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.

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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:

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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

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Perpetual Entertainment Entrepreneurship Award

Tracey Cochrane – FAT Lighting
Sharlene George – The Sweetshop
Lisa Taouma – Tiki Lounge and The Coconet TV

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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

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

Sarah Cull
Michelle Turner
Viv Winter

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SAE Award for Outstanding Newcomer

Amanda Jane Robinson
Sarah Ryan
Kura Turuwhenua

Hinterland Woman to Watch Award

Rosie Hole
Annabel Kean
Vea Mafile’o

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Queenstown Camera Company Craft Award

Dayna Grant – Stunt Coordinator
Sophie Lloyd – Gaffer
Maria Ines Manchego NZCS – Director of Photography

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Wētā FX Creative Technology Award

Shweta Bhatnagar – Layout Supervisor
Jo Davison – VFX Supervisor
Stefanie Ng – Dialogue Supervisor and Editor

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Te Māngai Pāho Te Reo Māori Champion Award

Kirstin Te Wao-Edmonds
Tweedie Waititi
Viv Wigby-Ngātai

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SKY Award for Moana Excellence in the Screen Industry

Sandra Kailahi
Anapela Polata’ivao ONZM
Lisa Taouma

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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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