As 2025 comes to a close, let's celebrate the collaboration, contribution and community of the WIFT screen queens (and kings!) with an insight into all the storytellers who received funding from the New Zealand Film Commission. Whether it be for Script Development, Documentary Development, Production Investment or Finishing Grants, look at all these worthy recepients! And here's to many many more in 2026.
Script Development
- Sharlene George, Rouzie Hassanova – Blood Moon
- Paula Whetu Jones, Sharlene George, Rouzie Hassanova - Koha
- Gaylene Barnes, Virginia Wright – Child of the Sun
- Rachel Jean - Aroha
- Vicky Pope – The Desert Road
- Belindalee Hope – Free Fall
- Tracey Slaughter, Philida Perry – The Longest Drink In Town
- Morgan Leigh Stewart – In The Blood
- Ashleigh Roworth – The Mountain Is Hungry
- Tom Sainsbury, Jonathan Potton, Milon Tesiram – Foreign Body
- Alex Reed, Emma Mortimer – Maria, Take A Bow
- Gillian Ashurst, Catherine Fitzgerald - Inheritance
- Steve Barr – Yankee Otago
- Alyx Duncan, Michelle Powells, Emma Slade - Tenderwood
- Cushla Dillon - Null
- Emily Anderton, Emma Slade – Roaring Meg
- Nadia Maxwell - Salvage
- Angela Cudd – Hide The Dog
- Sophie Henderson, Ana Scotney – Scattergun: After the Death of Ruaumoko
- Philippa Campbell, Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu – Running Barefood
- Erica Cassidy – I Am Dali
- Sharlene George – The Blood Moon, The Wall, Kaimanawa
- Kerry Warkia – Whyte Xmas
- Dana Leaming – Awhi and Alize
- Sharlene George – Sons of Samoa
- Emma Slade – Spinners
- Kerry Warkia – Treading Water
- Gemma Gracewood, Alex Reed, Rachel Antony – Untitled Music Documentary
- Emma Slade, Victoria Dabbs – Life In The Ghost House
- Shoshana McCallum, Aidee Walker, Jill McNabb – Daisy Chain
- Bronwynn Bakker, Jackie van Beek, Armagan Ballantyne – Worst Best Friends
- Sharlene George, Morgan Leigh Stewart, Miria George – Mū
- Angela Cudd – Don Te Haute
- Carrisse Uta’i – Kakaia: Children of Tiki Kahu Kaiha
- Catherine Fitzgerald – Sweet Lips
- Jackie van Beek, Armagan Ballantyne – Heartbreak Hotel
- Craig Gainsborough – Massally
Documentary Development
- Gwen Isaac – Mad Merry
- Ursula Williams – The Last Rodeo
- Kim Webby, Hineani Melbourne – Wales Rates and Kauri
- Alex Reed, Jill McNabb – Cats In Conflict
- Selina Joe - Kiwi
- Marylin McFadyen, Leela Menon - Interference
- Kerry Warkia – Sukundimi Walks Before Me
- Pietra Bretkelly – Silhouette
- Emma Mortimer – Knights of Chalacyn
- Emma Mortimer – Taniwha
- Annie Goldson, Karen Sidney - Public Nuisance
Production Investment
- Selina Joe – L/Sgt. Haane
- Vicky Pope – Big Girls Don’t Cry
- Desray Armstrong – When Darkness Loves Us
- Georgina Conder - Caterpillar
- Pietra Bretkelly – Crocodile
- Emma Slade, Roxi Bull - God Bless You, Mr Kopu
Finishing Grants
- Desray Armstrong, Chelsea Winstanley – Toi Tu Toi Ora: Visual Sovereignty