The fabulous annual WIFT NZ AWARDS swing into action for 2026 so make haste Wifties and start celebrating the incredible work of our fellow WIFT members - there are so many worthy members deserving of recognition this past year and here is your opportunity to make that happen!
It's actually quite incredible when we look back through the years of our awards to see the careers and creative storytelling legacies so many of our finalists and winners have gifted Aotearoa. Can you believe our very first recepients of the WIFT "Women to Watch" were Niki Caro, Ainsley Gardiner and Leanne Saunders?! The judges had a blinder!
The awards evening is always such a brilliant celebration so make sure you diary March 12th 2026 and see you all there with bells on.
Head here to submit your nominations and below is a detailed reminder of the categories this year - so now is your cue to get amongst..
CATEGORIES:
SOUTH PACIFIC PICTURES AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM
This award recognises significant achievement with a short or feature film released in the last two years locally and/or internationally.
This award can be won more than once.
To be eligible, film(s) associated with the nominee must have been released between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2025 and had some measurable impact. Particular weighting will be given to positive critical reception, box office success and international profile and achievement.
Previous winners: Fran Walsh (2004), Zoe Bell (2005), Ngila Dickson (2006), Ainsley Gardiner (2007), Annie Goldson (2008), Arani Cuthbert (2009), Ainsley Gardiner (2010), Catherine Fitzgerald (2014), Leanne Pooley (2016), Miranda Harcourt (2018), Pietra Brettkelly (2020), Chelsea Winstanley (2022), Desray Armstrong (2024)
HINTERLAND WOMAN TO WATCH AWARD
This award recognises a woman with an emerging body of work who shows the potential to have a significant career in the industry.
Previous winners: Niki Caro, Ainsley Gardner & Leanne Saunders (individually in 2004), Jane Andrews & Melanie Rakena (jointly in 2005), Gemma Gracewood (2006), Rachel Gardner (2007), Roseanne Liang (2008), Chelsea Winstanley (2009), Julia Parnell (2010), Kerry Warkia (2014), Desray Armstrong (2016),
Casey Zilbert (2018), Hweiling Ow (2020), Shoshana McCallum (2022), Abba-Rose Vaiaoga-Ioasa (2024)
PERPETUAL ENTERTAINMENT ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARD
This Award recognises exceptional business achievement and is given to a woman who has demonstrated business acumen and entrepreneurial vision in establishing a sustainable financial enterprise, contributing to the future health and viability of the New Zealand screen industry.
Particular weighting will be given to evidence of a sound business approach, international presence and activity, and significant turnover with leveraged investment in product that delivers sustainability.
Previous winners: Rhonda Kite (2008), Janine Morrell-Gunn (2009), Tania Rodger (2010), Frances Valintine (2014), Bettina Hollings (2016), Libby Hakaraia (2018), Sharon Menzies (2020), Aliesha Staples (2022), Chelsea Winstanley (2024)
IMAGES & SOUND AWARD FOR SUCCESS IN TELEVISION & DIGITAL
This award recognises a woman who has had a significant impact or achievement in any aspect of television or digital media between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2025.
This award can be won more than once.
Previous winners: Julie Christie (2004), Nicole Hoey (2005), Rachel Lang (2006), Robyn Malcom (2007), Rachel Lang (2008), Jaquie Brown (2009), Rachel Lang (2010), Jane Campion (2014), Philly de Lacey (2016), Maxine Fleming (2018), Annabelle Lee-Mather (2020), Rose Matafeo (2022), Carly Turner (2024)
PROFESSIONAL LIGHTING SERVICES AWARD FOR UNSUNG HEROINE OF THE NZ SCREEN INDUSTRY
This award honours long-term contributions behind the scenes which ensure successful projects and provide essential support to colleagues.
This award can only be won once.
Particular weighting will be given to women who are generally ineligible for other Awards but whose work is critical to achievement, and to women who have demonstrated collegial support for other women in the industry.
Previous winners: Annie Frear (2005), Mairi Gunn (2006), Sue May (2007), Carmen Leonard (2008), Natalie Crane & Glenda Paterson (jointly in 2009), Adria Buckton (2010), Lynne Reed (2014), Leonne Kassler (2016), Nerida Cath (2018), Louise Baker (2020), Dianne Moffatt (2022), Jane Anderson (2024)
THE QUEENSTOWN CAMERA COMPANY CRAFT AWARD
This award recognises outstanding achievement in craft in film, television or digital media production, especially those working in the more traditionally male-dominated sectors, between 1
July 2023 and 30 June 2025, e.g. camera, sound, lighting, grips, stunt work, set design.
NB This is not an award for post-production. There is a separate award for post.
Previous winners: Kirsten Green (2018), Bindy Crayford (2020), Melissa Ririnui (2022), Ashley Fidow (2024)
WĒTĀ FX CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY AWARD
This award recognises outstanding achievement in creativity in post-production in film, television or digital media between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2025. Nominee job titles include editor, colourist, sound editor, ADR recordist, VFX artist, VFX supervisor, VFX editor, animator, compositor.
Previous winners: Clare Burlinson (2018), Amy Barber (2020), Alana Cotton (2022), Beck Veitch(2024)
TE MĀNGAI PĀHO TE REO MĀORI CHAMPION AWARD
This award honours a production company or individual whose work makes a significant contribution to the increased use and knowledge of Te Reo Māori me ngā tikanga.
Particular weighting will be given to creative approaches and/or to innovative programming which has a measurable impact on the profile of Māori on screen.
Previous winners: Tini Molyneux (2010), Hineani Melbourne (2014), Hinewehi Mohi (2016), Wena Harawira (2018), Stacey Morrison (2020), Reikura Kahi (2022), Mihingarangi Forbes (2024)
SAE AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING NEWCOMER
This award recognises exceptional talent in a woman under 30 working in the New Zealand screen industry. As WIFT is a pan-industry organisation this talent may be in any field, whether behind or in front of the camera.
Previous winners: Kayleighsha Wharton (2020), Cian Elyse White (2022), Marianne Infante (2024)
SKY AWARD FOR MOANA EXCELLENCE IN THE SCREEN INDUSTRY
This award recognises an outstanding contribution by a Moana Pasifika woman in any field in the Aotearoa/New Zealand screen industry.
Previous winners: Sima Urale (2022), Ngaire Fuata (2024)
GREAT SOUTHERN FILM & TELEVISION AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE NZ SCREEN INDUSTRY
This award honours long-term outstanding work, generous support for others, and commitment to the growth of the industry both professionally and personally. This award can only be won once.
Previous winners: Ngila Dickson (2004), Robin Scholes (2005), Chloe Smith (2006), Diana Rowan (2007), Robin Laing (2008), Caterina De Nave (2009), Gaylene Preston (2010), Annie Collins (2014), Jane Wrightson (2016), Catherine Madigan (2018), Kelly Martin (2020), Dr Shuchi Kothari (2022), Barbara Darragh (2024)