# Women in Film and Television New Zealand Awards

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.
| Award | Recipient |
| SAE Award for Outstanding Newcomer | Cian Elyse White (Te Arawa, Ngāti Pikiao) |
| South Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in Film | Chelsea Winstanley (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi te Rangi), for Jojo Rabbit |
| Imagezone Entrepreneurship Award | Aliesha Staples, co-founder of Click Studios and Staples VR |
| Images & Sound Award for Success in Television and Digital | Rose Matafeo, for Starstruck and Horndog |
| Professional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the New Zealand Screen Industry | Dianne Moffatt, script supervisor |
| Fulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch Award | Shoshana McCallum |
| Te Māngai Pāho Te Reo Māori Champion Award | Reikura Kahi (Waikato, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Whānau a Apanui and Cook Island) |
| The Queenstown Camera Company Craft Award | Melissa Ririnui (Tauranga Moana) |
| Wingnut and Wētā Companies Creative Technology Award | Alana Cotton, colourist |
| Tautai Award for Moana Excellence in the Screen Industry | Sima Urale, director, writer and educator |
| Great Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Screen Industry | Shuchi 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.
| Award | Recipient |
| SAE Award for Outstanding Newcomer | Kayleighsha Wharton, production and location manager |
| South Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in Film | Pietra Brettkelly |
| Imagezone Entrepreneurship Award | Sharon Menzies, for her work in film financing |
| Images & Sound Award for Success in Television and Digital | Annabelle Lee-Mather |
| Professional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the New Zealand Screen Industry | Louise Baker |
| Fulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch Award | Hweiling Ow, writer, director, and producer |
| Te Puni Kōkiri Te Reo Māori Champion Award | Stacey Morrison, for her work promoting te reo Māori as a broadcaster, performer, teacher, and author |
| The Queenstown Camera Company Craft Award | Bindy Crayford |
| Weta Group Creative Technology Award | Amy Barber |
| Great Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Screen Industry | Kelly 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.
| Award | Recipient |
| South Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in Film | Miranda Harcourt, for her work as acting coach on the film Lion |
| Imagezone Entrepreneurship Award | Libby Hakaraia, for co-founding the Māoriland Film Festival |
| Images & Sound Award for Success in Television and Digital | Maxine Fleming, producer of television series Shortland Street |
| Professional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the New Zealand Screen Industry | Nerida Cath, general manager of South Seas Film and Television School |
| Fulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch Award | Casey Zilbert, screenwriter |
| Te Puni Kōkiri Te Reo Māori Champion Award | Wena Harawira (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Tuhoe) |
| The Queenstown Camera Company Craft Award | Kirsten Green |
| Weta Group Creative Technology Award | Clare Burlinson, colourist |
| Great Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Screen Industry | Catherine Madigan, producer |

### 2016

The awards ceremony was held on 24 February 2016 at the Heritage Hotel, Auckland, hosted by Kate Rodgers.
| Award | Recipient |
| South Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in Film | Leanne Pooley, for Beyond the Edge |
| Queenstown Camera Company Entrepreneurship Award | Bettina Hollings, for founding Imagination Television |
| Images & Sound Award for Success in Television | Philly de Lacey |
| Professional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the New Zealand Screen Industry | Leonne Kassler, manager, The Film Equipment Company |
| Fulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch Award | Desray Armstrong, producer |
| Te Puni Kōkiri Te Reo Māori Champion Award | Hinewehi Mohi |
| Great Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Screen Industry | Jane 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.
| Award | Recipient |
| South Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in Film | Catherine Fitzgerald, for The Orator |
| Queenstown Camera Company Entrepreneurship Award | Frances Valintine, for the establishment and development of Mind Lab |
| Images & Sound Award for Success in Television | Jane Campion, for Top of the Lake |
| Professional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the New Zealand Screen Industry | Lynne Reed, colour grader |
| Fulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch Award | Kerry Warkia |
| Te Puni Kōkiri Te Reo Māori Champion Award | Hineani Melbourne |
| Great Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Screen Industry | Annie Collins, film editor |

### 2010

In addition to the award categories, a special award was presented to Keri Kaa: Te Whaea Whakaata Taonga.
| Award | Recipient |
| South Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in Film | Ainsley Gardiner |
| Queenstown Camera Company Entrepreneurship Award | Tania Rodger |
| Images & Sound Award for Success in Television | Rachel Lang |
| Professional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the New Zealand Screen Industry | Adria Buckton |
| Fulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch Award | Julia Parnell, producer |
| Te Puni Kōkiri Te Reo Māori Champion Award | Tini Molyneux |
| Great Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Screen Industry | Gaylene Preston |

### 2009

| Award | Recipient |
| South Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in Film | Arani Cuthbert |
| Queenstown Camera Company Entrepreneurship Award | Janine Morell-Gunn (Ngāti Kahungunu) |
| Images & Sound Award for Success in Television | Jacquie Brown |
| Professional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the New Zealand Screen Industry | Natalie Crane and Glenda Paterson |
| Fulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch Award | Chelsea Winstanley (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi te Rangi) |
| Great Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Screen Industry | Caterina De Nave |

### 2008

The awards ceremony was held on 11 August 2008 at Skycity Auckland.
| Award | Recipient |
| South Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in Film | Annie Goldson, documentary filmmaker |
| Queenstown Camera Company Entrepreneurship Award | Rhonda Kite |
| Images & Sound Award for Success in Television | Rachel Lang |
| Professional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the New Zealand Screen Industry | Carmen Leonard |
| Fulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch Award | Roseanne Liang |
| Great Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Screen Industry | Robin Laing |

### 2007

| Award | Recipient |
| South Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in Film | Ainsley Gardiner |
| Images & Sound Award for Success in Television | Robyn Malcolm |
| Professional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the New Zealand Screen Industry | Sue May |
| Fulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch Award | Rachel Gardner |
| Great Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Screen Industry | Diana Rowan |

### 2006

| Award | Recipient |
| South Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in Film | Ngila Dickson, costume designer |
| Images & Sound Award for Success in Television | Rachel Lang |
| Professional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the New Zealand Screen Industry | Mairi Gunn |
| Fulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch Award | Gemma Gracewood |
| Great Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Screen Industry | Chloe Smith |

### 2005

The awards ceremony was held on 10 October 2005.
| Award | Recipient |
| South Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in Film | Zoë Bell, stuntwoman and actress |
| TV3/C4 Award for Success in New Zealand Television | Nicole Hoey |
| Professional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the New Zealand Screen Industry | Annie Frear, grip |
| Fulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch Award | Jane Andrews and Melanie Rakena, producers at Jam TV |
| Great Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Screen Industry | Robin Scholes, producer |

### 2004

| Award | Recipient |
| South Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in Film | Dame Fran Walsh, screenwriter and producer |
| Images & Sound Award for Success in Television | Dame Julie Christie, producer |
| Fulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch Award | Niki Caro, Ainsley Gardiner and Leanne Saunders |
| Great Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Screen Industry | Ngila Dickson, costume designer |