Alana Cotton
Cushla Dillon
Krystal Paraone
Te Māngai Pāho Te Reo Māori Champion Award
Oriini Kaipara
Reikura Kahi
Te O Kahurangi Karen Waaka
Tautai Award for Moana Excellence in the Screen Industry
Kerry Warkia
Lisa Taouma
Ngaire Fuata
Sima Urale
The Tautai Award for Moana Excellence in the Screen Industry is new this year and has been created to recognise the significant contribution of the many Moana Pasifika women working in the screen industry in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The judges determined that there should be only one finalist and winner to be announced at the Awards ceremony for the Great Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the NZ Screen Industry.