WIFT NZ 2026 Awards Finalists Announced

WIFT NZ is delighted to announce the finalists for ten award categories, as selected by the judging panel of Jill Macnab (Chair), Kathleen Anderson, Jasmin McSweeney, Kath Graham, Beck Veitch, Morgan Leigh Stewart, Ngaire Fuata, Leanne Pooley, and Anna Canton, with input from the various category sponsors.

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 12 March at St Matthew-in-the-City, Auckland. Finalists are announced for the following ten categories:

South Pacific Pictures Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film

Cass Avery for Prime Minister

Anapela Polata’ivao ONZM for Tinā

Vicky Pope for Pike River and Went Up The Hill

Perpetual Entertainment Entrepreneurship Award

Tracey Cochrane – FAT Lighting

Sharlene George – The Sweetshop

Lisa Taouma – Tiki Lounge and The Coconet TV

Images & Sound Award for Outstanding Achievement in Television and Digital

Rachel Fawcett for n00b

Robyn Grace for Happiness, Sweet Tooth, Spartacus: House of Ashur

Robyn Malcolm and Dianne Taylor for After the Party

Professional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the NZ Screen Industry

Sarah Cull

Michelle Turner

Viv Winter

SAE Award for Outstanding Newcomer

Amanda Jane Robinson

Sarah Ryan

Kura Turuwhenua

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Hinterland Woman to Watch Award

Rosie Hole

Annabel Kean

Vea Mafile’o

Queenstown Camera Company Craft Award

Dayna Grant – Stunt Coordinator

Sophie Lloyd – Gaffer

Maria Ines Manchego NZCS – Director of Photography

Wētā FX Creative Technology Award

Shweta Bhatnagar – Layout Supervisor

Jo Davison – VFX Supervisor

Stefanie Ng – Dialogue Supervisor and Editor

Te Māngai Pāho Te Reo Māori Champion Award

Kirstin Te Wao-Edmonds

Tweedie Waititi

Viv Wigby-Ngātai

SKY Award for Moana Excellence in the Screen Industry

Sandra Kailahi

Anapela Polata’ivao ONZM

Lisa Taouma

The judges determined that there should be only one finalist and winner to be announced at the Awards ceremony for the following category:

Great Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the NZ Screen Industry

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