Get your applications ready for Day One Shorts 2026!

Get your applications ready for Day One Shorts 2026!
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Day One Shorts are seeking diverse emerging directors without prior NZ On Air, Te Māngai Pāho or NZ Film Commission production funding.

Day One Shorts is a series of short films by rangatahi emerging filmmakers from across Aotearoa.

The contracted production teams will need to include:

• Director
• Producer

There may be variations on the above (e.g Writer-Director or Co-Producers) but the team must include a producer who is separate to the director.

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18-29yrs Category

Applications are invited only from teams whose Director:

• Is aged between 18 - 29 when they make their film, between Jan - June 2026.
• Is currently a New Zealand citizen or resident
• Has not previously received production funding from NZ On Air, Te Māngai Pāho or the New Zealand Film Commission
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30+ Sub-Category

Again this year, they have a sub-category for applicants that can illustrate they are still new and emerging directors (with no record of production funding via NZFC, TMP or NZOA) who are older than 30 years. They will commission up to two films by filmmakers who fit this description.

To apply for this category each director/writer or director must provide a brief one paragraph description of their filmmaking journey and how/why they are still a new filmmaker upon applying.

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Te Reo Māori Category

Day One shorts will be selecting and commissioning two films that meet the above criteria and also:

• contain a minimum of 50% Te Reo
• are of Māori subject matter
• have a predominantly Māori team
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Important dates

Call for Applications opens: 5th August 2025.

Deadline for applications: 15th September, 2025, no later than midday.

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Contact

Enquiries: email proposals@dofilm.co.nz

Or go to https://dofilm.co.nz/shorts/