Aotearoa Filmmaking Recognised on the Global Stage for Sustainability

Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant has been shortlisted for the Sustainable Production Award (Film) at the 2026 Global Production Awards, which will be announced at a ceremony on 18 May in Cannes, France.

The independent sci-fi body-horror comedy, directed by THUNDERLIPS and produced by Hot Candle Wave, was shot in Aotearoa, New Zealand in 2024. The film had its world premiere in the Midnight section of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, has been selected for both the Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) and the Sydney Film Festival (SFF) 2026, and is coming to cinemas in Aotearoa and Australia later this year.

A sustainability manager was brought onto the project during development - an early commitment that shaped how the production approached carbon reduction, waste diversion, and crew education throughout filming.

Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant is one of six productions shortlisted for the Sustainable Production Award (Film), alongside major international titles including Jurassic World Rebirth (NBCUniversal), Frankenstein (Netflix), Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (NBCUniversal), Hamnet (Focus Features), and Kevlar Soul (Zentropa Sweden).

The New Zealand Film Commission has also been recognised with two nominations: Sustainability Initiative for their Sustainability Action Plan, and Film Commission of the Year in the State, Province & National category. NZFC Chief Executive Annie Murray has described the nominations as a reflection of the collaborative, whole-of-sector approach being taken across the New Zealand screen industry.

Together, these three nominations reflect the growing momentum behind sustainable production practices in Aotearoa’s screen sector.

“Being shortlisted alongside productions like Jurassic World and Frankenstein shows that sustainability isn’t just for big-budget films with massive resources. Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant proves that a small, independent production in Aotearoa can lead the way - and that starting early, during development, makes all the difference,”

said Rose Archer, sustainability manager on Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant and executive director of Greenlit Aotearoa.

“We’re sharing this report openly because that’s what matters most - not just doing the work, but making it easier for the next production to do the same. That’s what Green Spotlight is about. We want every production in Aotearoa to be able to learn from what worked and what didn’t.”As an independent production in Aotearoa, we don’t have the budgets that the big studios have, but that’s exactly the point. Sustainability doesn’t have to be expensive - it just has to be intentional. We hope this nomination encourages other local productions to give it a go,”

said Ilai Amar, producer of Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant.

“What surprised us most was how much the crew embraced it. Having a sustainability manager on set didn’t slow us down - it gave people the support to make better choices, and that became part of the culture of this production.

A full sustainability report for Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant has been published by Greenlit Aotearoa as the first instalment of Green Spotlight - a new series highlighting productions that are leading the way in sustainable filmmaking. The report details the production’s carbon footprint, waste reduction strategies, and key learnings for other productions.

Read the report:
https://greenlit.org.nz/case-studies/green-spotlight-mum-im-alien-pregnant/
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About Greenlit Aotearoa

Greenlit is an industry-wide collaboration for environmental sustainability within the Aotearoa, New Zealand screen sector. Greenlit provides tools, resources, and support to help productions reduce their environmental impact. Learn more at greenlit.org.nz
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Media Contacts Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant

Producer: Ilai Amar - ilai@alienpregnant.com – 0064 21 0227 9712

Greenlit Aotearoa Chair: Irene Gardner - iegardiner@xtra.co.nz – 0064 21 636 538
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Notes to Editors

The Global Production Awards are presented by Media Business Insight, publishers of Screen International.

Full shortlist: globalproductionawards.com/shortlist-2026

Green Spotlight is a new Greenlit initiative that shares sustainability reports and insights from productions in Aotearoa.
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Mum, I'm Alien Pregnant premiered in the Midnight section of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on 23 January 2026. It is directed by THUNDERLIPS (Sean Wallace and Jordan Mark Windsor) and produced by Morgan Leigh Stewart, Alix Whittaker, and Ilai Amar, with executive producer Timothy White.