Prizes and Awards

 

National Awards and Prizes

Grand National Champion 2026 - Supported by WingNut Films

  • The Grand National Champion APEE
  • $15,000 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
  • An exclusive pitch opportunity for the VF48Hours Level Up Grant ($25,000) with Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga / New Zealand Film Commission.
  • x1 year Digital Pigeon Freelancer subscription

Grand National Runner Up - Supported by WingNut Films

    15 (3rd - 18th) Grand Finalists, including Sir Peter Jackson's Wildcards

    Rubber Monkey Best Cinematography - Judge: David Paul nzcs

    • Nikon ZR Cinema Camera with 50mm f/1.4 Lens (valued at $4,899)
    • $1k Kondor Blue Voucher
    • $3k Rental Voucher from Rubber Monkey 
    • Filmsticks are providing a Camera Assistant Kit containing the below, valued at around $2200 NZD
      • Filmsticks Digital Timecode Slate Kit with Tentacle Sync Timebar (USA)
      • Gripcase Cover for Timecode Slates
      • Neoprene Slate Cover (Medium)
      • Set of Thermoplastic Polyurethane Transparent Cases (Blue)
      • Slingslate Quick Release Holder for Clapperboards
      • T-Handle Slotted Screwdriver (Red)
      • T-Marker Kit (Set of 7)
      • Filmsticks Tentacle Sync Timebar Handle for Digital Timecode Slate

    Couch Kumara Best Comedy - Judge: Couch Kumara

    • $2000 cash prize and certificate

    Best Solo/Duo Team - Judge: Ant Timpson

    • $1000 cash prize and certificate

    Rubber Monkey National Best School 

    Dame Gaylene Preston and WIFT Outstanding Female / Gender Diverse Director

    • $1000 cash prize and certificate

    Wētā FX Best Animation Award - Judge: Anneka Fris

    • $1000 cash prize and certificate

    Rubber Monkey Best Sound Design - Judge: Mike Hedges - Park Road Post Production

    • Sennheiser Prize Kit (valued $4500NZD)
    • Sennheiser Coffee Cups x2
    • Sennheiser Hoodies x2
    • Sennheiser T-shirts x2
    • Worlds Best Cables cabling package (valued $550 NZD)

    National Best Original Score/Song* - Judge: Mike Hedges - Park Road Post Production

    National Best Editing - Judge: Ben Powdrell - DEGANZ

    National Incredibly Strange Award - Judge: Ant Timpson

    National Best Director

    National Best Performer*

    National Best Script*

    National Best Production Design

    National Best Disqualified

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    Regional Awards 

    Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland Regional Winner

    • $1000 cash prize
    • $2000 ex GST rental voucher for PLS
    • 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.
    • 1x year membership of DEGANZ

    Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland Runner up

    Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington Regional Winner

    Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington Runner up

    Ōtautahi / Christchurch Regional Winner

    • $1000 cash
    • 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.
    • 1x year membership of DEGANZ

    Ōtautahi / Christchurch Runner up

    Across Aotearoa Regional Winner

    • $1000 cash
    • 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.
    • 1x year membership of DEGANZ

    Across Aotearoa Runner up

    Regional Manager's Awards

    • Te Whanganui-a-Tara - Rising Star
      $1000 cash prize from Screen Wellington
    • Ōtautahi / Christchurch - Best Delivery of a Line of Dialogue
    • Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland - Best Opening Scene
    • Across Aotearoa - Most Jaw Dropping Moment

    Best School Team

    • Wellington Best School Team winner 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 winner will recieve a special tour of Kōawa Studios

    Best Script*

    • x1 one year NZWG membership

    Best Cinematography

    • x1 one year NZCS Guild membership

    Best Animation

    • x1 one year VFX Guild membership

      WIFT Outstanding Female / Gender Diverse Filmmaker

      • x1 one year membership of WIFT

      Best Director

      •  1x year membership of DEGANZ

      Best Editing

      •  1x year membership of DEGANZ

      Best Performer*

      Best Production Design

      Best Sound Design

      Best Original Score/Song*

      Incredibly Strange Award

      Best Disqualified Award

      Best use of Genre and Elements

      - *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.

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      Spot Prizes

      Over the shoot weekend

       

      - Keep your eyes on @48hoursnz instagram over the shoot weekend to be in to win.

      • 10 x double passes to Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours 
      • Free pizza and teeshirts from 48Hours!