ShowNews

Doc Edge Industry 2025
2025-06-30 - 2025-07-03 | Grand Millennium Auckland, 71 Mayoral Drive, Cnr Vincent Street, ,Auckland, 1010
Doc Edge Industry 2025
We are back in Auckland for the 19th edition of Doc Edge Industry, including Pitch, Forum, Market & Awards from 30 June – 3 July at the Grand Millennium Auckland.
The Grand Millennium Auckland is the official hub for the Doc Edge Festival 2025, hosting our industry events and awards, and serving as the accommodation partner for our festival guests.
Doc Edge Pitch: 30 June – 1 July
Doc Edge Forum: 2-3 July
Doc Edge Market: 30 June – 3 July
Doc Edge Awards: 3 July
Secure your spot now — early bird passes are 50% off until 9 May. Seating is limited, so don’t miss out.
As the Oscar®-qualifying festival’s hub for the Asia-Pacific doc community, Doc Edge Industry is where bold ideas meet global opportunities.
The full programme will be announced in due course.
Doc Edge – Life Unscripted
Celebrating 20 Years in 2025.
Doc Edge is a not-for-profit charitable trust serving as New Zealand’s national organisation for documentaries since 2005.
Our kaupapa (purpose)
To celebrate, support, and showcase documentary.
Doc Edge Industry provides learning and connecting opportunities for media professionals and comprises three main elements: Forum, Pitch, and Market.
Forum: fosters networking and career development for storytellers.
Pitch: allows filmmakers to present their projects to industry experts, and
Market: facilitates connections between New Zealand films and potential buyers.
Awards: celebrate excellence and achievement in documentary filmmaking, with winners of the best New Zealand and international short and feature films receiving an Oscar® consideration.

WLG Canadian Short Film Night - Show Me Shorts
2025-06-25 19:00 - 20:30 (Pacific/Auckland) | Southern Cross Garden Bar, 39 Abel Smith Street, Wellington, 6011
The Canadian short films in this collection are full of youthful vigour and energy. The selection offers thoughtful observations about our world and our connections to each other. Rich cinematic symbolism is employed to great effect, demonstrating the power of the current generation of filmmakers and particularly documentary makers in Canada today. Join us for an inspiring journey as we meet Canadians and discover the magic in their lives.
This collection of short films was curated in collaboration with Jason Todd of Tënk Canada, and is presented in partnership with the High Commission of Canada.
The six Canadian short films are:
– ‘Summer Night’, a skater documentary directed by Virgile Ratelle
– ‘Oasis’, a documentary directed by Justine Martin
– ‘The Pioneers’, an animation directed by Simon Cottee
– ‘The Punk of Natashquan’, a documentary directed by Nicolas Lachapelle
– ‘Hello Stranger’, a documentary directed by Amélie Hardy
– ‘Pidikwe (Rumble)’, an indigenous dance film directed by Caroline Monnet
Language: English and Canadian French with English subtitles
Total run time: 86 minutes
Rating: M – Drug use and offensive language.

Auckland Doc Edge Festival 2025
2025-06-25 - 2025-07-13 | The Capitol Cinema, 610 Dominion Road, Auckland
Doc Edge Festival 2025 – Life Unscripted
Celebrating 20 Years of Documentary Excellence
Doc Edge, New Zealand’s national documentary organisation, marks its 20th anniversary with an exciting festival from 25 June – 24 August 2025.
As an Oscar®-qualifying festival, Doc Edge is a global platform for bold, diverse, and impactful storytelling — featuring films, immersive experiences, industry events, and more.
📍 Festival Dates & Locations:
Auckland: 25 June – 13 July
SkyCity Theatre (Opening Night – 26 June)
Capitol Cinema (Screenings)
Bridgeway Cinema (Screenings)
Silo 6 (Immersive Exhibition)
Wellington & Christchurch: 16 – 27 July
Virtual Cinema (Nationwide): 28 July – 24 August
✨ Festival Highlights:
– A curated selection of local & international documentaries
– Doc Edge Awards honouring excellence in storytelling
– Schools Programme for Year 5 to tertiary students
– Immersive Exhibition showcasing cutting-edge digital work
– Industry Events: Forum, Pitch – Wayfinding, and Market
This milestone year also celebrates the filmmakers, audiences, and partners who have shaped Doc Edge into a cultural cornerstone for Aotearoa and the Asia Pacific region.
Join us in person or online for a powerful journey through documentary — connecting, reflecting, and celebrating the stories that matter.
#docedge #lifeunscripted

ShowNews Academy - GRACE OF MY HEART
2025-06-24 20:00 - 22:30 | Academy Cinema, 44 Lorne St, Auckland, New Zealand
Each month ShowNews presents a film at Academy Cinemas picked by a special film industry guest. For June, the chosen film is musical dramedy GRACE OF MY HEART chosen by Karyn Rachtman, who was executive music producer on the film.
Happy Hour drinks from 7:00pm.
Screening 8:15pm.
Directed by Allison Anders
Starring Peter Fonda, Bruce Davison, Illeana Douglas, Bridget Fonda, John Turturro, Eric Stoltz, Matt Dillon
Rated M Offensive language
116 minutes
‘Philadelphia teenager Edna Buxton (Illeana Douglas) wins a talent contest during the early rock ‘n’ roll era, changes her name to Denise Waverly and moves to New York City to make it big. Though she flops as a recording artist, fast-talking record producer Joel Millner (John Turturro) recognizes her songwriting talent and teams her with struggling songsmith Howard Caszatt (Eric Stoltz). The ups and downs of Denise’s career parallel the tumult of the 1960s pop scene.’

AKL Canadian Short Film Night - Show Me Shorts
2025-06-24 19:00 - 20:30 | The Capitol Cinema, 610 Dominion Road, Auckland

What DJ and Bevan did in the Shadows
2025-06-03 17:00 - 20:30 | Dept. Of Post, Newton Rd, Auckland
NZCS Presents: What DJ & Bevan did in the Shadows
Prepping for fast-paced, multi-cam mayhem on What We Do in the Shadows
Join us for a laid-back evening with cinematographers DJ Stipsen NZCS and Bevan Crothers as they share their experiences working on the Emmy-winning comedy series What We Do in the Shadows — a show where mockumentary meets mayhem, and prepping for chaos is just part of the process.
DJ was the series DP from the beginning, before stepping into the director’s chair for episodes across Seasons 4 and 6. He brought Bevan on board to take over as DP, and together they navigated the show’s unique creative and technical challenges — from long takes and fast turnarounds to improvisational actors, evolving LED lighting tech, and high-VFX sequences.
In this relaxed, show-and-tell style session, DJ and Bevan will:
Talk through the show’s premise and signature mockumentary style, including working with creators like Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement
Unpack how the show’s lighting evolved across six seasons — and how LED tech advanced alongside it
Break down key episodes from Season 6, including:
– Episode 6: a VFX-heavy, technically complex shoot that took a well-known studio set on location
– Episode 9: Directed by DJ and shot by Bevan — they’ll share how they co-designed and created key scenes from this fan-favourite episode
Expect plenty of visual material, honest insights, a few laughs, and practical takeaways for anyone interested in fast-paced, collaborative shoots.
WHEN: Tuesday, 3 June 2025, 6 PM
WHERE: Department of Post, Auckland
Free for NZCS members | $35 for non-members
Seats are limited. Members get first dibs. RSVP essential.
Doors open at 6 PM for drinks and nibbles. Presentation starts at 7 PM sharp.

ShowNews Academy - Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
2025-05-20 20:00 - 22:00 | Academy Cinema, 44 Lorne St, Auckland, New Zealand
Each month ShowNews presents a film at Academy Cinemas picked by a special film industry guest. For May, Neil Stitchbury has chosen the film noir spoof comedy DEAD MEN DON’T WEAR PLAID starring Steve Martin! This was the last film for both famed costume designer Edith Head and composer Miklós Rózsa.
Tickets only $10!
Happy Hour drinks from 7:00pm.
Screening 8:15pm.
‘When a famous cheese maker dies in a freak car crash, his daughter (Rachel Ward) is convinced that it was no accident. She thinks he was murdered for his top-secret cheese recipes. To prove her theory, she hires detective Roy Reardon (Steve Martin). His quest to find out what happened to the missing man brings him face-to-face with movie legends, actors such as Humphrey Bogart, Alan Ladd and Burt Lancaster, via footage from classic film noir and crime films.’

Te Puna Creative Hub - Open Studio
2025-05-14 16:00 - 18:30 | Te Puna Creative Hub, 8/14 Henderson Valley Road, Te Kōpua Henderson,, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Te Puna Creative Hub is having an open studio, where you can learn more about what’s on offer and meet the people already making Te Puna Creative Hub home.
With Te Puna Creative Hub opening this month they would love industry input to shape its future direction.
“At the heart of Te Puna Creative Innovation Quarter, the hub is based at what used to be Whoa! Studios in Henderson. The goal is to create a world-class creative industries hub in west Auckland, centred around the existing infrastructure already in place out there: Auckland Film Studios, Corban Estate Arts Centre and the many screen industry businesses currently based in and around Keeling Road.
Te Puna Creative Hub currently offers a small studio, a multi-functional 159 seat digital theatre, an operational restaurant, a meeting room, as well as short or long-term office spaces for hire. Current tenants include Crescendo Trust and Click Studios.
The long-term plan is to extend the hub beyond this building, attracting other creative industry businesses to set up shop in the area in private and/or public partnerships. There are also opportunities for tertiary institutions and trainee programmes.
So far, the project has been financed through Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, with additional financing from the Auckland Council Māori Outcomes Fund. Click here for more information.
Funding has been secured for the next five years. Any additional budget allocations will be decided on a year-by-year basis by Council.”
What we think, and what we ask for, will help shape the future of both our industry and Te Puna.

Creative Industry Insights from Lisa Hopp
2025-05-06 19:30 - 21:00 | Zoom
Script to Screen is pleased to share this exciting opportunity from across the ditch. Our partners at Compton are offering our community access to their ongoing series of free personal and professional development workshops.
Join them next week for their Q&A Masterclass series, where Compton’s Abi Tabone will lead a discussion with Australian film and television writer and producer Lisa Hoppe.
Q&A Masterclass is a chance to hear directly from leaders in the creative industries – exploring current challenges, opportunities, and what drives their work. Hear what they wish they’d known earlier in their careers, and what big changes they hope to see in the sector.
Register here to join the Zoom session at 7:30 pm NZT on Tuesday May 6th, or sign up for free with Compton to access recordings of past sessions, including discussions with Jude McLaren, former Talent Pathways Manager at Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga the New Zealand Film Commission, Greenstone’s Rachel Antony, and Madman Entertainment’s Paul Wiegard.

SCREEN FOREVER 39
2025-05-06 - 2025-05-08 | The Star Event Centre Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach, Queensland
AUSTRALIA’S PREMIER SCREEN INDUSTRY EVENT
Uniting the pillars of entertainment, media and technology, SCREEN FOREVER is one of the largest congregations of screen industry professionals in the Southern Hemisphere and is attended by The Who’s Who in Australian screen business – the leading Australian and international industry practitioners involved in all aspects of producing, creating, writing, directing, distributing and financing screen content across film, television, games, interactive and online.

ShowNews Academy – STRANGER THAN PARADISE
2025-04-29 20:00 - 22:00 | Academy Cinema, 44 Lorne St, Auckland, New Zealand
Director Josh Frizzell will present Jim Jarmusch’s 1984 comedy Stranger Than Paradise.
Starring John Lurie, Eszter Balint, Richard Edson, Cecillia Stark
Rated PG
89 minutes
The film is an assembly of 67 shots (as opposed to the 1200+ common in a feature), all with live sound, making it possibly the easiest edit in the history of features.
With this breakout film, Jim Jarmusch established himself as one of the most exciting voices in the burgeoning independent-film scene, a road-movie poet with an affinity for Americana at its most offbeat. Jarmusch follows rootless Hungarian émigré Willie (John Lurie), his pal Eddie (Richard Edson), and his visiting sixteen-year-old cousin, Eva (Eszter Balint), as they drift from New York’s Lower East Side to the snowy expanses of Lake Erie and the drab beaches of Florida, always managing to make the least of wherever they end up. Structured as a series of master-shot vignettes etched in black and white by cinematographer Tom DiCillo, STRANGER THAN PARADISE is a nonchalant masterpiece of deadpan comedy and perfectly calibrated minimalism. See less
Check out the trailer here, and Join us on Tuesday 29 April.
Happy Hour drinks from 7:00 pm.
Screening 8:15 pm.
$10 Tickets!

NZWG AI Advice Handbook: Presentation with Q&A Session – 7pm
2025-04-14 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-04-10 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Are you wanting to experiment with ChatGPT, Claude, Google Gemini, or other AI tools to develop scripts, treatments, or story ideas?
While these tools offer exciting possibilities, they also introduce complex questions around copyright, ownership, and collaboration that screenwriters need to understand.
The NZWG ‘AI Advice: Handbook for Screenwriters’ covers the concerns, implications, and advice for screenwriters to assist them when they are working on their own, or with others in the generative AI arena.

NZWG AI Advice Handbook: Presentation with Q&A Session – 10am
2025-04-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom

Well-being Webinar by Film Worker Freedom
2025-04-13 17:00 - 18:30 | online
A conversation about our biggest struggles as film/TV workers incorporating ALL areas of our lives.
+ A deep dive into how we can make meaningful change towards our personal goals & well-being, no matter the stage of our career & the current industry conditions.
Come with a personal goal in mind and we will do a journalling exercise to help you get clear on your path.
Hosted by kiwi coach and Costumer of 15+ years, Crystel Tottenham.
I am pumped to help fellow filmies get more out of their whole lives, so please sign up with the link below and share with other film friends.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSec2vRhprHgUWDfYUhUDla2gCZkOhp76jtPgSQQBAzzGWlJVQ/viewform

NZWG AI Advice Handbook: Presentation with Q&A Session – 12.30pm
2025-04-11 12:30 - 13:30 | Zoom

Filmmaker Talks: Redefining the "New Zealand Film"
2025-04-10 18:30 - 20:00 | Studio 230, 230 Ponsonby Road, Auckland, 1011
‘Filmmaker Talks’ is a series of events hosted by Aotearoa Independent Film and Fish Entertainment featuring in person, sit down discussions and audience Q&As with working kiwi filmmakers.
This series aims to educate and inspire working and aspiring kiwi independent filmmakers with first hand knowledge of alternative filmmaking production practices, and give you the know-how on how Kiwi filmmakers can produce practical and effective films without relying on the traditional NZ production pipelines.
Hosted by local independent filmmaker, F. Theodore Elliott, the ‘Filmmaker Talks’ series is structured to facilitate not just learning, but in-person social networking opportunities. Before and after the presentations and Q&A there will be time to hang out, meet the filmmakers and other attendees, share ideas and get inspired.
In this first event, Theo will be talking with Nick Garrett and Mark J. Cassidy – producers of THE CANYON and DEATHGASM II.
We aim for these events to be a place where filmmakers of all experience levels can come along and gain something from the experience.
We look forward to seeing you there.

*FREE* Intro to Working in the Film/TV Industry Webinar
2025-04-06 17:00 - 18:30 | online
Are you new to seeking professional work in the film/TV industry?
Do you need guidance on:
How to find work?
How to effectively market yourself?
How to successfully network?
How to even know where to begin?!
What are some great resources for the NZ industry?
How to show up in the right energy to get aligned work?
AND more…!
Join this session for a deep dive that could save you YEARS of feeling lost and making mistakes.
Hosted by Coach and Costumer, Crystel Tottenham. Please sign up with the link or QR code and share! I look forward to seeing you there and helping you get a jump start on your career building.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfmcrVLoo0wMONz-HAcWN1vtamVQS2nMvqLvG1krTaf4M2lJA/viewform

Māoriland Film Festival 2025
2025-03-26 - 2025-03-30
Māoriland Film Festival was founded in 2014 to celebrate Indigenous voices and storytelling in film.
The MFF has grown to be the largest presenter of Indigenous storytelling in the Southern Hemisphere with year-round screen and arts programmes that include; industry events, rangatahi filmmaking, creative technology (animation/VR/AR/XR), the NATIVE Minds lecture series, performing arts, music and theatre performances, a full visual arts programme at its art gallery Toi Matarau at the Māoriland Hub.
Māoriland Film Festival and the Māoriland Hub is based in Ōtaki, Aotearoa. Both are owned by the Māoriland Charitable Trust (NZ Charities Commission: CC53677)
The 12th Māoriland FIlm Festival – MFF25 will take place from March 26 – 30, 2025.

ShowNews Academy - In The Heat Of The Night
2025-03-25 20:00 - 22:00 | Academy Cinema, 44 Lorne St, Auckland, New Zealand
Each month ShowNews presents a film at Academy Cinemas picked by a special film industry guest. For March, the chosen film is the winner of five Academy Awards, including for Best Picture: IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT – one of the most enduring Hollywood films of the civil rights era. Picked by Academy Cinemas regular Phillip McKinnon.
Happy Hour drinks from 7:00pm.
Screening 8:00pm.
Directed by Norman Jewison
Starring Warren Oates, Rod Steiger, Lee Grant, Sidney Poitier, Larry Gates
Rated M
110 minutes
‘Passing through the backwoods town of Sparta, Mississippi, Philadelphia detective Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier) becomes embroiled in a murder case. He forms an uneasy alliance with the bigoted police chief (Rod Steiger), who faces mounting pressure from Sparta’s hostile citizens to catch the killer and run the African American interloper out of town.
Director Norman Jewison splices incisive social commentary into this thrilling police procedural with the help of Haskell Wexler’s vivid cinematography, Quincy Jones’s eclectic score, and two indelible lead performances—a career-defining display of seething indignation and moral authority from Poitier and an Oscar-winning masterclass in Method acting from Steiger.’

Professional Respect Workshop - Wellington
2025-03-21 08:30 - 17:00 | Worser Bay Boating Club, Karaka Bay Road, Wellington
ScreenSafe’s Professional Respect Training Project was developed to support WORKSAFE’s health & safety guidelines around harassment.
The course will address predominately sexual harassment and also includes bullying, harassment, definitions, disclosures, and respectful behaviours in the workplace. Be a part of this screen sector culture change and help make the sector a safe environment for everyone.
The initiative is designed and implemented by ScreenSafe and we are very grateful for the ongoing financial support from the New Zealand Film Commission and NZ on Air.
ScreenSafe encourages everyone in a position of responsibility to upskill accordingly.
Numbers for each workshop are limited to 20, so book your space now!
Note: This workshop focuses on sexual harassment prevention within the Screen Industry. If you would like to talk with someone about the content of the training and the safety of participants during the workshop, please contact Kelly Lucas at ScreenSafe or our independent Sexual Harm Prevention Specialist and Workshop Facilitator Rachel Harrison

Lights, Camera, Geek Out! Rob Marsh NZCS & Niki Winer Talk SONY’s Venice
2025-03-18 18:00 - 21:00 | Dept. Of Post, Newton Rd, Auckland
Lights, Camera, Geek Out! Rob Marsh NZCS & Niki Winer Talk SONY’s Venice
18 Mar 2025 6:00 PM
Join us in Auckland for an exciting, hands-on event with DP Rob Marsh NZCS and 1st Assistant Camera Niki Winer, as they share their experience, tips, and tricks for using SONY’s Venice Camera.
We’re proud to share the collective knowledge & experience of our talented members. In this relaxed session, Rob will walk you through the ins and outs of working with one of SONY’s top-of-the-line cinema cameras, sharing insights on shooting styles and the looks he loves to create. Niki will also bring her firsthand knowledge, offering a unique perspective—though, she won’t actually let Rob touch the camera for fear of him changing the settings!
SONY is generously collaborating with us on this event and will bring a selection of their Cinema Line cameras along for attendees to explore in the mezzanine before we head into the theatre for Rob and Niki’s presentation.
This is your chance to get hands-on with the gear and gain valuable knowledge on everything from shooting techniques to camera specs. It’s going to be a fun, geek-out session — because what are we at NZCS if not a diverse bunch of proud nerds?
Free for NZCS members.
Not yet a member? For just $35, you can attend this event and get a taste of what being part of the NZCS community is all about. If you love the experience, consider joining us as an Associate member for only $207 per year — that’s access to this event and many more throughout the year, all included! It’s a fantastic way to tap into the wealth of knowledge and opportunities our members enjoy, and we’d love to welcome you to our community.
Refreshments, nibbles & gear from 6 PM.
Presentation starts at 7 PM sharp.

Fraud Film Festival New Zealand
2025-03-17 - 2025-03-18 | The Roxy Cinema, 5 Park Road, Miramar, Wellington, 6022
Since 2016, New Zealand’s very own International Fraud Film Festival has shone a light on the importance of fighting fraud.
The overall objective of the festival is to raise awareness of fraud in NZ and contribute to the fight against it by providing a forum for productive discussion and collaboration between public and private sector organisations.
As with previous events, we will do this by staging two days of high-quality fraud themed documentaries and films centred around panel discussions, audience Q and A and opportunities for networking and engaging with others who are either in the business of fraud prevention or have a real interest in the subject.

Take the Reel into Your Own Hands: Self Distribution
2025-03-12 17:30 - 20:00 | Weta Workshop Group Space, 129 Park Road, Miramar, Wellington, 6022
In an ever-evolving screen industry, self-distribution is becoming an empowering – sometimes the only – option for filmmakers. This WIFT NZ workshop brings you producers who have successfully self-distributed both scripted and documentary films. It can be done!!
Jane Mahoney – Maurice & I
Cass Avery – The Girl on the Bridge
with Jasmin McSweeney as moderator
Hear firsthand insights on navigating festival strategies, securing theatrical and digital releases, building engaged audiences and making self-distribution work for your project. Whether you’re looking for alternatives to traditional distribution or keen to learn from those who have done it, this session will be packed with practical advice and real-world experiences.
Date: 12 March
Time: 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Venue: Weta Workshop Group Space, 129 Park Rd. Miramar, Wellington
FREE FOR WIFT MEMBERS
$20 NON MEMBERS – Ticket includes drinks and nibbles

RUNT - Screening and Director Q&A
2025-03-03 18:30 - 20:30 | The Capitol Cinema, 610 Dominion Road, Auckland
Join Script to Screen for a special screening of the Australian box office hit film Runt, followed by a conversation with Director John Sheedy and STS Executive Director Dale Corlett.
This is a family friendly movie and for less than the cost of a coffee each, we encourage you to bring your family to the screening and Q&A.
Hear about John’s journey from theatre into feature film directing including the unique journey this film took from book to screen, and see if it’s true why they say “never to work with children or Animals” or in this case Dogs.
Monday 3rd March 2025
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm FILM
8:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Q&A
The Capitol Cinema, 610 Dominion Road, Balmoral, Auckland 1041
Following the screening and conversation, there will be time for networking.
$5.75 (incl. GST) for sales via Humanitix to secure your seat.
SPEAKER: John Sheedy – Director
John Sheedy is a multi-award winning Australian film, television, theatre director and writer.
His first feature film, H is for Happiness for Cyan Films, Universal Pictures Australia and Level K, premiered at the 2019 Melbourne International Film Festival, and won the prestigious Film Prize at Cinefest Oz. The film’s international premiere was at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2020 and it went on to receive a Special Mention by the Children’s Jury in the Generation Kplus section. John’s first short film Mrs McCutcheon won best Australian Short Film at the Melbourne International Film Festival 2017 and was invited to over 130 Festivals globally, winning 47 festival awards on the way through. He also received the award for Best Director at the 2018 Australian Directors Guild Awards.Most recently, John was set up director on the ABC drama series In Our Blood and Paramount Plus’s new teen drama series More Than This. He also directed a short film called Tarneit which is currently screening all over the world and has so far picked up 15 wins, including the prestigious IRIS Award in Wales and has received several nominations. John is currently attached as writer and director for the Screen Australia Funded feature 10 Moments, produced by Big and Little Pictures. John directed the new feature film Runt based on the Craig Silvey novel of the same name for See Pictures. Since it’s release Runt has become the third biggest local film of the year.
MODERATOR: Dale Corlett – Script to Screen Executive Director
Prior to joining Script to Screen in 2024, for 9 1/2 years he was the Head of Talent Development at the NZFC. During this time over 80% of the filmmakers supported through the various NZFC short films programmes have progressed into development or production on their feature films and tv shows. Dale was the CEO/Creative Director of GMAC Film in Scotland, responsible for identifying and developing high quality emerging talent and supporting their progression from shorts to features and developing careers. He was also proactive in the creation of innovative, diversity-led and gender focused talent development programmes across Scotland and the UK. He is a graduate of Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School who has worked as a director, actor, producer and writer. He was nominated for a Scottish BAFTA Best Director Award in 2009 for his debut feature film, Running Traffic.

ShowNews Academy - Brazil
2025-02-25 20:00 - 23:00 | Academy Cinema, 44 Lorne St, Auckland, New Zealand
This month writer Clinton Phillips has chosen Terry Gilliam’s 1985 classic visionary Orwellian fantasy, dark comedy, that’s filled with strange, imaginative visuals.
The film won 2 BAFTA’s – Best Production Design and Special Effects. And it was nominated for 2 Oscars – Best Writing and best Art Direction.
Directed by Terry Gilliam
Starring Michael Palin, Peter Vaughan, Kim Greist, Katherine Helmond, Ian Richardson, Robert De Niro, Ian Holm, Jim Broadbent, Bob Hoskins, Jonathan Pryce
Tickets only $10!
Happy Hour drinks from 7pm.
Screening 8:00pm.
‘In the dystopian masterpiece BRAZIL, Jonathan Pryce plays a daydreaming everyman who finds himself caught in the soul-crushing gears of a nightmarish bureaucracy. This cautionary tale by Terry Gilliam, one of the great films of the 1980s, has come to be esteemed alongside antitotalitarian works by the likes of George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, and Kurt Vonnegut Jr. And in terms of set design, cinematography, music, and effects, BRAZIL is a nonstop dazzler.’

VALUE YOUR WORTH
2025-02-22 13:00 - 17:00 | Click Studios, 525 Rosebank Rd, Avondale, Auckland
VALUE YOUR WORTH with former Chief Executive of The Ministry for Women Dr Jo Cribb and Theresa Healey on Saturday 22 February, 2025
Ever struggled to negotiate a contract? Ready to polish those skills?
Been talked over in a meeting? (PROBABLY!) Feel undervalued? (DEFINITELY!) Hate conflict? (DON’T WE ALL?)
This workshop is ideal to build self confidence when negotiating!!
LEARN TO VALUE YOUR WORTH!
?☀️EVENT DETAILS☀️?
Date: 22nd February
Time: 1 PM – 5 PM, includes late afternoon networking drinks.
Venue: Click Studios, 525 Rosebank Road, Avondale, Auckland
$10 for WIFT Members
$25 for Non-Members.
Includes networking drinks & nibbles.
Spaces are limited!!
Ngā mihi to Screenrights for making this workshop possible.

Screenwriting: What Producers Need to Know
2025-02-22 - 2025-02-23 | Building 11, Dart House, Remarkables Park Town Centre, 12 Hawthorne Drive, Frankton,, Queenstown, 9300
Script to Screen in collaboration with Film Queenstown Lakes presents Screenwriting: What Producers Need to Know a two day workshop delivered by renowned Australian script editor/EP/creative producer Claire Dobbin.
Getting to work with Claire Dobbin is a rare opportunity for those committed to investing in themselves, their creativity, and their future as screen story tellers. Designed for producers, writers, HOD’s and other key creatives, Claire has developed and delivered workshops worldwide.
Effective collaboration is one of the key pillars of a screen storytellers toolkit, and is essential for all crew, whether they be above or below the line. The workshop will cover:
How to build mutually respectful and productive relationships
How to develop confidence to explore creative conversations, and to find a shared vision with collaborators
The function that script development plays in the final production
How to identify story issues, exploring solutions through a questioning process while upholding the creative vision of a script
Advanced preparation of approximately 16-24 hrs is required. Participants will have a curated watch list and script reading to complete. These case studies will form an integral foundation for the analysis and discussion undertaken over the weekend.
This workshop was initiated by Film Otago Southland and also made possible thanks to generous support from Film Otago Southland, Film Queenstown Lakes, and Central Lakes Arts Support Scheme (CLASS) to help build creative capability in the Otago and Southland regions.
When and where:
Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 February 2025
9:00am – 5:00pm
Building 11, Dart House, Remarkables Park Town Centre
12 Hawthorne Drive, Frankton, Queenstown 9300
Wheelchair Access is available. If you require special assistance, please let us know.
Cost:
Was $85 Now $20 Total * Tickets have been generously subsidised by Film Queenstown Lakes
On both days morning tea and afternoon tea provided, BYO lunch.
Note: Places are limited. In order to complete the online registration you will be asked a series of short answer questions. You will be notified at least 2 weeks prior, if you have gained a place within the workshop.

Mental Health First Aid for Screen Practitioners – Auckland
2025-02-21 - 2025-02-22
Mental Health First Aid is the help provided to a person who is; developing a mental health challenge, experiencing a worsening of a mental health challenge, or in a mental health crisis.
Become a Mental Health First Aider with this 2 x day FREE course in Wellington & Auckland – learn skills to support your workmates and your industry.
Brought to you by Miranda Rivers, Accredited Mental Health First Aid Instructor and Casting Director and Laura Conlon, Accredited Mental Health Instructor/trainer, Clinical Social Worker and External Supervisor.
This course is made possible with the generous support of the NZ Film Commission.
On completion of the course, all participants will receive a Mental Health First Aid certificate valid for 3 years.

Lighting Masterclass with DP Aaron Morton and Gaffer Scott Harman
2025-02-17 08:00 - 17:00 | TBA
The NZCS is excited to kick off our 2025 Professional Development Program with a Masterclass in Auckland with our President, internationally respected DP Aaron Morton NZCS, who is around for a short time before he heads to the USA to prep a project.
In association with the NZCS Major National Sponsor, Xytech Lighting Rentals, Aaron and Gaffer Scott Harman will host a practical lighting presentation, from 10.00am to 3.30pm, on Sunday March 2nd with a lunch-break around noon.
Aaron and Scott will demonstrate a variety of lighting approaches, and techniques using models, props and practicals, and there will also be a chance to view some newly-released lighting units courtesy of Xytech. This will be an opportunity for Aaron to pass on knowledge about how he has developed his personal style, and how he approaches the challenges of the craft. The session will reveal insights such as why Aaron still considers a light meter one of his most important lighting tools and why he prefers to operate a camera in the thick of the drama, rather than be stuck in a DIT tent.
This course is aimed at our more experienced cinematographers. There are only 20 places available, so we are opening up pre-sales to NZCS Cinematographer Members first and will release to the general membership in the following 24 hrs. Register quickly, as we anticipate a high demand.
Cost is $160 for NZCS Cinematographer Members – 24 hr pre-sale.
Places are limited to 20 so exclusive to NZCS members only.
Details of the venue will be e-mailed to registrants. Lunch and morning/afternoon tea will be provided.
Morning session will be 10.00am- 12.00pm, lunch from 12.00pm to 1.45pm, afternoon session from 1.45pm – 3.00pm
Any enquiries please email pd@nzcine.com
