Archive June 2025 2025

Doc Edge, New Zealand’s premier international documentary festival and an Oscar®-qualifying event, has officially announced the finalists for the Doc Edge Awards 2025. The ceremony will take place on Thursday, 3 July, at the Grand Millennium Auckland.

A huge congratulations to our incredible members who…

We’re proud to celebrate WIFT member Loren Taylor, whose feature film The Moon is Upside Down continues to make waves internationally. This beautifully crafted New Zealand film recently screened with the Irish Film Institute, resonating with audiences through its poignant storytelling and distinctive vision. The…

We’re thrilled to share that two incredible WIFT NZ members have been recognised in the 2025 King's Birthday Honours, receiving appointments as Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM).

These honours celebrate outstanding service and achievement across Aotearoa, and we are proud to…

Our members, screenwriter Fiona Samuel (Consent, Bliss, Piece of My Heart),  and producer Vicky Pope (Savage, Went Up The Hill, Gardening with Soul) are behind this impactful, and tender film coming to cinemas nationwide on October 30, 2025. 

The film had its World Premiere at…

We’re proud to share that WIFT member Madison Grigg will be working as Art Director on Takahoa, a powerful new production that showcases local talent and storytelling. Their Boosted Campaign is now live, so please donate so this crew can bring their creative vision to…

Mind Menders- Join presenter Sonia Gray – a long-time advocate for normalising conversation around mental health who has bravely shared her own struggles with anxiety – as she goes on a mission to investigate whether psychedelic drugs could offer better treatment options for New Zealand’s…

The Women Calling the Shots showcase of short films made by women filmmakers will take place at the 33rd Annual Hamptons International Film Festival (October 3-13, 2025).

A partnership between the Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF) and New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT),…

This NZFC fund is designed to support narrative short films (including animation), and help emerging filmmakers develop their feature filmmaking skills through powerful short-form storytelling. There is up to $90,000 available for the production of the short film! Get your applications in!

Closes: Monday 23…

Doc Edge is excited to announce that Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga NZ Film Commission has provided an additional ten scholarships for emerging or mid-career individuals to attend the Doc Edge Forum 2025. The deadline for applications is 5pm, Thursday 12 June. 

Attending Doc Edge Forum…

The Big Screen Symposium is back on 4–5 July, in Tāmaki Makaurau and it's shaping up to be an unmissable two days of inspiration, information, connection, and industry insight. Whether you're a seasoned professional or emerging talent, the Big Screen Symposium is your chance to…

Get ready for Aotearoa’s wildest weekend of filmmaking — Vista Foundation 48Hours is back for 2025! Registration is open from June 16th. Watch the trailer

Teams from across the motu will write, shoot, and edit a short film in just one chaotic, creative weekend: August…

The 2025 New Zealand Screen Awards will open for your nominations on Monday, June 30th, 2025.

The New Zealand Television Awards are undergoing a major evolution this year, expanding to become the New Zealand Screen Awards (NZSA), now celebrating excellence across all screen content, including…

SAE Institute Auckland, New Zealand (SAE) have announced that applications are now open for the 2026 academic year.

Students passionate about launching a career in music, audio, film, or songwriting are encouraged to apply. SAE offers a hands-on learning environment within  industry-standard facilities, with students…

The ScreenSafe Behind the Scenes NZ – Te Oranga Hinengaro Mental Health Survey will remain open for one more month, now closing on 1 July 2025.

ScreenSafe has had a fantastic response so far, but still need more voices to truly capture the needs of…

Mark your calendars—as TIFF celebrates this milestone of five decades of cinema. The 50th Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, will run September 4–14, 2025. Celebrate with the best of Canadian and global cinema, special events and talks with stars, plus TIFF's Industry Conference.

The NZCS are offering a collaboration between acclaimed cinematographer Denson Baker ACS NZCS, and lighting manufacturer Aputure, in a practical Lighting Masterclass that will include recreating some of his iconic imagery from the award winning TV series The Luminaries. 

Saturday 14th June, 9.00am-5.00pm, Auckland.

Originally…

Roseanne Liang is no stranger to genre-bending storytelling, and with Murderbot, she steps into the world of awkward, action-packed sci-fi with her blend of wit and humanity. Known for films like Shadow in the Cloud and local series Creamerie, Roseanne brings a fresh perspective to…

Earlier this month Māoriland presented the international launch of The Māoriland Indigenous Co-Lab (MICL) feature film slate at the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival in Toronto, Canada. We are thrilled to see the evolution of this project on the world stage. Congratulations to our…

Congratulations to WIFT member Lyn Collie who has associate-produced award-winning climate change feature doc Oceania: Journey to the Center. If you’re curious, the NZ premiere is in Auckland on July 2 at Doc Edge.

Three further screenings and virtual access will be available across the motu…

We’re excited to announce the series Dead Ahead will be released on TVNZ+ on Monday 30th June. Congratulations to the entire team!

Produced by WIFT member Nicole Horan.

Dead Ahead is a brand-new local comedy series that follows the Wharekoa whānau as they return to…

We are thrilled to offer 5 double passes to the New Zealand documentary film The House Within courtesy of Vendetta Films.The film arrives in cinemas on 17th July.

The House Within is a documentary film on the internationally celebrated New Zealand writer Dame Fiona Kidman…

Congratulations to WIFT member Francesca Carney as the new Across Aotearoa Regional Manager. With 20+ years in film and TV, experience at the NZ Film Commission, and a passion for championing local storytellers, Francesca steps into the role with the Vista Foundation 48Hours to support…

NZ On Screen have launched the Behind the Scenes Collection — revealing the magic, misfires and mahi behind some of Aotearoa’s most iconic screen productions, including many of our members’ projects.

Spanning more than 50 titles, the collection features rare interviews, on-set footage and documentaries…

NZ on Air have produced guidance on how they will assess funding applications that propose the use of AI or GenAI in the creation of screen and music content.

This guidance is not intended to regulate AI use across the entire industry or to enforce…

Ngā Aho Whakaari is currently accepting applications for the Aho Shorts Development Lab 2025. 

This programme is a talent-development initiative seeking to support the growth of Māori writers, directors & producers through practical participation in the development and packaging of short film projects.

Key Dates

The NZ Film Commission has secured six international placements with world-leading film companies for 2025/26. These are open to writers, directors and producers who have received NZFC development funding, or have been through an intensive NZFC funded development programme.  For example, (but not limited to)…

Big Screen Symposium is just around the corner on 4–5 July. A brilliant lineup of speakers has already been announced, and below are more standout talks to add to your itinerary.

TINĀ – STAYING TRUE TO YOUR VOICE
Writer/director/producer Miki Magasiva along with producers Mario Gaoa…

Entry for C21's International Drama Awards is now open!

The awards will be judged by 100 of the world's leading drama commissioners. Entry closes on October 2, 2025 – don't miss out!

YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE AWARDS AND ENTER ONLINE BY CLICKING…

Take this survey and help ScreenSafe shape the future of mental health in the NZ screen sector.

This survey is a crucial initiative designed to understand and improve mental health and well-being within the Aotearoa screen sector. Please take the time to participate and help…

The 8th New Zealand Cinematographer Awards shines a spotlight on the craft, creativity, and talent behind the wide ranging and world-class cinematography in Aotearoa, and their entries are open. 

The media submission process is now quicker and easier, along with other refinements. Be sure to…

The upcoming 3rd annual Misty Flicks film festival takes place on Friday, 31st October – Sunday, 2nd November at the Regent Cinema in Te Awamutu, and they are currently open for submissions. Submit feature, short and youth films by 31st July.

Join for a weekend…

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