WIFT NZ 2026 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
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
