The New Zealand Screen Awards (NZSA) committee is proud to recognise internationally acclaimed actor Sir Sam Neill KNZM OBE as the recipient of the 2025 Screen Legend Award for his outstanding contribution to film and television. Neill will be honoured at the upcoming ceremony taking place at the Viaduct Events Centre on Friday 21 November, where he will receive the prestigious award.

With a career spanning over five decades, Sam Neill has become one of New Zealand’s most celebrated performers. From his breakthrough in Sleeping Dogs and international acclaim in Jane Campion’s Academy Award winning The Piano and as Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park and its sequels, to his work in award winning series Peaky Blinders, The Twelve, Rake, Apples Never Fall and widely celebrated Untamed, Neill’s talent and versatility have earned him recognition on screens around the world.

“I am very pleased and proud to be accepting this award amongst my friends and peers. I just worked it out that it’s been 53 years in film - that does indeed sound like a lifetime! Thanks to all concerned. Very honoured,” comments Neill.

Sam Neill has been honoured throughout his distinguished career, receiving Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for his performance in the NBC miniseries Merlin (1998). He was also recognized with Golden Globe nominations for One Against the Wind (1991) and Reilly: Ace of Spies (1983), the latter earning him the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Award for Best Actor.

Neill’s outstanding body of work has also been celebrated in Australia, where he received the AFI Award for Best Actor for Jessica (2004). Continuing his legacy of excellence, he was recently honoured with the 2025 Logie Award for Best Lead Actor in a Drama, following his 2023 TV Week Silver Logie for Most Popular Actor for his acclaimed role in The Twelve.

The Screen Legend Award is presented to a screen professional, programme or organisation who has made a significant contribution to the industry in New Zealand over the span of their career. It is a special honour given at the discretion of the New Zealand Screen Awards Committee.

Previous Legend honourees include multi-award-winning creator and producer, Dame Julie Christie DNZM (2024), writer, actor and director Oscar Kightley (2023), television producer Janine Morrell-Gunn (2022), actor and director Ian Mune (2021), television executive Andrew Shaw (2020), Shortland Street (2019), iconic Māori broadcaster and journalist Tini Molyneux (2018) and veteran producer John Barnett (2017).

Colleague and fellow Legend Award recipient Oscar Kightley comments: “Although we use this word a lot, there are actual legends still among us. People whose existence helps make others around them and the world a better place. Sir Sam Neil is one of those people. He's done so much for New Zealand and especially the screen industry here. He's an inspiration to many. I'm stoked to be alive at the same time as him.”

The winners of this year’s New Zealand Screen Awards will be announced on November 21 at a red-carpet gala event to be held at the Viaduct Events Centre.

Comedian Pax Assadi will host the ceremony.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL BIO