NZ Screen Awards 2026 Recognise DEGANZ Members
The finalists for the 2026 NZ Screen Awards have been announced, with a whopping 20+ productions by DEGANZ members making it to this year’s lineup across a range of categories.
The New Zealand Screen Awards are the country’s most prestigious screen industry honours. They recognise the excellence, skill, and unique talent of creators, producers, and performers in screen content in Aotearoa.
Read more about the finalists and their projects below, and grab your NZSA tickets online!
Directors and Editors Guild of Aotearoa New Zealand Best Director: Drama Feature
THUNDERLIPS
Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant
Samuel Van Grinsven
Went Up The Hill
Robert Sarkies
Pike River
Best Director: Documentary Feature
Rebecca Tansley
Tenor: My Name is Pati
Screen Auckland Best Director: Drama Series
Max Currie
Bust Up
Best Editing: Documentary/Factual Feature
Thomas Gleeson
Tenor: My Name is Pati
Cushla Dillon, Chia Chi Hsu & Nicolas Chaudeurge
Crocodile
Best Editing: Drama Series
Alex Boyd
Small Town Scandal
Best Editing: Drama Feature
Nick Carew
Moss & Freud
Jonno Woodford-Robinson ANZSE
Caterpillar
NZFC Best Feature Film
Pike River
Director: Rob Sarkies
Editor: Peter Roberts ANZSE
NZFC Best Short Film
Growing Still
Editor: Adam-Luka Turjak
The Whole Thing
Director: Calvin Sang
NZ On Air Best Documentary: Series
Devotion: The Gloriavale Story
Editor: Josie Haines
Best Documentary: Feature
Tenor: My Name is Pati
Director: Rebecca Tansley
Editor: Thomas Gleeson
Sgt. Haane
Editor: Francis Glenday ANZSE
Te Māngai Pāho Best Reo Māori Programme
Tukanga
Editor: Julie Zhu
NZ On Air Best Pasifika Programme
Lolo: The Champion Maker
Director: Jeremiah Tauamiti
400 Weddings and a Funeral
Editor: Debbie Matthews
Last updated on 22 October 2026
