Women In Film & Television (WIFT NZ) is delighted to announce the recipients for the 11 award categories of the WIFT NZ Awards 2026, which were held at St Matthew-in-the-City, Auckland on March 12.
SAE Award for Outstanding Newcomer
Presented by Dr Suzette Major, Director, SAE Institute to Kura Turuwhenua who produces and directs her own comedic short films. Her hilarious take on the world has lead to her going viral multiple times on both TikTok and Instagram.
Hinterland Woman to Watch Award
Presented by Sharon Menzies, Managing Director, Hinterland to Vea Mafile’o – an award-winning Tongan filmmaker whose work bridges art, drama, documentary and social impact. Her dramatic short film “Lea Tupu’anga / Mother Tongue” was selected from 17,000 submissions for the Sundance Film Festival and her feature-length documentary “For My Father’s Kingdom” debuted at Berlin.
South Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in Film
Presented by Sally Campbell, Head of Production, South Pacific Pictures to Cass Avery whose documentary “Prime Minister” wasn’t just selected for Sundance, it went on to win the coveted Audience Award for World Cinema Documentary and grossed over a million dollars at the NZ box office.
Perpetual Entertainment Entrepreneurship Award
Presented by Vicky Keogh, Managing Director and Executive Producer, Perpetual Entertainment New Zealand to Sharlene George – As a global CEO and founding partner of Sweetshop Films – which now has six global offices – her impact on the screen industry is profound, both in terms of the stories she champions and brings to the screen, and in the pipeline of careers she nurtures.
Images & Sound Award for Success in Television and Digital
Presented by Narelle Ahrens, Foley Artist at Images and Sound to Robyn Malcolm and Dianne Taylor for internationally acclaimed television series “After the Party” which was a sensation and a triumph for these two prodigiously talented women who personify the power of female storytelling.
Professional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the New Zealand Screen Industry
Presented by Ruthe Kenderdine, Managing Director, Professional Lighting Services to Michelle Turner, a line producer extraordinaire and an absolute industry stalwart, Michelle’s expertise has been crucial to the success of an enormous swathe of projects.
Queenstown Camera Company Craft Award
Presented by Brett Mills, Managing Director, Queenstown Camera Company to Sophie Lloyd, a highly skilled gaffer who not only brings world-class technical precision but her own distinctive creative voice to every project. Her credits include “After the Party” and “The Rule of Jenny Pen”, and for her recent trailblazing work on “Went Up The Hill” she assembled a full lighting crew comprised entirely of women.
Wētā FX Creative Technology Award
Presented by Dame Gaylene Preston to Jo Davison – a trailblazing creative VFX Supervisor, Jo’s cinematic C.V. is a phenomenon in itself with credits on some of the biggest global hits of the last two decades: “Superman”, “Avatar”, “Iron Man 3”, “The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”, “The Hobbit” trilogy and “Thor: Love and Thunder”
Te Māngai Pāho Te Reo Māori Champion Award
Presented by Nadia Marsh, Hautū Te Hua Waihanga, Te Māngai Pāho to Viv Wigby-Ngātai who, devoted to the power of Māori stories and storytellers, very deliberately chooses to support Māori productions. Her impressive career began with award-winning reo Māori shows “Tūmeke” and “Pūkana”, moving through the decades bringing to life programmes “Head High”, “Ahikāroa” and many more.
Sky Award for Moana Excellence in the Screen industry
Presented by Juliet Peterson, Chief Business Officer, Sky to Lisa Taouma – leading the way with her pioneering Pasifika show “Fresh”, Lisa continues to build a distinct and impressive catalogue of digital content amassed on “The Coconet TV”. Lisa lives and breathes her commitment to showcasing the voices of Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa.
And finally the surprise award winner of the evening!
Great Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Screen Industry
Presented by Phil Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Great Southern Film & Television to Fiona Copland. Prolific producer Fiona Copland’s body of work spans arts documentaries, TV series and feature films. Her most recent project, the acclaimed stop-motion children’s programme “Kiri & Lou”, has earned extraordinary international recognition, including a BAFTA nomination and a Rockie Award from the Banff World Media Festival. With the television series continuing to delight audiences worldwide and a “Kiri & Lou” movie out soon, Copland’s work affirms her standing as one of New Zealand’s leading producers.