On our Radar

THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME?

After 19 years of tracking representation in Hollywood's top-grossing movies, Dr. Stacy L. Smith and the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative's newest study finds that meaningful progress for all groups remains elusive.

The annual report, Inequality in 1,900 Films, is the latest from Dr. Smith and…

The way we watch stories is changing. As vertical storytelling reshapes the screen industry, how can emerging filmmakers turn scrolling into sustainable careers?

DEGANZ welcomes you to their upcoming Young Creators event, bringing together two emerging filmmakers, Liv McClymont and Taylor Nixon, for a conversation about creating original vertical series that are redefining how stories…

The Show Me Shorts 2026 Opening Night dates have been announced, and tickets are now on sale!

The full festival programme will be revealed on Monday 14 September, with more information about the films, filmmakers and events that make up this year’s season. The Show Me Shorts team is busy behind the scenes building the…

For the sixth year running, Boosted X Moana is supporting Pasifika creatives to bring their kaupapa to life through crowdfunding and they are pleased to announce that registrations for the second 2026 cohort are now open.

Key dates

Registrations opened: Monday 24 August

Registrations close: Monday 7 September at 5:00pm

Selected projects will receive match…

Spada is excited to announce that nominations are now OPEN for the 28th Annual Spada Screen Industry Awards, to be held on Thursday 29 October 2026 at The Maritime Room, Princes Wharf, Auckland.

Now in its 28th year, the Awards continue a long-held tradition of celebrating the talented and dedicated people who make up our…

Screen Industry training specialists, SHARE THE KNOWLEDGE and leading educational provider in Māori Performing Arts, TE WĀNANGA WHARE TAPERE O TAKITIMU, in partnership with INDUSTRY SCREEN TRAINING BOARD and with support from NZ on AIR and NETFLIX, have designed an industry-led screen industry skills programme for below the line crew – KAHURANGI TOI ĀTEA (KTA).

Back by popular demand! Strengthening Governance in the Creative Sector: A free programme for experienced creative sector governors, Presented by Te Taumata Toi-a-Iwi in partnership with Auckland Council

Experienced creative sector governors are invited by Auckland Council and Te Taumata Toi-a-Iwi to join Strengthening Governance in the Creative Sector. If you are ready to take…

A reminder that there is just over one month left to enter the 2026 Rose d’Or Awards - celebrating the best in global television, digital and audio.

Last year, the 64th Rose d’Or Awards celebrated more than 600 entries from 30 countries. Netflix’s Adolescence led the way, winning Drama, Emerging Talent and the Golden Rose,…

 Seed and Seed Advanced Grants

Seed Grants represent an opportunity for writers to be innovative, to be brilliant, and to be excited to create something they own. Seed grants are the home of new and original stories. No constraints on genre, content, characters, location or even the space-time continuum. ​

Seed is for emerging…

Ready to take your feature film project to its next stage? 

Applications are now open for Story Camp Aotearoa 2027, Script to Screen’s intensive five-day residential feature film development lab. 

Story Camp gives selected writers and creative teams something increasingly rare: dedicated time and space to focus entirely on their project, supported by exceptional local…

Te Arero Toi is a free one-day scriptwriting workshop for Māori writers that aims to increase the number of plays written in te reo Māori. Through a mix of practical writing exercises and kōrero, the mission is to amplify pūrākau from te ao Māori by growing the confidence of our te reo Māori writers to…

Get ready to apply for Day One Shorts 2027!

Day One Shorts 2027 is seeking diverse emerging directors without prior NZ on Air, Te Māngai Pāho or NZ Film Commission production funding to make their first professionally funded short film. 

Directors must be either aged 18-29 or apply under the 30+ sub-category for new and…

Looking to build a career in the global screen industry?

Applications are now open for NZFC's International Acquisitions and Distribution Placement with STUDIOCANAL Australia & NZ, offering an emerging filmmaker the opportunity to gain practical experience across film acquisitions and distribution.

The placement includes exposure to script evaluation, market preparation, content acquisition research and release strategy, plus…

Screen NZ International is seeking your feedback on the current state of New Zealand’s international screen sector. The more people who participate, the stronger the evidence they can provide to Government on the issues affecting crew, businesses and production, and the stronger the case for policy improvements that support a sustainable, globally competitive screen industry.…

Looking for your next animation collaborators?

Calling all writers, directors, producers, animators, studios and emerging creators from Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world!

Featuring: Craig Bartlett (Hey Arnold!), Rebecca Gibson (Eagle Vision), Ricard Cussó (Cosmic Dino), Colin Bennett (Toon Boom), Dave Mullins and Brad Booker (ElectroLeague), Joseph Bell (VFX World Atlas), Arman Haque (Glitch Productions),…

Day One Shorts is NOW OPEN for applications and they are commissioning new short films for 2027 from emerging filmmakers across Aotearoa.

If you're an early-career director with a strong idea and the drive to make it happen, they'd love to hear from you. They are particularly excited to see bold new voices, fresh perspectives,…

Have you got a Feature Film or TV Series script and want to take it to the next level?

Te Puna Matarau | The Canterbury Screen Industry Association has successfully run creative screen incubator programmes for Waithaha Canterbury-based filmmakers over the last 3 years, focusing on creative development of long-form feature film and TV series scripts.…

The NZFC is running their Filmmaker Cuppa Tea Event in Auckland and Wellington to chat with the funding team and other fellow filmmakers.

Wellington
4 September, 10.00am-12.00pm: NZ Film Commission, Level 1, 2-12 Allen Street, Te Aro

Auckland
11 September, 10.00am-12.00pm: Location TBC

To RSVP for either event, please click here.

NZWG 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner

Celebrating 50 Years Supporting Screenwriters in Aotearoa New Zealand

Tickets on now on sale for the upcoming NZWG 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner!

Don't miss out, there are only 200 available and they're flying out the door so head HERE to book pronto.

NZWG Turns 50

Fifty years of stories. Millions…

On Saturday 8 August, Kim will take participants behind the scenes of the Art Department, exploring how scripts, storyboards and ideas are transformed into fully realised screen environments.

Learn directly from one of the industry’s most experienced design professionals, build practical skills you can apply to your own work, and connect with others from across…

19–20 April 2027 | University of Waikato (In-person)

Proposals are invited for Expanded Documentary in Aotearoa, a two-day conference exploring the evolving forms, practices, and possibilities of documentary in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Drawing inspiration from Jihoon Kim's concept of documentary's "expanded field", the conference asks what documentary might be—or become—beyond conventional understandings of nonfiction cinema.…

The date of the 2026 New Zealand Screen awards has been announced - so book your diary in INK for Thursday November 19th 2026!

More details on the red carpet kiwi screen event of the year still to come but make haste Dear WIFT NZ creatives and make sure all your magnificent mahi is in…

Learn from acclaimed Australian director and producer Natalie Bailey at DEGANZ's next Director's Masterclass.

Whether you're looking to sharpen your directing practice, explore new career pathways, or receive expert feedback on a project in development, there are two ways to learn from Natalie:

🎥 Director's Masterclass

Spend the morning with Natalie as she shares insights…

You're warmly invited to join TEQ Talks Wellington on Thursday 13 August for an evening of inspiring presentations, networking and conversations with Wellington colleagues. 

Join the Visual Effects Society NZ Chapter, Visual Effects Professionals Guild and Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington for an evening of talks, networking and drinks featuring four screen industry practitioners.

The lovely folk at NZCS are hosting a Virtual Production event Thursday evening July 30th at the Reel Factory in Rosedale, Auckland.

It's a hands-on demo and talk about virtual production and shooting on giant volume walls presented by Bevan and DJ, two Kiwi DOPs who shot parts of Taika's Time Bandits.

They will be presenting…

What does it mean to make screen stories in Ōtautahi?

Join the NZWG on 17 September for a special Christchurch edition of the New Zealand Writers Guild's 50th anniversary panel series, a live, in-person conversation with screenwriters, a critic, and an academic whose work, lives, and careers are woven into the fabric of this city.

The brilliant Doc Edge is heading to Ōtautahi Christchurch!

From 31 July to 2 August, the Jack Mann Theatre at Kōawa Studios, University of Canterbury, becomes home to a handpicked selection of the best of Doc Edge 2026 including award-winners, films with a Christchurch connection, and a local immersive project.

The stunning 165-seat Jack Mann…

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

The awards will be judged by 100 of the world’s leading drama commissioners and entry will closes on October 2 – don’t miss out!

The awards feature 12 categories, from Best English-Language Series to Best Newform Drama Series.

All entries must have had their first broadcast…

The brilliant folk at Professional Lighting Services are hosting a ‘Night with NANLUX’, presented with Reico and Sean from NANLUX headquarters, Guangdong.

They will showcase their full range of Lighting fixtures - from the Evoke 5C to the 5000B and everything in-between, making this a fantastic opportunity to explore the range and learn about NANLUX…

For Life | Ömür Boyu, a TRT World documentary from Mariam Chehab selected at DocEdge Festival.

The film follows Hind, a Palestinian woman determined to become a mother while her husband serves a life sentence in an Israeli prison. The couple resort to smuggling the husband's sperm out of prison for the wife to undergo…

After 13 years of support from Foundation North, applications are now open for the 2026 South Shorts Script Mentorship programme.

This programme will continue to support new and emerging screenwriters from the South Auckland community* to enhance their screenwriting capabilities. Take the leap and submit your story ideas to be a part of this unique…

On 1 July, the NZFC, NZ On Air, and Te Māngai Pāho are launching Te Pae Matarau - The Everyone Project Aotearoa. This is a survey tool that measures demographics in the screen sector. 

New Zealand does not currently collect consistent, screen workforce data across roles and productions. Te Pae Matarau fills this gap, enabling…

Time to sharpen your pencils and get your entries in for the 2026 New Zealand Screen Awards!

Eligibility Period

- Television Entries

First New Zealand broadcast between 1 July 2025 – 30 June 2026

- Film Entries

First theatrical release between 1 July 2025 – 30 June 2026

Before submitting, please take a moment to…

The Screen Auckland Protocol replaces the Auckland Film Protocol 2019, and is no longer a formal Auckland Council policy. It's now an operational document maintained by Screen Auckland, which means they can update it as the industry evolves without a full elected-member approval process.

This change creates more access to filming in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

NZ On Air/Te Māngai Pāho Co-Fund

Deadline for pitch submissions is Thursday 9 July 2026 at 6pm. 

Te Māngai Pāho Mōhiohio

Deadline for pitch submissions is Thursday 23 July 2026 at 6pm. 

NZ On Air Round Rua

Deadline for pitch submissions is Thursday 30 July 2026 at 6pm. 

All pitches must be submitted in their…

The International Format Awards have opened for entries, and the winners will be crowned at a gala awards dinner at Content Europe in Lisbon next April – the new home for the leading awards in the global format business, celebrating their 20th year.

Produced in association with FRAPA, the awards recognise creativity and excellence across 11…

From documentary to animation and drama to science fiction this collection of short films brings together intimate, surprising and deeply human stories from top Iranian filmmakers.

The films explore the choices we make, the losses we carry, the people we show up for and the beauty around us. Join us as we follow a nomadic…

Join DEGANZ and the Screen Music and Sound Guild for a candid conversation with the creative team of The Weed Eaters.

Director Callum Devlin, composer Callum Passells, and producer Annabel Kean will share how they approached the music on their debut feature, from evolving pre-existing creative relationships and developing a shared language to making practical…

As DocEdge says "We programme for the curious, the concerned, and the moved" and this year's stellar programme looks to serve that need ten-fold as they celebrate 21 years of this must-book festival!

This year's 87 films and immersive projects span 40 countries and take you from the bottom of the ocean to the top…

Two award-winning WIFT NZ women, Roseanne Liang and Perlina Lau, have contributed to the Nostradamus Report "Challenging Projections" which was just released at the recent Cannes Film Festival.

Annually commissioned by the Göteborg Film Festival since 2013, the Nostradamus Report analyses and forecasts the near future of the audiovisual industries through research and interviews with…

From intimate dramas to visionary futures, this compelling collection of Turkish short films showcases the depth and diversity of contemporary Turkish cinema. Across five striking films, audiences will encounter gripping mysteries, shadowy animation, climate futures, and powerful stories of resilience, grief, and discovery. Bold, imaginative and emotionally rich, this is an essential night for lovers…

With 28 world premieres, a jam-packed Doc Edge Industry forum, and their largest-ever immersive exhibition in collaboration with World Press Photo, the Doc Edge Festival can't wait to welcome you next month.

Browse the films and save big on the 8-pack pass  and don't forget that members get the best pricing on ticket sales.

FILM…

Are you interested in developing an international Co-production?

The recording of the Official Screen Australian Co-production AMA (Ask Me Anything) webinar is available to watch now. 

Hear from Screen Australia POCU Advisor (Producer Offset and Co-production) Michele McDonald, Senior Manager Ryan Hodgson and First Nations Investment Manager Samuel Paynter to find out more about the…

Momentum for TIFF: The Market is building worldwide. The enthusiastic response includes 200 buyers invited from Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Selected in consultation with some of the premier sales agencies in the world, these buyers represent an impressive mix of first-time and returning TIFF participants.

The Market’s prime inventory is…

If you're planning to submit a short, feature, youth, or challenge film for the 2026 Misty Flicks Film Festival, now is the time to get it finished and submitted.

The deadline is 30 June, and all entries must be received by then to be considered.

Whether this is your first film or your 20th, Misty…

NZ On Screen - the home of New Zealand’s screen heritage, has relaunched with a brand new website and a major new feature: a transactional video-on-demand service bringing a growing selection of feature films to Kiwi audiences, on a platform dedicated exclusively to New Zealand screen culture.

As part of the relaunch, films from NZ…

Local short films will hit library screens for Youth Week.

Day One Hāpai te Haeata is excited to present Youth Voices on Screen – a vibrant programme of short films made by young, emerging filmmakers. 

It will play at Moerā Neighbourhood Hub, Te Matapihi Ki Te Ao Nui Wellington Library and Te Ao Mārama Tauranga…

The team at MIFF Industry is thrilled to announce two brand new initiatives to facilitate greater industry access and pathways, made possible by Westgarth Foundation.

37°South: Producer Accelerator will support emerging and early-career producers participating in the Market’s Bridging The Gap or Breakthru Screenings modules, equipping them with the skills and insights needed to refine…

The Southern Documentary Accelerator is a new initiative from Short Film Otago to support emerging documentary filmmakers in the Otago and Southland region.  The project supports filmmakers to develop their documentary storytelling and filmmaking from conception through to production. 

The project is run in three stages, - filmmakers can make a submission at any stage…

As WIFF prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary, they are excited to begin curating a dynamic week of film, conversation, and connection in New York City this fall.

Save The Date: 

October 21-26 2026 |

New York City

One of the things they value most at WIFF is community — creating opportunities for women to…

The Rose d’Or Awards are delighted to announce that Ania Magliano – a breakout star of Sky’s new hit Saturday Night Live UK – will host the 2026 Rose d’Or Awards.

Entries are open now, with the Award Ceremony taking place on Monday 30 November 2026 at Kings Place in London.

Now in its 65th…

Now is the time to register for Content London on the MAY EARLY BIRD rate of just £799GBP – saving £600GBP – with a fully refundable ticket.

To take advantage of this rate now – with the security of a fully refundable ticket – CLICK HERE.

Content London remains the most progressive conference, market and…

NYWIFT is holding a virtual event for writers "The Business of Adaptations for Film & TV 2026" and is inviting WIFT NZ members to join.

Agents, Hollywood producers, and publishers are always searching for the next great story, but not all writers start from scratch. Oftentimes, ideas come from the things we see, read, write…

What do Cannes first-timers get wrong?

The brilliant film industry guru Stephen Follows has published the definitive guide for first-timers (and experienced attendees!) at the Cannes Fim Festival, which kicks off this week.

Stephen covers off everything from:

• Accreditation: Which badge do I need?
• The badge colour thing: is the caste system real? (Yes. And…

Don’t delay – Second Round applications for this year’s 37°South Market are closing on 8 May. Apply now for discounted pricing and to get your projects in front of influential buyers and financiers.

MIFF 37°South Market (6–9 August 2026) is your passport to the global marketplace, right here in Melbourne. Past attendees of this unmissable…

Discover a vibrant collection of Cambodian short films that blend humour, heart, and a touch of the surreal. From stubborn resistance to change and workplace pressures to family dynamics, food obsessions, and the occasional ghostly encounter, these stories offer a playful yet thoughtful reflection on modern life. Expect a mix of drama, comedy, thriller, and…

Aotearoa New Zealand's first-ever hybrid AI short film competition FutureFrames:NZ has officially launched, and entries are now open until 10 May.

Made possible with support from NZFC, NZ on Air, Screen Auckland, SAE, and APRA AMCOS, FutureFrames:NZ invites filmmakers at any stage of their career to explore hybrid filmmaking, with human storytelling at the centre…

The Te Waiwhakaata Wairarapa Film Festival returns and is now on until 3 May 2026 with a rich programme of films, special events, and guest speakers celebrating storytelling through cinema.

This year’s programme includes a Barry Barclay retrospective featuring Wairarapa (1965), and an Annie Goldson retrospective marking 25 years of Georgie Girl. As part of…

48Hours is so stoked and proud to share some monumental news from their 2025 Grand Champions, Positive Barry.

The revamped version of their winning film, Grounded, has been officially selected for the ‘Young Audiences Short Film Competitionʻ at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2026, the largest animation film festival in the world.

The team's…

Registrations are invited for the inaugural edition of TIFF: The Market (September 10—16, 2026), a seven-day expansion of the Toronto International Film Festival. 

This bold new initiative brings together buyers, sellers, creators, producers, and experts across film, series, and innovation for a truly comprehensive and exciting experience. 

Select the pass type that best suits your…

Join DEGANZ for a special conversation with veteran Country Calendar directors Celia Jaspers, Roz Mason, and Howard Taylor, moderated by fellow factual filmmaker Zoe McIntosh, as they share what it takes to bring the stories of rural Aotearoa New Zealand to the screen.

They'll discuss:

How they build trust with the people behind the stories

Studio West, the long-standing film and television production facility owned, operated and grown by WIFT NZ member Kay Howe and her husband Glenn, has been acquired by Āriki Group Ltd, owned by founders - Jason Momoa, Taika Waititi and Cliff Curtis.

Kay and Glenn have poured their heart and soul into the world class production…

YouTube show Takahoa started as something small and personal, and quickly turned into something way bigger.

In April 2025, WIFT NZ members Monet Bailey Ngatai and Jess Sewell created the pilot script and series outline for Takahoa, a name meaning “to befriend” in Te Reo Māori. Inspired by Monet’s experience of being Māori Pākehā, the story…

The 2026 New Zealand Mountain Film Festival is now open for entries, inviting storytellers from Aotearoa and around the world to share work that inspires, challenges and connects.

If your work explores adventure, environment, exploration, or the human stories shaped by wild places this festival is for you!

Key dates:

• Book Competition entries close 15 March
• Film…

The SMSG is inviting you all to share this exciting opportunity to hear from the industry's very best.

The Sound of Avatar: Fire and Ash brings together three Wellington-based members of the film’s sound team, supervising sound editor Brent Burge, sound designer Hayden Collow, and supervising dialogue editor Martin Kwok, for a conversation on their…

If you're looking to finance your next project, meet the people who can make it happen at this year’s 37°South Market at MIFF.

Applications are now open for the 19th edition of 37°South Market, which brings the global screen-financing marketplace to the heart of Melbourne. The core focus of this selective event is giving producers…

Attention all WIFT filmmakers, NZ On Air is pleased to be hosting a New Music Pan-Asian funding webinar, which they will be holding on Monday 30 March from 5-6pm, ahead of the round opening on Thursday 9 April.

In this informal and interactive online session, the team will be on hand to share some helpful advice…

Content London has opened registration for the 2026 event with a SUPER EARLYBIRD RATE of just £699.

The rate is designed to make the three-day event affordable for ALL in the tough economic climate.

There are a limited number of tickets available at this rate, and the offer ends April 30.

TO GRAB YOURS NOW,…

Screen NZ International are holding industry mixers in city and regional hubs country wide right now and the event will be Christchurch on April 1. 2026

The Screen NZ team is delighted to invite members of the Canterbury screen industry and related screen businesses to join them for a relaxed drink and a short presentation.

WIFT Member Pamela Kaval's youth-led short film The Psychic Arts Academy, produced through production company Wildaval Productions as part of the Waikato-based young filmmakers workshop programme, has been selected for the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival (an Oscar-qualifying festival running for over 30 years). The film will screen in the Filmmakers of Tomorrow Youth…

The NZFC will be participating in the Annecy International Animation Film Market (Mifa), running from 23-26 June 2026. 

NZFC @ Mifa 2026

The New Zealand Film Commission will again be hosting a pavilion in the Exhibition Area, from 23-26 June. The pavilion will be a shared space for New Zealanders with tables available for meetings.…

Screen NZ International is seeking industry feedback on the current state of New Zealand’s international screen sector.

As a valued industry member and/or business, you are invited to complete a short survey (3 to 4 minutes) to help inform an evidence-based report on the challenges facing the sector.

The responses they received to their July…

As part of the Wellington Animation Film Festival, the WAFF Industry Dayz Online and In-Person are open for filmmakers. Check the details below and make hastle to register proonto!

WAFF Industry Dayz 2026 — ONLINE

11 March – 2 April

Running across 4 weeknights, 2 Saturdays, over 1 month, WAFF Industry Dayz Online is built…

The wait is over. It’s time to clear your calendars, and start rounding up your crew. We are thrilled to announce that the Vista Foundation 48Hours 2026 will take place from:

7pm Friday,  31 July –  7pm Sunday, 02 August  2026

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran who lives for the creative weekend with friends or…

Enjoy six bold new Italian short films that explore life, love and memory. Passionate feelings, delicious cuisine, the romance of nature and her people burst onto screen.

The 10th annual Italian Short Film Night is presented by Show Me Shorts in partnership with the Embassy of Italy and don't waste time booking to see these Italian…

Win £10,000 to Fund Your Next Project, applications are now open for The Listening Pitch. 

@asffestival and @audible_uk have teamed up to fund documentaries that celebrate the transformative power of storytelling through sound.

Radical Listening is this year’s theme: a call to notice, connect, and truly hear amid the constant noise of contemporary life.

It…

Spada is proud to launch the 2026 Vincent Burke Scholarship, which aims to support the next generation of New Zealand producers by providing a grant of $5,000 to assist the advancement of their projects, companies, or careers.

2026 marks the second year this scholarship is offered with the inaugural 2025 Vincent Burke Scholarship awarded to…

The Wellington Animation Film Festival (WAFF) returns from 19 - 22 to March 2026 at the Roxy Cinema, celebrating the artistry, innovation, and storytelling of animation from around the world. Now in its third edition, WAFF offers an international programme of nine feature films, five short film collections and a series of industry-focused panels, showcasing…

The Directors and Editors Guild of Aotearoa New Zealand (DEGANZ) is proud to announce the establishment of the Aotearoa New Zealand Screen Editors (ANZSE) Accreditation for the art of editing.

ANZSE Accreditation recognises a master editor with a significant body of work that consistently meets a world-class standard.

The desire to establish ANZSE was driven…

Our friends at The Writers Lab are celebrating their 12th year! Submissions for their 2026 International Lab open February 12th. Please visit Scrybe to apply.

The Writers Lab has generously provided all WIFTI Chapter and Affiliate Members - incluing all of us at WIFTNZ with exclusive discount codes:

• Use code WIF at checkout to receive…

NZFC 2026 CANNES UPDATE

The NZFC will participate in the Cannes Film Market, running from 12-20 May 2026 and will also once again arrange meetings and events in London in the week immediately prior to Cannes (likely dates 6-8 May 2026, TBC).

NZFC @ Cannes 2026

The New Zealand office will again be based in…

Wellington Film Society’s 2026 programme is out! It consists of beloved classics and underseen gems from around the world and in a variety of genres, from action, drama, horror and musical. The programme features directors like Aotearoa icons Merata Mita and Geoff Murphy, Alfred Hitchcock, Lynne Ramsay, Wong Kar-wai, and Mikhail Kalatozov. Plus a bonus…