Macleod Takes the Next Leap with Springboard Award

Congratulations to Isla Macleod (DEGANZ) for being one of 16 recipients of the 2026 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Springboard Awards!

Springboard aims to kickstart sustainable arts careers for artists at a formative stage of their practice in Aotearoa. During the programme, each participant receives a $15k grant and a year-long mentorship from the Arts Foundation artist alumni.

Isla has been paired with fellow DEGANZ member, 2025 Laureate, and acclaimed director Roseanne Liang.

The Springboard Selection Panel commented,

Isla has been turning heads as an emerging theatre director.  With a background in film and television, Isla has quickly developed a strong and self-determined voice.  Dedicated and insightful, approaching her craft with both an intellectual and somatic approach – Isla has the potential to have a significant and impacting career as a New Zealand director.

Isla is a writer and director working across screen and theatre. She began her career in 2018 as a co-creator of Oddly Even, a series for TVNZ OnDemand. From there, she was selected for the inaugural Tāhuna Screenwriting Residency and has since written and directed multiple short films that have screened internationally, as well as two sell-out theatre productions under her company, Hekerua Bay Productions. In 2023, Isla was a participant in DEGANZ’s Emerging Women Filmmakers Incubator. Most recently, she directed second unit on season two of Secret at Red Rocks, and is currently developing her next short film through Jane Campion’s A Wave in the Ocean programme.

We wish Isla and Roseanne well in their Springboard journey!

Last updated on 7 May 2026