The revamped New Zealand Screen Awards was held on November 21 and what a nourishing, fun and inspriring collective celebration of the entire screen industry it was!
Among the many highlights of the evening was hearing and feeling the emotional tributes to the late Lee Tamahori from so many in the room who knew him as family, a friend, a mentor and an inspiration. Longtime Wiftie and reknowned producer Robin Scholes accepted Lee's Best Director award for his film The Convert and there wasn't a dry eye in the house. The film won several other awards for WIFT members, including Best Cinematography for Gin Loane and Best Costume Design for Liz McGregor.
One of the highlights of the night (somehow Sam is the highlight of any night!) was Sir Sam Neill honoured as Screen Legend 2025, and needless to say, he certainly is! He was introduced onto the stage by his friend and Harry co-star Oscar Kightley and as always, Sir Sam treated the room to his usual self-deprecating and hilarious chat from the podium as he accepted his award.
A huge hat tip to the organisers for getting the industry together as a whole once again, it was a well-overdue shin-dig after another "challenging" few years for our filmmakers, newsmakers and storytellers.
Here's the list of all our WIFT Winners - congrats and aroha to you all!
Best Comedy Programme
Vince
Kevin & Co.
Best Factual Series
Moving Houses
Imagination Television
New Zealand On Air Best Documentary – Series
Motuhaketanga
Black Iris Limited
Best Reality Series
The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes
Great Southern Television
Best Current Affairs Programme
The Hui
Great Southern Television
New Zealand On Air Best Children’s Programme
First Place
Tikilounge Productions
Soljans Estate Winery Best Entertainment Programme
Taskmaster New Zealand Season 5
Kevin & Co.
Best Director: Documentary/Factual Series
Motuhaketanga
Kathleen Mantel
Best Actress in a Series
Double Parked Season 2
Antonia Prebble
Images and Sound Best Cinematography: Feature Film
The Convert
Gin Loane
Best Costume Design – Series
My Life is Murder
Sarah Voon
Best Costume Design – Feature
The Convert
Liz McGregor