ShowNews

Film Raro - submission deadline
2024-06-30
Developing nations such as the South Pacific’s Cook Islands need to learn more about telling their own digital stories to aid social and economic development.
To be able to see themselves on screen, hear their own language, preserve heritage, culture and identity, to have a voice in today’s audio visual digital world.
Film Raro2 is a world first concept in the way that it will link passionate film makers to indigenous peoples to collaborate in the production of international short films.

We are searching for up to eight great scripts to take into production at Film Raro2.

We are reviewing registered scripts now to establish a list of the best eight.

We will continue to take new scripts until June 30th, 2024.

Nuku’alofa Film Festival - campaign closes
2024-06-30
The Nuku’alofa Film Festival was founded in 2015, by artistic director Sisi’uno Helu and other filmmakers from New Zealand of Tongan descent. It’s aim is to empower Tongan and Tagata Pasifika artists to tell their own stories by amplifying their voices through film.
With 4 past iterations, The Nuku’alofa Film Festival has screened a wide tapestry of award winning films, including Leitis in Waiting, The Head and the Hand, Lady Eva, For My Father’s Kingdom and more. The Film Festival has served as one of few platforms to highlight both local and international screen artistry within the Pacific. With humble beginnings, the NFF rallied support of local partners on a grassroots level. Creating intimate and meaningful relationships with filmmakers and local organisation in Tonga. Since its hiatus, there has been interest for the Festival’s return.
Our goal is to re-establish the presence of the Nuku’alofa Film Festival in Tonga.

ReUnion, campaign closing
2024-07-07
When a young woman has a chance meeting with an old school friend, she must consider what it means to truly connect with someone, no matter the circumstances of their reunion.
ReUnion is a short film that invites us to examine what we believe to be normal about relationships.
Nothing in the world of ReUnion is normal – but is that so different to our world?

Static Noises - campaign closes
2024-07-08
A young Filipina living in New Zealand discovers her father’s dark past after her journalist ex-lover is murdered, and must choose between loyalty to her family or risking it all for justice.
Static Noises delves into the detachment experienced by Filipinos living abroad, challenging the prevailing notion that personal comfort suffices as they are shielded from the chaos of the world. This story is important and timely, urging viewers to confront the realities often chosen to be ignored.
Young Filipina writer/director Jomz Ramirez wrote this 8 minute film about her experience living out of reach from the political turmoil of the Philippines, the connection and disconnection of family, and the true cost of loyalty.
Static Noises emphasises the critical need for empathy in a world desperate for connection, and encourages audiences to reflect on the profound echoes that resonate when empathy breaks the silence of detachment, sparking change one living room at a time.

The Chair, campaign closing
2024-07-10
Brooke Benton (Writer, Director) and Kate Goodwin’s (Producer) The Chair was amongst 12 films shortlisted for Kōpere Hou Fresh Shorts, but unfortunately wasn’t one of the three films selected to be funded. We received feedback that it’s shoot-ready.
The Chair is a 14-minute comedy drama based on a true story about Steph, a self-sabotaging yo-pro who discovers period blood on her office chair, setting off a chain-of-events that impact a major client meeting and deeply ruffle the office power dynamics.
And warning: there will be blood.

What Once Was, campaign closing
2024-07-12
What Once Was is an LGBTQ+ coming of age short film being made by a group of young queer film students here in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Aotearoa.
We want to contribute to the growing pool of queer media by creating a story that is personal, authentic and wholeheartedly kiwi.
After returning to her childhood farmhouse, Abigail must find the courage to come out to her close-minded parents, before the relationship with her girlfriend crumbles and she loses her family forever~
We’re raising funds to provide our awesome crew with food and transport, as well as going toward locations costs, production design, props, costumes, paying our talented actors, and for entering into film festivals further down the track!

Goners, campaign closing
2024-07-18
After a failed suicide attempt, a man finds himself stuck in a hospital room with a terminally ill child, where he is forced to reconsider his perspective on life and must decide whether to live or continue down his suicidal path.
Writer-director Caleb Aiono’s Goners is an action packed drama short film that aims to bring awareness about mental health. This short film provides the viewer with a compelling narrative that not only entertains but gives you a positive outlook on life.

Full Moon, Baby! - campaign closes
2024-07-19
Haunted by disturbing visions that his fiancée, Lily may be a werewolf, Mike struggles to express his fears to their therapist, Dr. Silverman.
Despite the advice from his therapist and Mike’s own efforts to forget about his irrational fears, Lily constantly does things in their everyday life that further affirm them. Eventually leading to a comedic encounter with an exorcist and an unexpected climax. This story is a bizarre and lighthearted tale about trust—no matter how many times Lily tells Mike that she is not a werewolf, it never seems to help.
Dead Slate Studios is a production company made up of film school graduates. Our members specialize in Producing, Directing, Acting, Camera, Lighting, Audio, Post Production, and Art Design. We are a group of collaborators who thrive off each other’s creativity. As aspiring creatives, our team will cherish any contribution from you that helps this film get made. We’re excited to tell this story and would love to have you on board. You’ll also be credited as a special thanks at the end of the film.

Chiaroscuro - campaign closes
2024-07-19
Chiaroscuro is a student-led psychological thriller short film that celebrates storytelling’s power to unite.
Our team consists of a diverse crew of filmmakers from varied cultural backgrounds, and is led by Māori, Bosnian, Samoan, and Nuien, offering unique perspectives on themes such as envy, jealousy, and the female gaze. We strive to acknowledge the insight that the cultural backgrounds of our creative leads give us and relish the opportunity to delve into Māori and Pasifika cultural concepts such as whanaungatanga and rangatiratanga. These concepts promote a sense of togetherness and supports every one of us to express ourselves creatively as young filmmakers. Chiaroscuro showcases the beauty of different traditions through meaningful visuals and authentic narrative.
We are raising funds towards our location and art department, as well as catering for our crew and cast. Our film is being shot in the beautiful Opera House one of Wellington’s iconic venues. Also, as the visuals are very important, the money towards our art department, will go towards creating some of the beautiful costumes, and pieces that the actors will be wearing and performing with.

Funny Business, campaign closing
2024-07-19
Funny Business is a joyful queer short film about friendship, being a young creative trying to make a living, and prioritising the fun in life through the changes and challenges we face.
Through her best friend, her highschool crush, and a business team bonding clown workshop, Aroha must choose between her party clown passions and financial stability.
Our amazing team is a Wellington based 3rd year student group from the Massey University Screen Arts programme, led by co-directors Phoebe Smalley and Sarah Penny

NZ Cine Awards - submissions close
2024-07-21
Entry submission for the 7th NZCS Awards will be open from 10th June to the 21st July. Registration must have been completed, media submission form and media must be received by that date.
All the info.
NZCS Cinematography Awards will be on the 26th October 2024 at the Pullman Hotel, Auckland

Cakeface, campaign closing
2024-07-22
The highest of all holidays in the Satanic religion is the date of one’s own birthday~ and Cakeface wants you to have a good one!
Your support will help fund our special effects, artists and crew bring Cakeface to life for an unforgettable party.
We have an incredible team working to make this film happen, and want to support them as much as we can. Every contribution helps!

Weaker Leg, campaign closing
2024-07-25
Daisy Din & Emma Parkinson’s comedy short Weaker Leg a comedy short film about two struggling ‘Save the Gay Animals’ activists, Cece-Marie and Isla.
When they get invited to dinner by a renowned philanthropist, one of them must avoid being lured into a pyramid scheme.
She uncovers a horrifying discovery which leaves either the gay animals or her friendship at risk. This forces her to make a difficult moral choice whether to prioritise her beliefs or her indoctrinated friend.

NZ Web Fest, late submission deadline
2024-07-31
The tenth edition of NZ Web Fest runs in November.
Submissions for the 2024 edition are open, with deadlines on 31 May, 31 July and 31 August.
The fest accepts submissions of podcasts, short films, and web series, including pilots.

Misty Flicks Festival, final submission deadline
2024-08-01
Misty Flicks is a not-for-profit independent film festival held annually in the Central region of Aotearoa, New Zealand. The festival offers a wide-ranging programme of local and indigenous cinema. It aims to introduce and unite audiences to different voices and cultures through the power of storytelling.
Misty Flicks creates a platform to nurture the careers of tomorrow’s storytellers by providing educational opportunities and workshops. It makes film accessible to its people and creates a sense of community and connectedness through the arts by connecting filmmakers and audiences in discussions and seminars based on the principles of manaakitanga.
Early festival submissions close 1 May. The final submission deadline is 1 August. The festival runs 22-24 November.

Top of the South Film Festival, submission deadline
2024-08-05
The Top of the South Film Festival showcases great local and national short films of under 15 minutes running time. We’ve grown from a film festival that caters to a grassroots community of local filmmakers, to an event that filmmakers from the entire nation will want to attend.
One of our aims is to bring people together by providing an event were filmmakers can forge connections. So we invite filmmakers from throughout Aotearoa New Zealand to enter our Aotearoa Screening, while our Heartland Screenings continue to celebrate locally made film from the North of the South Island: Nelson, Marlborough, Tasman, Buller, Hurunui and Kaikōura.
Submissions open 1 May and close 5 August.

Seed Grants: applications close
2024-08-09 12:00 (Pacific/Auckland)
NZWG and New Zealand Film Commission are excited to announce that Seed & Seed Advanced is now open.
Seed & Seed Advanced are screenwriter-only feature film script development grants.
Seed Grants allow writers to be innovative, brilliant, and to create something they own. The writer is the rights holder, and not working with a producer in early development.
Seed is open to emerging writers who haven’t yet written and had a feature film produced.
The initiative offers 6 x Seed Grants of $10,000 – includes $2,500 for script consultation and 2 x Seed Advanced Grants of $12,500 – includes $2,500 for script development.

Whispers - campaign closes
2024-08-19
Emily, a grieving widow and mother, confronts her Spanish husband’s death, alongside her children and her supportive mother in law, Sara. As Emily struggles with grief, she is haunted by ghostly apparitions, chilling nightmares, and mysterious whispers, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. Her ordeal intensifies upon encountering a stalker in a forest entrance, a moment that begins to unravel as the source of her terror.
This is a thriller short series born from passion, dedication, and the desire to offer a platform for aspiring talents. Welcoming individuals from all backgrounds can explore their potential alongside diverse professionals, also allow us to showcase the beautiful locations of New Zealand.
WATCH THIS VIDEO to see who are the people involved, and why make this project so unique and special.

A Tell-Tale Heart, campaign closing
2024-08-28
Gianni Ranzuglia’s short adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s gripping short story The Tell-Tale Heart.
This dark, intense and suspenseful tale follows the descent of a man into madness, as he becomes obsessed with the vulture-like eye of an old man he cares for. Driven by his paranoia and guilt, he ultimately commits a horrific act, only to find himself increasingly haunted by his own conscience, and the psychological torment that follows.
The Tell-Tale Heart is a gothic tragedy that explores themes of repressed guilt, paranoia, and the human capacity for self-deception. Our goal is to stay true to the original story while bringing a fresh visual interpretation that will resonate with contemporary audiences. The focal point of view being the self-deceiving, darkly twisted and menacing intensity of the young protagonist.

NZ Web Fest, final submission deadline
2024-08-31 08:00 - 17:00

Doc Edge Festival 2026 - Regular Submission Deadline
2025-12-15
NZ filmmakers — submissions for Doc Edge Festival 2026 are now open!
Doc Edge invites Aotearoa’s documentary community to submit films for the 21st edition of the festival. They are looking for powerful New Zealand stories across shorts and features, as well as immersive, from emerging voices to established creatives working in the factual and hybrid space.
Selected films will screen as part of New Zealand’s Oscar®-qualifying documentary festival, and top local awards include major cash prizes and Oscar® consideration for 2027.
🏆 Best NZ Feature: $10,000 cash prize + Oscar® consideration
🏆 Best NZ Short: $2,500 cash prize + Oscar® consideration
Submissions via FilmFreeway.
📅 Regular deadline: 15 December 2025
📅 Late deadline: 31 January 2026
Be part of Aotearoa’s leading documentary platform and showcase your work to local and international audiences.

Doc Edge Pitch 2026 - Early bird Submission Deadline
2026-01-16
Submissions are now open for Doc Edge Pitch 2026 — New Zealand’s premier platform for developing and showcasing new documentary projects.
Doc Edge is seeking compelling factual projects (shorts, features, and series) in development, production or rough-cut stage. Selected teams will pitch to international and local decision makers and receive mentoring, industry access, and networking opportunities during the festival.
Open to both NZ and international filmmakers.
📅 Early Bird deadline: 16 January 2026
📍 Pitching takes place during Doc Edge Festival 2026
🔗 Full details & application: https://docedge.nz/programme/industry/pitch/

Doc Edge Festival 2026 - Late Submission Deadline
2026-01-31
NZ filmmakers — submissions for Doc Edge Festival 2026 are now open!
Doc Edge invites Aotearoa’s documentary community to submit films for the 21st edition of the festival. They are looking for powerful New Zealand stories across shorts and features, as well as immersive, from emerging voices to established creatives working in the factual and hybrid space.
Selected films will screen as part of New Zealand’s Oscar®-qualifying documentary festival, and top local awards include major cash prizes and Oscar® consideration for 2027.
🏆 Best NZ Feature: $10,000 cash prize + Oscar® consideration
🏆 Best NZ Short: $2,500 cash prize + Oscar® consideration
Submissions via FilmFreeway.
📅 Late deadline: 31 January 2026
Be part of Aotearoa’s leading documentary platform and showcase your work to local and international audiences.

Doc Edge Festival 2026 - Extended Submission Deadline
2026-02-15
NZ filmmakers — submissions for Doc Edge Festival 2026 are now open!
Doc Edge invites Aotearoa’s documentary community to submit films for the 21st edition of the festival. They are looking for powerful New Zealand stories across shorts and features, as well as immersive, from emerging voices to established creatives working in the factual and hybrid space.
Selected films will screen as part of New Zealand’s Oscar®-qualifying documentary festival, and top local awards include major cash prizes and Oscar® consideration for 2027.
🏆 Best NZ Feature: $10,000 cash prize + Oscar® consideration
🏆 Best NZ Short: $2,500 cash prize + Oscar® consideration
Submissions via FilmFreeway.
📅 Extended deadline: 15 February 2026
Be part of Aotearoa’s leading documentary platform and showcase your work to local and international audiences.

Doc Edge Pitch 2026 - Regular Submission Deadline
2026-02-20
Submissions are open for Doc Edge Pitch 2026 — New Zealand’s premier platform for developing and showcasing new documentary projects.
Doc Edge is seeking compelling factual projects (shorts, features, and series) in development, production or rough-cut stage. Selected teams will pitch to international and local decision makers and receive mentoring, industry access, and networking opportunities during the festival.
Open to both NZ and international filmmakers.
📅 Regular deadline: 20 February 2026
📍 Pitching takes place during Doc Edge Festival 2026
🔗 Full details & application: https://docedge.nz/programme/industry/pitch/

Doc Edge Pitch 2026 – Late Submission Deadline
2026-03-29
Submissions are open for Doc Edge Pitch 2026 — New Zealand’s premier platform for developing and showcasing new documentary projects.
Doc Edge is seeking compelling factual projects (shorts, features, and series) in development, production or rough-cut stage. Selected teams will pitch to international and local decision makers and receive mentoring, industry access, and networking opportunities during the festival.
Open to both NZ and international filmmakers.
📅 Late deadline: 29 March 2026
📍 Pitching takes place during Doc Edge Festival 2026
🔗 Full details & application: https://docedge.nz/programme/industry/pitch/
