The Women in Film and Television New Zealand Awards, also known as the WIFT NZ Awards, are a set of awards that celebrate and encourage the achievements of New Zealand women in film, television and digital media. The awards are administered by Women in Film and Television New Zealand, the national chapter of Women in Film and Television International, and have been awarded since 2004.
The awards were initially made in four categories; additional categories have been added and as of 2022 the awards are made in 11 categories. The awards were also initially presented annually and are now presented biennially. No awards were made in 2012.
Nominations are invited from the public. A panel selects finalists in each category, who are invited to an awards ceremony in Auckland where the recipients are announced.
Award ceremonies and recipients
2022
The awards ceremony was held on 8 July at ASB Waterfront Theatre, Auckland. One new category was awarded this year: the Tautai Award for Moana Excellence in the Screen Industry, celebrating the contribution of Moana Pasifika women working in the screen industry in Aotearoa New Zealand. +AwardRecipientNotesSAE Award for Outstanding NewcomerCian Elyse White (Te Arawa, Ngāti Pikiao)South Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in FilmChelsea Winstanley (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi te Rangi), for Jojo RabbitImagezone Entrepreneurship AwardAliesha Staples, co-founder of Click Studios and Staples VRImages & Sound Award for Success in Television and DigitalRose Matafeo, for Starstruck and HorndogProfessional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the New Zealand Screen IndustryDianne Moffatt, script supervisorFulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch AwardShoshana McCallumTe Māngai Pāho Te Reo Māori Champion AwardReikura Kahi (Waikato, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Whānau a Apanui and Cook Island)The Queenstown Camera Company Craft AwardMelissa Ririnui (Tauranga Moana)Wingnut and Wētā Companies Creative Technology AwardAlana Cotton, colouristTautai Award for Moana Excellence in the Screen IndustrySima Urale, director, writer and educator Great Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Screen IndustryShuchi Kothari, filmmaker, educator and mentor
2020 The awards ceremony was held on 4 December 2020 at ASB Waterfront Theatre, Auckland, hosted by Antonia Prebble. One new category was awarded this year: the SAE Award for Outstanding Newcomer.
+AwardRecipientNotesSAE Award for Outstanding NewcomerKayleighsha Wharton, production and location managerSouth Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in FilmPietra BrettkellyImagezone Entrepreneurship AwardSharon Menzies, for her work in film financingImages & Sound Award for Success in Television and DigitalAnnabelle Lee-MatherProfessional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the New Zealand Screen IndustryLouise BakerFulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch AwardHweiling Ow, writer, director, and producerTe Puni Kōkiri Te Reo Māori Champion AwardStacey Morrison, for her work promoting te reo Māori as a broadcaster, performer, teacher, and authorThe Queenstown Camera Company Craft AwardBindy CrayfordWeta Group Creative Technology AwardAmy BarberGreat Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Screen IndustryKelly Martin
2018 The awards ceremony was held on 1 March 2018 at ASB Waterfront Theatre, Auckland, hosted by Theresa Healey. Two new categories were awarded for the first time this year: The Queenstown Camera Company Craft Award and The Weta Group Creative Technology Award. The selection panel for the 2018 awards was Christina Milligan (chair), Robin Laing, Vicki Jackways, Cass Avery, Christina Asher, Jill Macnab and Alyx Duncan.
+AwardRecipientNotesSouth Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in FilmMiranda Harcourt, for her work as acting coach on the film LionImagezone Entrepreneurship AwardLibby Hakaraia, for co-founding the Māoriland Film FestivalImages & Sound Award for Success in Television and DigitalMaxine Fleming, producer of television series Shortland StreetProfessional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the New Zealand Screen IndustryNerida Cath, general manager of South Seas Film and Television SchoolFulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch AwardCasey Zilbert, screenwriterTe Puni Kōkiri Te Reo Māori Champion AwardWena Harawira (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Tuhoe)The Queenstown Camera Company Craft AwardKirsten GreenWeta Group Creative Technology AwardClare Burlinson, colouristGreat Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Screen IndustryCatherine Madigan, producer
2016 The awards ceremony was held on 24 February 2016 at the Heritage Hotel, Auckland, hosted by Kate Rodgers.
+AwardRecipientNotesSouth Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in FilmLeanne Pooley, for Beyond the EdgeQueenstown Camera Company Entrepreneurship AwardBettina Hollings, for founding Imagination TelevisionImages & Sound Award for Success in TelevisionPhilly de LaceyProfessional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the New Zealand Screen IndustryLeonne Kassler, manager, The Film Equipment CompanyFulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch AwardDesray Armstrong, producerTe Puni Kōkiri Te Reo Māori Champion AwardHinewehi MohiGreat Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Screen IndustryJane Wrightson, chief executive of New Zealand on Air
2014 The awards ceremony was held on 26 February 2014 at the Heritage Hotel, Auckland. In addition to the seven award categories, an additional special award was made to Patsy Reddy, chair of the New Zealand Film Commission, for her leadership. The selection panel for the 2014 awards was Christina Milligan (chair), Penelope Borland, Sarah Cull, Debra Kelleher, Robin Laing, Fiona Milburn, Teremoana Rapley, and Sue Thompson.
+AwardRecipientNotesSouth Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in FilmCatherine Fitzgerald, for The OratorQueenstown Camera Company Entrepreneurship AwardFrances Valintine, for the establishment and development of Mind LabImages & Sound Award for Success in TelevisionJane Campion, for Top of the LakeProfessional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the New Zealand Screen IndustryLynne Reed, colour graderFulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch AwardKerry WarkiaTe Puni Kōkiri Te Reo Māori Champion AwardHineani MelbourneGreat Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Screen IndustryAnnie Collins, film editor
2010
In addition to the award categories, a special award was presented to Keri Kaa: Te Whaea Whakaata Taonga. +AwardRecipientNotesSouth Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in FilmAinsley GardinerQueenstown Camera Company Entrepreneurship AwardTania RodgerImages & Sound Award for Success in TelevisionRachel LangProfessional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the New Zealand Screen IndustryAdria BucktonFulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch AwardJulia Parnell, producerTe Puni Kōkiri Te Reo Māori Champion AwardTini MolyneuxGreat Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Screen IndustryGaylene Preston
2009 +AwardRecipientNotesSouth Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in FilmArani CuthbertQueenstown Camera Company Entrepreneurship AwardJanine Morell-Gunn (Ngāti Kahungunu)Images & Sound Award for Success in TelevisionJacquie BrownProfessional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the New Zealand Screen IndustryNatalie Crane and Glenda PatersonFulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch AwardChelsea Winstanley (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi te Rangi)Great Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Screen IndustryCaterina De Nave
2008 The awards ceremony was held on 11 August 2008 at Skycity Auckland. +AwardRecipientNotesSouth Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in FilmAnnie Goldson, documentary filmmakerQueenstown Camera Company Entrepreneurship AwardRhonda KiteImages & Sound Award for Success in TelevisionRachel LangProfessional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the New Zealand Screen IndustryCarmen LeonardFulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch AwardRoseanne LiangGreat Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Screen IndustryRobin Laing
2007 +AwardRecipientNotesSouth Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in FilmAinsley GardinerImages & Sound Award for Success in TelevisionRobyn MalcolmProfessional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the New Zealand Screen IndustrySue MayFulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch AwardRachel GardnerGreat Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Screen IndustryDiana Rowan
2006
+AwardRecipientNotesSouth Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in FilmNgila Dickson, costume designerImages & Sound Award for Success in TelevisionRachel LangProfessional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the New Zealand Screen IndustryMairi GunnFulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch AwardGemma GracewoodGreat Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Screen IndustryChloe Smith
2005
The awards ceremony was held on 10 October 2005. +AwardRecipientNotesSouth Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in FilmZoë Bell, stuntwoman and actressTV3/C4 Award for Success in New Zealand TelevisionNicole HoeyProfessional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the New Zealand Screen IndustryAnnie Frear, gripFulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch AwardJane Andrews and Melanie Rakena, producers at Jam TVGreat Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Screen IndustryRobin Scholes, producer
2004
+AwardRecipientNotesSouth Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in FilmDame Fran Walsh, screenwriter and producerImages & Sound Award for Success in TelevisionDame Julie Christie, producerFulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch AwardNiki Caro, Ainsley Gardiner and Leanne SaundersGreat Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Screen IndustryNgila Dickson, costume designer
See also
List of awards honoring women
References