A stellar selection of WIFT NZ creatives will be appearing at this year's Big Screen Symposium in July.
Directors Ursula Grace Williams and Vea Mafile’o will front a session called Truth Diggers.
Two of Aotearoa’s leading filmmakers, their documentary work spans Marlon Williams: Ngā Ao E Rua – Two Worlds, For My Father’s Kingdom and the upcoming Lomu. In this moderated conversation, they reflect on their beginnings and the trajectories that have shaped their practice, from early project discovery through to development and international recognition. Together, they explore how stories are carried forward, the realities of working across local and global contexts, and the persistence behind sustaining a creative life. The session considers how culture, values and identity might shape storytelling, offering insights relevant to any filmmaker navigating their own voice and practice
Fellow WIFT NZ members Tom Sainsbury and Holly Shervey will take the stage in a session called Owning Your Voice.
Both speakers are part of a growing wave of performers reshaping how screen careers are built, moving from auditioning for roles to creating work that reflects their own voice. In this conversation, they reflect on the origins of series including Crackhead and Small Town Scandal, and the creative and collaborative processes that brought them to screen. The session explores how actors can expand their craft, how producers might recognise and support emerging voices, and how building work around individual strengths can lead to more sustainable, audience-connected careers.
Registrations are open now for this years Big Screen Symposium: Click HERE to register.
Tickets include full access, catering, and networking drinks.
This unique screen industry event will be returning to the beautiful Te Pūtahi Mātauranga/ The Faculty of Arts and Education at the University of Auckland taking place Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th July 2026.
The symposium brings together practitioners from across the screen sector for two-days with local and international speakers and guests. Sessions will include keynote speeches, workshops, case studies, masterclasses, panel discussions, industry meetings and round tables, plus the engaging and thought-provoking Aotearoa Screen Debate.
Big Screen Symposium is a unique place to connect and network with other industry professionals, be inspired and invest in yourself and your future projects.