It was truly a memorable night at the 2024 WIFT Awards. See below for the winners in each category.
SAE Award for Outstanding Newcomer
Presented to Marianne Infante for excellence in performance and advocating for minority voices to be recognised on stage and screen.
Hinterland Woman to Watch Award
Presented to Abba-Rose Vaiaoga-Ioasa for her outstanding contribution producing and stimulating Pasifika stories in the screen industry.
South Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in Film
Presented to Desray Armstrong producing and releasing three significant feature films within 18 months – Coming Home in the Dark, Millie Lies Low and Juniper.
Imagezone Entrepreneurship Award
Presented to Chelsea Winstanley, an extraordinary businesswoman, company director of This Too Shall Pass, and Matewa Media, which has released five Disney Films in Te Reo Māori, and also the company director of Ahi Collective.
Images & Sound Award for Success in Television and Digital
Presented to Carly Turner for excellence in editing drama, most recently Uproar.
Professional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the NZ Screen Industry
Presented to Jane Anderson who as long-time Operations Manager at Images & Sound provides invaluable support and guidance on a myriad of projects.
Queenstown Camera Company Craft Award
Presented to Ashlee Fidow for breaking barriers and excelling as an in-demand stunt performer.
Wētā FX Creative Technology Award
Presented to Beck Veitch for excellence as a compositing supervisor and dedicated advocacy for women in VFX.
Te Māngai Pāho Te Reo Māori Champion Award
Presented to Mihingarangi Forbes, a trailblazer and torchbearer with an unfaltering focus on Māori and justice.
Warner Bros. Discovery Award for Moana Pasifika Excellence in the Screen Industry Presented to Ngaire Fuata, a founding Director and Producer at SunPix, the leader in Pasifika representation on mainstream television.
Great Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the NZ Screen Industry
Presented to Barbara Darragh, a pioneer in innovative costume design, a role model and inspiration for costume designers.
The WIFT NZ Awards were established in 2004 to recognise, celebrate and encourage the achievements of women in film, television, and digital media.