DEGANZ Members Win Big at the 2026 Show Me Shorts Festival
Congratulations to DEGANZ members Julie Zhu, Sam Small, Todd Karenhana, and Jack Woon for their recent wins at the 2026 Show Me Shorts awards ceremony.
Show Me Shorts is Aotearoa’s leading international short film festival, championing local filmmakers and connecting audiences with short films from around the world. DEGANZ is proud to have sponsored the Best Director and Best Editor categories, which were awarded to Tom Noakes and Anna Frances Pearson, respectively.
Produced by Julie and edited by Sam, Kurī won the Oscar-qualifying Best New Zealand Film Award. The coming-of-age film follows a young woman who returns home to Te Urewera following her father’s death, confronting grief and childhood trauma. Oscar-winning director Martin Strange-Hansen and Show Me Shorts judge commented on the film, saying:
Kurī is strong in every aspect of its filmmaking. From the magnetic acting to the beautifully shot imagery, and the well-paced editing, through to the clear voiced direction.
The kung-fu comedy-drama 埋單 Let’s Settle This!, written and directed by Jack, won the Script to Screen Best Screenplay award. When a dating app brings Elle and Winston together, they must settle the bill and an ancient blood feud.
Todd’s black-and-white film Socks was recognised for its cinematography, with DOP Tim Flower taking home the Kōawa Studios Best Cinematographer Award. Socks is the story about a twelve-year-old Māori boy who develops an emotional and romantic fascination with a visiting Mormon missionary.
Tom’s direction of The Worm, a horror-comedy following a teen who becomes convinced a telepathic earthworm in his backyard is manipulating his thoughts, earned him the DEGANZ Best Director award. Meanwhile, Best Editor was awarded to Anna for Bob & C-Nut: A Good Way to Start the Day – a vignette of an unconventional friendship with a 40-year age gap formed over a love for skateboarding and music.
Voting is currently underway for the People’s Choice Award, which will be presented at the conclusion of the festival. Audience members can vote for their favourite film via the Show Me Shorts website here.
Congratulations to all the winners!
Last updated on 22 October 2026
