Ngā Whanaunga Aotearoa: New Zealand's Best 2026 Programme One features a swathe of up and coming plus established filmmakers, many of the them WIFT NZ members highlighted below - congrats to all for their selection!
Now in its second year as a combined programme, Ngā Whanaunga: Aotearoa New Zealand’s Best presents the very best of Māori and Pasifika filmmaking alongside the best films made by everyone in Aotearoa. Wairoa Māori Film Festival founder Leo Koziol (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rakaipaaka) and Pollywood Film Festival founder Craig Fasi (Niue) continue their role in short film programming, focusing their lens upon Ngā Whanaunga: Aotearoa New Zealand’s Best 2026 indigenous talent in their role as co-curators. Artistic Director Paolo Bertolin, Senior Programmer Carmen Gray, Programmer Heperi Mita (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakahemo, Ngāi te Rangi) and Programme Advisor Madison Marshall round out the selection committee.
- NZIFF
Yes David (2025)
Director, Screenplay: Ghazaleh Gol
Producer: Ashleigh Roworth
Arrival (2025)
Producers: Alyssa Medel and Isaiah Tour
Screenplay: Francesca Mackenzie
Tall Hours (2025)
Director, Screenplay: Sophie Black
Kurī (2025)
Director, Screenplay: Ana Chaya Scotney
Producer: Julie Zhu
Lady Shaka: Sonic Sands (2026)
Director: Ursula Grace Williams
To find screenings in your town, please click here for the full online programme