DEGANZ Members Gain International Experience with Lantern Pictures

DEGANZ members and directors Max Currie and Ghazaleh Gol have undertaken international placements with Sydney-based Lantern Pictures through NZFC’s International Placements Initiative.

Max and Ghazaleh have gained hands-on experience across television development and production, working alongside one of Australia’s leading writer-led production companies.

Reflecting on the experience as his placement draws to a close, Max says he is “coming home sharper and hungrier to write.”

We congratulate Max and Ghazaleh on this exciting opportunity and look forward to seeing what develops from their international experience.

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DEGANZ Watch List: From Dinner Table To Front Line

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This week’s watchlist highlights two new projects from DEGANZ members, across advertising and factual series.

First up, Liv Clymont with her Tegel’s new campaign film Let’s Eat Together, created through Dentsu Aotearoa.

Secondly, Rita Attwood’s First Responders is back, with Series 3 dropped on Three on the 29th September and streaming on ThreeNow.

Be sure to support our DEGANZ members by checking them out.

Lets Eat Together 

advertising 

Director: Liv Clymont

The campaign celebrates the simple moments of connection that happen around the dinner table.

Avaliable to watch on Instagram 

First Responders

Factual series

Director: Rita Attwood

The series shines a light on the relentless 24/7 work of New Zealand’s emergency workers.

Avaliable to watch on ThreeNow 

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DEGANZ Award Nominations for NZ Webfest

NZ WebFest Awards

The NZ Webfest Awards take place on Sunday, 15 November, with a strong showing from DEGANZ members across a range of categories.

The Feelings Club 

Director: Taylor Nixon 

  • Best Directing
  • Best Writing
  • Best Ensemble
  • Best Cinematography
  • Best Editing
  • Best Narrative Series

Takahoa 

Director: Meggy Laguda

  • NZ Series Best Pilot
  • Narrative Series Best Editing
  • Best Ensemble
  • Best Performance
  • Best Writing
  • Best Directing
  • Best Series

Strange Brew 

Editor: Sam Small 

  • NZ Series Best Pilot

Jani Bros. 

Editor: Adam-Luka Turjak 

  • Best Series
  • Best Pilot

Silver Lining 

Director: Harriett Maire

Editor: Josh Yong

  • Short Documentary Best Directing
  • Best Short Documentary

Pākehā 

Writer/director: Mana Hira Davis 

  • Best Performance — Larissa Marie Allen

Raupā 

Editor: Allan George 

  • NZ Short Fiction Best Cinematography
  • Best Directing
  • Best Film

The Whole Thing 

Directed: Calvin Sang

  • Best Performance — Nikita Tu-Bryant & Arlo Green
  • Best Writing
  • Best Directing
  • Best Film

When Cheese Is On Sale 

Writer/director/editor: Ash Kelliher 

  • NZ Short Fiction Best Cinematography
  • Best Performance — Olivia Morphew, Nova Moala-Knox & Lillyana Steffert-Ferrarini
  • Best Writing
  • Best Film

When the Music Stops 

Director: Dan Eady

  • NZ Short Fiction Best Cinematography
  • Best Editing
  • Best Performance — Phil Vaughan

You Seeing Someone? 

Director: Molly Power

  • Best Editing

T for Taupou 

Writer/director/editor: Sofia Misa 

  • Best Student Film

Kiss It Better 

Editors: Zane Neki and Crystal Chen 

  • Best Music Video

We’re thrilled to see our DEGANZ members get such amazing recognition for their work. Fingers crossed for awards night.

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From Samoa to the World Stage: Pene Pati’s Story Wins Grand Prix

Congratulations to DEGANZ member and board member Rebecca Tansley, whose documentary Tenor: My Name Is Pene Pati has won the Grand Prix at the 63rd Golden Prague International Television Festival.

The film follows Samoan opera singer Pene Pati and his brother Amitai, tracing their journey from humble beginnings to sold-out performances on some of the world’s most prestigious opera stages.

The festival jury praised Tansley’s authentic portrayal of Pati, highlighting a remarkable life story shaped by family and his Samoan roots. Described as a moving portrait of resilience and determination, the documentary “combines music, warmth and charisma to tell a story that reaches far beyond the world of classical music.”

We congratulate Rebecca on this outstanding achievement and look forward to seeing what she does next.

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