Prizes and Awards
National Awards and Prizes
Grand National Champion 2025 - Supported by WingNut Films
- The Grand National Champion APEE
- $20,000 cash prize from WingNut Films
- $20,000 worth of post production services from Park Road Post Production
- $15,000 worth of gear hire from Portsmouth Film Equipment Rental
(T&Cs - services and rental expires after 5 years) - An exclusive pitch opportunity for the 48Hours Level Up Grant ($25,000) with Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga / New Zealand Film Commission. Read more here
- x1 year Digital Pigeon Freelance subscription (valued at A$456)
Grand National Runner Up - Supported by WingNut Films
- $5000 cash prize from Portsmouth Film Equipment Rental
- x1 year Digital Pigeon Freelance subscription (valued at A$456)
14 (4th - 17th) Grand Finalists, including Sir Peter Jackson's Wildcards
- x1 year Digital Pigeon Freelance subscription (valued at A$456)
National Best Cinematography - Supported by Rubber Monkey in partnership with SONY, Atomos, and SHURE.
- Rubber Monkey $3k Rental Voucher
- Sony FX30 Digital Cinema Camera with XLR Handle Unit
- Atomos - Shinobi II Monitor
- SHURE MoveMic Two Reciever Kit
Best Solo/Duo Team - Chosen by Ant Timpson
- $1000 cash
Viva La Dirt League Best Comedy
- $2000 cash
National Best Sound Design - Supported by Rubber Monkey in partnership with Deity
- An Audio Package from Deity:
National Best School Team - Supported by Digital Pigeon and Rubber Monkey in partnership with Deity and SmallRig
- 48Hours Apee Trophy
- $1000 cash
- x1 year Digital Pigeon Freelance subscription (valued at A$456)
plus the Rubber Monkey Prize Pack:
Dame Gaylene Preston and WIFT Outstanding Female / Gender Diverse Filmmaker
- $1000 cash
Wētā FX National Best Animation
- $1000 cash
National Best Director
National Best Performer*
National Best Script*
National Best Production Design
National Best Editing
National Best Original Score/Song*
National Incredibly Strange Award
National Best Disqualified
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Letterboxd Poster Competition - 10 x winners
● Letterboxd memberships
● Double movie pass to a local cinema
● Winning posters to be published on 48Hours/Letterboxd social media channels (collaborative post)
● Posters on the big screen at Finals Events/ Grand Finals events
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Regional Awards and Prizes
Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland Regional Winner
- $1000 cash
- $2000+gst of free rental from PLS lighting.This can be on any production within 12 months of winning, otherwise save it for your next 48Hours attempt.
- x1 Screen Producers New Zealand Youth Membership for one year. The team at Spada will also host a special online Q and A with the winning producers to connect them to each other, and make sure they get the most out of the Spada membership.
Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington Regional Winner
- $1,000 cash prize from Portsmouth Film Equipment Rental
- $1,000 worth of gear hire from Portsmouth Film Equipment Rental
- x1 Screen Producers New Zealand Youth Membership for one year. The team at Spada will also host a special online Q and A with the winning producers to connect them to each other, and make sure they get the most out of the Spada membership.
Ōtautahi / Christchurch Regional Winner
- $1000 from Sawmill Studios
- $250 travel support from Screen Marlborough to attend the Grand Final
- x1 Screen Producers New Zealand Youth Membership for one year. The team at Spada will also host a special online Q and A with the winning producers to connect them to each other, and make sure they get the most out of the Spada membership.
Across Aotearoa Regional Winner
- $1000 from Sawmill Studios
- $250 travel support from Screen Marlborough to attend the Grand Final
- x1 Screen Producers New Zealand Youth Membership for one year. The team at Spada will also host a special online Q and A with the winning producers to connect them to each other, and make sure they get the most out of the Spada membership.
Regional Runners up
Regional Best School Team
- Wellington Best School Team winners will receive a special tour of Park Road Post Production and the opportunity to screen their winning film at the magical Park Road Post cinema.
- Christchurch Best School Team winners will will receive a special tour at NineTwentyOne Studios.
Best Script*
- x1 one-year New Zealand Writers Guild membership and a Career Checklist Session for each regional Best Script winner. More info here.
Best Cinematography
- x1 one year New Zealand Cinematographer’s Society associate membership (valued at $207 each) for each regional cinematography winner
Best Animation
- x1 one year VFX Guild membership for each regional winner
Regional Manager's Awards
- Te Whanganui-a-Tara - Rising Star
- $1000 cash prize and a free entry into the 2026 competition from Screen Wellington
- $1000 cash prize and a free entry into the 2026 competition from Screen Wellington
- Across Aotearoa - Best Regional Location
- Ōtautahi / Christchurch - Best Use of Colour
- Tāmaki Makaurau - Future Feature
WIFT Outstanding Female / Gender Diverse Filmmaker
- x1 one year membership of WIFT
Best Original Score/Song*
- X1 annual member to the Screen Music and Sound Guild
Best Disqualified Award
- Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington - a free entry into the 2026 competition from Screen Wellington
- Across Aotearoa, Ōtautahi / Christchurch, Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland - a free entry into the 2026 competition.
Best Director
Best Performer*
Best Production Design
Best Editing
Best Sound Design
Incredibly Strange Award
Best use of Genre and Elements
Spot Prizes
Rubber Monkey Spot Prizes - Prior to the shoot weekend:
Over the shoot weekend
- Keep your eyes on @48hoursnz instagram over the shoot weekend to be in to win.
- 10 x double passes to the Wētā Workshop Unleashed experience.
- 10 x double passes to Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours
- Free pizza from 48Hours!
*Best Script, Best Original Song/Score and Best Performer will only be awarded to human creators - to be eligible for these awards generative AI cannot be used to script, compose or perform. Please check in with your regional manager if you have any questions.