The achievements of women in our screen sector were recognised at last week’s WIFT NZ Awards.
Twenty years after they were first established, excellence in Aotearoa’s screen industries continues to be acknowledged and celebrated at the Women in Film & Television New Zealand Awards – aka the WIFT NZ Awards.
WIFT NZ’s purpose is to ensure women are welcomed, supported and thriving in an equitable screen industry. A not-for-profit organisation, they are dedicated to delivering education, professional development, networking and support services to women and others working in film, television and associated industries.
Held at St Matthew-in-the-City on February 29, the WIFT NZ Awards recognised a broad range of screen production roles, and levels of experience from newcomers to industry legends. This year’s winners join a list of previous award recipients who include Niki Caro, Ngila Dickson, Robyn Malcolm, Rachel Lang, Rhonda Kite, Janine Morrell-Gunn, Chloe Smith, Robin Scholes, Jane Wrightson, Stacey Morrison and Kelly Martin.
The WIFT NZ Awards 2024 were hosted by Kate Rodger, and the winners are:
Photo: Norrie Montgomery
SAE Award for Outstanding Newcomer
Marianne Infante for excellence in performance, and advocating for minority voices to be recognised on stage and screen.
Hinterland Woman to Watch Award
Abba-Rose Vaiaoga-Ioasa for her outstanding contribution producing and stimulating Pasifika stories in the screen industry.
South Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in Film
Desray Armstrong (Te-Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Ngāti Porou) for producing, and releasing three significant feature films within 18 months – Coming Home in the Dark, Millie Lies Low and Juniper.
Photo: Norrie Montgomery
Imagezone Entrepreneurship Award
Chelsea Winstanley (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi te Rangi), an extraordinary businesswoman. Company director of This Too Shall Pass, and Matewa Media, which has released five Disney Films in Te Reo Māori. Chelsea is also company director of Ahi Collective.
Images & Sound Award for Success in Television and Digital
Carly Turner for excellence in editing drama, most recently Uproar.
Professional Lighting Services Award for Unsung Heroine of the NZ Screen Industry
Jane Anderson who as long-time Operations Manager at Images & Sound, provides invaluable support and guidance on a myriad of projects.
Queenstown Camera Company Craft Award
Ashlee Fidow for breaking barriers and excelling as an in-demand stunt performer.
Photo: Norrie Montgomery
Wētā FX Creative Technology Award
Beck Veitch for excellence as a compositing supervisor and dedicated advocacy for women in VFX.
Te Māngai Pāho Te Reo Māori Champion Award
Mihingarangi Forbes (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Paoa), a trailblazer and torchbearer with an unfaltering focus on Māori and justice.
Warner Bros. Discovery Award for Moana Pasifika Excellence in the Screen Industry
Ngaire Fuata, a founding Director and Producer at SunPix, the leader in Pasifika representation on mainstream television.
Great Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the NZ Screen Industry
Barbara Darragh, a pioneer in innovative costume design, a role model and inspiration for costume designers.
