Across Aotearoa

In 2025, the Vista Foundation 48Hours launched a new Across Aotearoa region—bringing together all teams outside Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. This means that there will be one combined regional final bringing together all the talent from across Aotearoa. 

We know its really important for teams to get together and watch their films so we will be focussing our resources on making sure that we run heats screenings in all the previous regions - Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Taranaki, Hamilton and Dunedin, as well as adding in additional locations where we have a number of teams entering, but who are currently missing out on in-person screenings. If your community or local film office is interested in a local heat, then we’d love to hear from you.

The finals will be screened online so that teams from across the country can tune in together to watch and celebrate the best of regional filmmaking. All winners in each award category will be elevated into the national finals, where they’ll compete for top honours.

We acknowledge this is a significant change, especially for the many teams who’ve helped shape the identity of the Vista Foundation 48Hours in their areas. We're hoping that this change will create more opportunities for networking, collaboration, and showcasing regional talent on a bigger stage—while still keeping that local spirit alive through watch parties and online interaction.

Regional Manager

Dean Hewison

I first entered 48HOURS in 2004, and have taken part nearly every year since then - if not competing, then as a judge.

My team has won the Wellington final three times, and the National final twice (with "The Sleeping Plot" and "Good Girl").

I'm stoked to help bring 48HOURS across Aotearoa this year, and am excited to see what creative madness comes out of this year's competition.

A long-time 48Hours participant, Dean now brings his passion and expertise to the role of ‘Across Aotearoa’ Manager in 2026, supporting the next wave of regional filmmakers.

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