Archive April 2025 2025

Late last month, during the Wellington Animation Film Festival (WAFF), the NZFC announced two major initiatives to strengthen New Zealand’s animation industry.

Return to Annecy 2025:

New Zealand is heading back to MIFA (Annecy International Animation Film Festival), scheduled from 8-14 June 2025. There are…

Script to Screen and Compton School have been given additional support from Vista Foundation for their new innovative mentorship programme, Rainmaker Aotearoa,  because of this generous support, they have been able to provide mentorship for a further 6 practitioners - 4 of whom are WIFT…

After the Party—a gripping six-part drama about a woman whose life unravels after accusing her ex-husband of a sex crime—has been nominated for Best International TV Series at the BAFTA Awards.

The show is produced by WIFT member Helen Bowden, and the series has sparked…

We congratulate WIFT member Kat Forrester, 1st AD and actor, on her accomplishment with The Bostrom Scenario, a feature that was produced and filmed in Christchurch. The film has screened at 7 festivals worldwide, and premiered to a sold out hometown crowd last October!  Kat…

Congratulations to WIFT member Julie Zhu, whose short film, Lǎo Lao Lǎo Le received the award for Best Short Film at the Melbourne Women in Film Festival (MWFF). The film first saw the light of day in 2023, winning Best NZ Film, Best Director and…

A huge congratulations to producer Ruth Korver and editor Trinity Ludlow-Hudson for their incredible work on The Stolen Children of Aotearoa, which premiered last week at the Māoriland Film Festival. Their dedication and talent have brought this important story to life on screen, and we…

Tall Hours, is a short film by writer, director WIFT member, Sophie Black, that was selected for the New Zealand Film Commission’s Kōpere Hou - Fresh Shorts initiative. The incredibly talented team have completed filming, however are in need of support to bring it through…

We are delighted to offer 5 double passes, featuring Aotearoa icon, in his new film, Marlon Williams: Ngā Ao E Rua - Two Worlds. Giveaway is courtesy of Madman Entertainment

Follow renowned New Zealand singer-songwriter Marlon Williams on the profound, revealing and joyful four-year journey…

We're excited to announce the release of The Cats of Gokogu Shrine, a beautifully shot documentary that will be available in New Zealand cinemas starting April 10.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Kazuhiro Soda, this film offers a profound and intimate look at the lives of street…

WIFT members, director, and producer, Anna Cottrell, co-producer, Nicola Olsen, and director and production manager, Glenis Giles, are behind the inspiring series, Shine On Katherine Mansfield, that highlights the life and times of creatives who find inspiration in Mansfield's writing and wild, exotic life. The…

The Dunedin Film Office at Enterprise Dunedin, is calling for applications from Dunedin-based screenwriters and producers for this year’s Dunedin Script Accelerator Grant.

They are looking for new and bold stories for both feature films and series that are clearly set in Dunedin. For this…

NZFC’s new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Guiding Principles, released last week, are grounded in a commitment to human creativity, cultural integrity, and ethical responsibility. These principles are in alignment with those published by Screen Australia. 

Chris Payne, who leads NZFC’s AI Working Group said, “We support…

Script to Screen presents their 11th edition of the Big Screen Symposium in 2025. Join n Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland on Fri 4th & Sat 5th July at the University of Auckland, City Campus.

Below is a message from Dale Corlett, the new Executive Director Script…

It’s time to flex your pitching muscles – then applications for this year’s MIFF 37°South Market are now open, and if you apply by 14 April you receive the Early Bird discount.

Now in its 18th year, MIFF 37°South Market will bring the global screen…

Prior to the  Māoriland Film Festival, last week, NZFC released a new episode, hosted by WIFT member, Annabelle Lee-Mather for a rich kōrero that spans community, creativity, and cultural power, with Festival Director Maddy Hakaraia de Young and introducing later in the episode, Screen Wellington’s,…

Check out ​​the 2025 Winter Season of Short Films hosted by Show Me Show Me Shorts. Each month they spotlight a different country’s cinema, showcasing the rising filmmaking talent shaping the future. This winter, join for these fun and informal screenings to warm up your…

Co-Production and Incentives Coordinator
NZFC

Video Content Producer
TVNZ

Junior/Intermediate Digital Producer
PHQ

Content Coordinator
Shakti Mats

Digital Content Creator
NZ Digital

Videographer
New Zealand Police

Content Creation & Podcast/Videography - Industry Mentor
Crescendo Trust of Aotearoa

Content Creator
Boxer 

Part-Time Projectionist
The Capitol Theatre 

Senior Video Editor / Animator
Radlab

Check out this beautiful new docu-series, Choir Games, from our member, director Leanne Pooley. Congratulations to the entire team, which includes a handful of WIFT members: Julia Parnell and Briar March, as Field Directors, Catherine Madigan as Line Producer, and Karen Sidney as Associate Producer.

A powerful selection of non-fiction projects exploring contemporary issues and Māori stories—both past and present—have received support in the latest NZ On Air funding round.

In total, twenty non-fiction projects have been funded, with just under $7.8 million allocated.

“This round has seen an even…

Last night, I had the privilege of attending the premiere of Marlon Williams: Ngā Ao E Rua - Two Worlds, the new documentary on celebrated musician and artist Marlon Williams directed by WIFT member, Ursula Grace Williams. This is her first feature film. 

I caught…

We congratulate our members who’ve been selected as recipients in the 2024/25 General Audience Round 2 from Te Māngai Pāho. In total 19 applications were approved, totalling up to $9,320,017.30

Waka Huia, 30 x 29’, Scottie Douglas Productions Limited for TVNZ 1, up to $1,562,325

We extend a gigantic warm welcome to our new members! We are thrilled to have you apart of our strong and growing WIFT NZ community. 

Renee Heayns, Alex Farley, Tom Roy, Shirlene Vautier, Shu Run Yap, Christopher Coleman, Brenna Quinlivan, Jordyn James-Maxwell, Jo Hiles, Joe…

Film Bay of Plenty extends heartfelt thanks to Sharon Menzies as she departs from their Board following her appointment to the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) Board of Directors. NZFC shared, “Renowned for being a strong advocate of the film industry, she brings over 25…

The Silo Theatre Trust Board have announced acclaimed Aotearoa screenwriter, theatremaker, actor, and WIFT member Sophie Henderson as its new Artistic Director! Congratulations Sophie.

Starting July 2025, Sophie will join Executive Director Tim Blake to co-lead Silo Theatre’s next four years of programming and strategic…

Congratulations to WIFT members Leigh Minarapa and Sapna Samant for their selection into the South Shorts Mentorship Programme!  

From July to November, the participants will embark on an incredible journey of development led by acclaimed screenwriter and director Briar Grace-Smith (Cousins, Rūrangi, Waru).  

Sapna Samant…

The documentary, The Whales, Rats and Kauri has now received full funding. Congratulations to producer Kim Webby, and her team!

The funding has come from NZOA Round Toru for digital transmission on RNZ Digital, along with Development Funding from NZFC and funding from PIC Media…

The podcast, Lights, Camera, Kōrero, returns with a timely and thought-provoking episode exploring the rise of Artificial Intelligence and its implications for the future of storytelling.

Host Kate Rodger leads a compelling discussion with Frances Valintine CNZM (academyEX) and Alice Shearman (New Zealand Writers Guild…

Members, don’t miss this special screening of I Am a Dark River, directed by WIFT member Tessa Mitchell — a performance documentary about legendary New Zealand typographer Bob Lowry. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with the director.

Bob Lowry, a pioneer…

Screen Canterbury, and WIFT member, Petrina D’Rozario recently travelled to India to deepen industry connections and promote Aotearoa as a filming destination.

Aotearoa has a co-production treaty with India that is currently under utilised. Petrina embarked on a trip to Mumbai and Hyderabad to meet…

Below is a list of new amazing content from our members on TVNZ+. ENJOY!

Bird's Eye View
A flock of feathered friends sit together to ponder and debate the bizarre behaviour of humans in their natural habitat. Made with the support of NZ On Air. Watch…

Aotearoa’s VFX and animation sector is becoming an international powerhouse of original content, innovation, and imagination! Research shows 63% of New Zealand’s VFX and animation studios are creating original IP — building new worlds, telling bold stories, and developing creative technology ready for the global…

Our wonderfully bold, dynamic and hilarious WIFT members have shows coming up this month at the NZ International Comedy Festival:

Me, My Mother and Suzy Cato (Part of NZ International Comedy Festival), is written and performed by Florence Hartigan (Madam). The show is a hilarious…

An original feature, First Place, was released on The Coconet TV this week. 

Congratulations to the team on this project. This film was executive produced by WIFT members Lisa Taouma, and Nicola Smith.

New Pasifika rangitahi feature First Place is a love letter to school…

Boosted X Moana are on the lookout for 10 Pasifika-led creative projects to be part of their next crowdfunding cohort. If your project is guided by a strong Pasifika kaupapa or led by Pasifika creatives, they’d love to hear from you.

All selected projects are…

Seed & Seed Advanced are screenwriter-only feature film script development grants. There are two pathways available in the grants, Seed & Seed Advanced.

Seed is open to emerging writers who haven’t yet written and had a feature film produced.

• 6 x Seed Grants of $10,000…

The Activator Screen Business Programme is an international professional development accelerator for entrepreneurial New Zealand film and television producers.

Ian Gregory (113 Partners) and Richard Fletcher (Libertine Pictures) spoke in detail about the Activator Screen Business Programme and what is required to apply for the…

Founded and led by Sundance Institute and Women In Film, Los Angeles (WIF), the ReFrame Stamp is awarded annually to narrative Feature Films and Television that hire women, those who are non-binary and/or gender non-conforming, and trans people of all genders in key roles across…

Want fairer conditions and pay? What are your rights?How do you set realistic expectations for your work?

New Zealand Writers Guild, Directors and Editors Guild Aotearoa New Zealand, and Equity NZ are coming to a centre near you to discuss SIWA.

In a series of…

"I'm not sure if people in New Zealand understand that relationship between a rich country like ours and a country that's being extracted from like that." Carl. 

Carl, filmmaker and cafe owner and Bhagya, travel to their motherland of Sri Lanka to visit forest gardens,…

Now in its 20th edition, Doc Edge Industry returns 30 June – 3 July 2025 at the Grand Millennium Auckland, continuing its legacy as the Asia-Pacific hub for documentary innovation. Held as part of the Oscar®-qualifying Doc Edge Festival, the four-day event offers a recharged…

The French Film Festival Aotearoa returns from May 28, bringing the magic of French cinema to audiences across 24 towns and cities - including exciting new additions Waiheke Island, Cambridge, Tākaka, and Queenstown.

The 2025 edition features 23 hand-selected films, showcasing the very best of…

A reminder to filmmakers, Show Me Shorts regular submission deadline is 1 May. Got an excellent short film? They’d love to see it! Apply Here

Check out their Winter Season Short Film lineup. See here.

Additionally, at the Show Me Shorts HQ, they have a…

The RNZ team are very pleased to announce that the new, purpose built RNZ Video section went live last week, and they are inviting you to explore the initial offering of 78+ titles (with many more still being transitioned over). 

From history and politics to…

In preparation for BSS 2025, they are inviting content and speaker suggestions from screen industry professionals, as well as expressions of interest from speakers who would like to contribute to the program. Who would you like to hear from this year? Are there any topics…

TVNZ+ Digital Video Producer
TVNZ 

Part-Time Coordinator
Better Public Media 

Video Journalist
The Spinoff 

News Producers
TVNZ

Supervising Producer Seven Sharp
TVNZ

Video Editor
Boxer 

Videographer / Editor
Digital Simple

Digital Content Creator
NZ Digital

Set-up Producer - The Mike Hosking Breakfast
NZME 

Overnight Producer - Auckland
RNZ

Overnight Producer (Christchurch)
RNZ

Overnight Producer (Wellington)
RNZ