Posted Friday 09 Jan 2026
This award honours long-term contributions behind the scenes which ensure successful projects and provide essential support to colleagues.
The finalists are:
SARAH CULL
Sarah’s essential and often invisible contributions to building the legal & infrastructure which enables the local screen sector to thrive cannot be overstated. For more than two decades she has been the quiet architect behind countless kiwi classics & international co-productions. Her steady, assured presence ensures NZ storytellers can access government incentives, secure international funding and reach audiences, making her a vital and collaborative advocate for the screen industry as a whole.
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, most recently festival hit Went Up The Hill. She delivers creativity under pressure, her technical expertise at the forefront, and is hailed for her fairness, kindness and willingness to go that extra mile during production.
VIV WINTER
Ask any producer - they want Viv Winter on their team! The absolute queen of production accounting, Viv’s meticulous financial management has underpinned some of New Zealand’s most significant film and television releases of the past decade. Her commitment to supporting female-led and diverse storytellers has made her a trusted & essential partner in bringing Māori and women’s stories to the screen.