WIFT Awards 2026
Description
WIFT Awards 2026
The most fun awards night on the industry calendar is back, and you're invited!
About the Night
Forget everything you think you know about awards ceremonies. Yes, we're celebrating incredible women across our industry. From emerging talents to legends who've shaped New Zealand screen. But this is no stuffy gala!
You walk into the stunning St Matthew-in-the-City, welcome drink in hand. The room is buzzing. MC Kate Rodger brings the laughs and the heart. Surprises unfold throughout the night (we're not spoiling them, you'll have to be there). And when the formalities wrap? The dance floor opens and we raise the roof.
What's Included
Your ticket gets you:
Entry to an unforgettable night of celebration
Open bar (yes, really! Thanks to the legends at FAT Lighting)
Delicious canapés courtesy of Little Wolf Catering
Surprise appearances
A room full of brilliant, inspiring screen industry people
A chance to dust off that formal outfit
All for a price that won't break the bank
Whether you're flying solo or bringing your crew (all genders welcome), this is THE place to be.
Click here for the full press release and past winners.
Don't sleep, get your tickets now!
Date: Thursday 12th March 2026
Time: 7pm
Venue: St Matthew-in-the-City, Auckland
With thanks to our supporters: NZ On Air, Great Southern Film & Television, Perpetual Entertainment, Hinterland, Images & Sound, Sky, Professional Lighting Services, Queenstown Camera Company, SAE Creative Media Institute, South Pacific Pictures, Te Māngai Pāho, Wētā FX & FAT Lighting.
Awards of the Night
SOUTH PACIFIC PICTURES AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM
This award recognises significant achievement with a short or feature film released in the last two years locally and/or internationally. This award can be won more than once. To be eligible, film(s) associated with the nominee must have been released between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2025 and had some measurable impact. Particular weighting will be given to positive critical reception, box office success and international profile and achievement. Finalists for 2026: Cass Avery for Prime Minister, Anapela Polata’ivao ONZM for Tinā, Vicky Pope for Pike River and Went Up The Hill
HINTERLAND WOMAN TO WATCH AWARD
This award recognises a woman with an emerging body of work who shows the potential to have a significant career in the industry. Finalists for 2026: Rosie Hole, Annabel Kean, Vea Mafile’o
PERPETUAL ENTERTAINMENT ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARD
This Award recognises exceptional business achievement and is given to a woman who has demonstrated business acumen and entrepreneurial vision in establishing a sustainable financial enterprise, contributing to the future health and viability of the New Zealand screen industry. Particular weighting will be given to evidence of a sound business approach, international presence and activity, and significant turnover with leveraged investment in product that delivers sustainability. Finalists for 2026: Tracey Cochrane (FAT Lighting), Sharlene George (The Sweetshop), Lisa Taouma (Tiki Lounge and The Coconet TV)
IMAGES & SOUND AWARD FOR SUCCESS IN TELEVISION & DIGITAL
This award recognises a woman who has had a significant impact or achievement in any aspect of television or digital media between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2025. This award can be won more than once. Finalists for 2026: 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
This award honours long-term contributions behind the scenes which ensure successful projects and provide essential support to colleagues. This award can only be won once. Particular weighting will be given to women who are generally ineligible for other Awards but whose work is critical to achievement, and to women who have demonstrated collegial support for other women in the industry. Finalists for 2026: Sarah Cull, Michelle Turner, Viv Winter
THE QUEENSTOWN CAMERA COMPANY CRAFT AWARD
This award recognises outstanding achievement in craft in film, television or digital media production, especially those working in the more traditionally male-dominated sectors, between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2025, e.g. camera, sound, lighting, grips, stunt work, set design. NB This is not an award for post-production. There is a separate award for post. Finalists for 2026: Dayna Grant (Stunt Coordinator), Sophie Lloyd (Gaffer), Maria Ines Manchego NZCS (Director of Photography)
WĒTĀ FX CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY AWARD
This award recognises outstanding achievement in creativity in post-production in film, television or digital media between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2025. Nominee job titles include editor, colourist, sound editor, ADR recordist, VFX artist, VFX supervisor, VFX editor, animator, compositor. Finalists for 2026: Shweta Bhatnagar (Layout Supervisor), Jo Davison (VFX Supervisor), Stefanie Ng (Dialogue Supervisor and Editor)
TE MĀNGAI PĀHO TE REO MĀORI CHAMPION AWARD
This award honours a production company or individual whose work makes a significant contribution to the increased use and knowledge of Te Reo Māori me ngā tikanga. Particular weighting will be given to creative approaches and/or to innovative programming which has a measurable impact on the profile of Māori on screen. Finalist for 2026: Kirstin Te Wao-Edmonds, Tweedie Waititi, Viv Wigby-Ngātai
SAE AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING NEWCOMER
This award recognises exceptional talent in a woman under 30 working in the New Zealand screen industry. As WIFT is a pan-industry organisation this talent may be in any field, whether behind or in front of the camera. Finalists for 2026: Amanda Jane Robinson, Sarah Ryan, Kura Turuwhenua
SKY AWARD FOR MOANA EXCELLENCE IN THE SCREEN INDUSTRY
This award recognises an outstanding contribution by a Moana Pasifika woman in any field in the Aotearoa/New Zealand screen industry. Finalists for 2026: Sandra Kailahi, Anapela Polata’ivao ONZM, Lisa Taouma
GREAT SOUTHERN FILM & TELEVISION AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE NZ SCREEN INDUSTRY
This award honours long-term outstanding work, generous support for others, and commitment to the growth of the industry both professionally and personally. This award can only be won once. The judges determined that there should be only one finalist and winner to be announced at the Awards ceremony for this category.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
