Categories
The New Zealand Screen Awards recognise excellence in the screen industry and honour the special skills and unique talents of the companies and individuals who create, produce, and perform in screen content in New Zealand.
Eligibility Period
Eligibility period
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For Television Entries: First NZ broadcast or theatrical release between between 1 July 2025 – 30 June 2026.
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For Film Entries: First theatrical release between 1 July 2025 – 30 June 2026.
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Entries open: 30 June 2026,
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Entries close: 7 August 2026.
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Entry fee: $165 + GST ($189.75 total) per submission.
You can find the full Terms and Conditions and when you are ready, you can enter your nominations here.
Film Categories
Film Categories
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New Zealand Film Commission Best Feature Film
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New Zealand Film Commission Best Short Film
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Best Documentary Feature
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Best Director: Documentary Feature
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Directors and Editors Guild of Aotearoa New Zealand Best Director: Drama Feature
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Equity New Zealand Best Actress in a Feature
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Best Supporting Actress in a Feature
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Best Actor in a Feature
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Best Supporting Actor in a Feature
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Screen Personality of the Year *
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Best Editing: Documentary / Factual: Feature
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Best Editing: Drama: Feature
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Best Camerawork: Documentary / Factual: Feature
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Images and Sound Best Cinematography: Feature
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Best Sound: Feature
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Images and Sound Best Original Score: Feature
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Best Picture Finishing: Feature
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Best Production Design: Feature
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Best Costume Design: Feature
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Best Makeup Design: Feature
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New Zealand Writers Guild Best Script: Feature
*Finalists in this category are selected by the New Zealand Screen Awards committee; no entries are sought.
Television Categories
Television Categories
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NZ On Air Best Drama Series
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Best Comedy Programme
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Best Factual Series
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NZ On Air Best Documentary: Series
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Best Reality Series
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Best Current Affairs Programme
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NZ On Air Best Children’s Programme
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Te Māngai Pāho Best Māori Programme
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Te Māngai Pāho Best Reo Māori Programme
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NZ On Air Best Pasifika Programme
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Best News Coverage
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Best Sports Programme
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Best Live Event Coverage
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Best Entertainment Programme
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Best Director: Documentary/Factual Series
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Screen Auckland Best Director: Drama Series
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Best Actress in a Series
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Best Supporting Actress in a Series
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Best Actor in a Series
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Best Supporting Actor in a Series
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Reporter of the Year
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Best Presenter: Entertainment
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Best Presenter: News and Current Affairs
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Screen Personality of the Year*
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Best Editing: Documentary / Factual: Series
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Best Editing: Drama: Series
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Best Camerawork: Documentary / Factual: Series
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Best Director: Multi Camera
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Images and Sound Best Cinematography: Series
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Best Sound: Series
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Images and Sound Best Original Score: Series
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Best Picture Finishing: Series
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Best Production Design: Series
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Best Costume Design: Series
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Best Makeup Design: SeriesBest Script: Series
*Finalists in this category are selected by the New Zealand Screen Awards committee; no entries are sought.
Screen Legend
NZSA Screen Legend Award
This awarded is given to a screen (film or television) professional, programme or organisation who/that has made a significant contribution to the screen industry in New Zealand over the span of their career and/or broadcast.
This award is a special honour given at the discretion of the Screen Awards Committee and no entries are sought. Suggestions are invited by interested parties (to nzsawards@janda.co.nz ) however individuals may not nominate themselves.
