Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington
Wellington Regional Manager
Your Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington City Manager is Thomas Coppell.
Thomas Coppell
Thomas Coppell (they/them) is a proud Hutt kid, producer & storyteller passionate about empowering rangatahi and under-represented humans to make cool screen art. They have extensive experience producing factual & scripted content for big and small screens, substantially for rangatahi, the young at heart, and the rainbow community. Their producing credits include two NZIFF NZ’s Best Short finalists, most recently, teen drama Gate Crash, and four NZ On Air funded series; including Little Apocalypse, New Zealand’s first children's drama by, for and about rainbow young people currently available on TVNZ2 & TVNZ+. Thomas also co-wrote and co-created the series. Thomas is currently producing their first feature film, Paloma Schneideman’s debut feature, Big Girls Don't Cry.
2025 Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington Winner
Ritual by Videoshop
2025 Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington Runner Up
Baby Girl by Pixel Pixies
2025 Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington Finalists
THINGS by AuroraVision
The pen is mighty by Bus Stop Productions
Work Ethics by Comica Pictures
Agapanthus Christie by Couch Kumara
Lucy and Speed by Glitter Swarm
Purgatory by Kākāpō
MOUSE TRAP! by Killing Karma Studios
Nuts & Bolts by Mahi Dogs
GPT by Nutty Mosquitoes
Grounded by Positive Barry
"Originality" by Suspicious Snapper
The Secret Garden by The Flamily
Marionette by World Wide Wellington
Shortlisted Films
Battle of the Moonlets by Hatsune Michael
Franquelin by Lamps and Plants
Preservatorium by Long & Convoluted
My Best Friend Santa by Noan
Tiers of Despair by ScAvengers
The Hermit's Flute by Silver Window
A Killing by Twotors
Show Me Your Moon! by Ugly Fruit
The Kneel Deal by Waiting for a mate
Mega Sachs by We Only Need 47
2025 Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington Winners
Outstanding Female / Gender Diverse Filmmaker
Emily Ardern from Videoshop
Nominees
Gabby D'Souza from Kākāpō
Rona Aitken from Long & Convoluted
Nova Moala-Knox from Noan
Libby Frazer from Nutty Mosquitoes
City Manager Award - Rising Star
GPT by Nutty Mosquitoes
Nominees
The pen is mighty by Bus Stop Productions
Work Ethics by Comica Pictures
MOUSE TRAP! by Killing Karma Studios
Marionette by World Wide Wellington
Best Director
Ritual by Videoshop
Nominees
Baby Girl by Pixel Pixies
Grounded by Positive Barry
Agapanthus Christie by Couch Kumara
Marionette by World Wide Wellington
Best School
DreamGirl.ai by HVHS for the wings - Hutt Valley High School
Nominees
So Dead by Flabellina Studios - Onslow College
Aftertaste by St Bernard's #1 - St Bernard's College
Crashout Christmas by Super Seniors - Newlands College
You're a Monster. by We Thought This Was a Study Group… - Queen Margaret College
Best Performer
Hugo Montgomery from Killing Karma Studios
Nominees
Janina Smolira from AuroraVision
Corbin Bain from Nutty Mosquitoes
Ethan Downing from Silver Window
Helen Corrigan from Videoshop
Best Script
The Secret Garden by The Flamily
Nominees
Agapanthus Christie by Couch Kumara
Baby Girl by Pixel Pixies
Work Ethics by Comica Pictures
Ritual by Videoshop
Best Cinematography
Baby Girl by Pixel Pixies
Nominees
Agapanthus Christie by Couch Kumara
A Killing by Twotors
Ritual by Videoshop
Marionette by World Wide Wellington
Best Production Design
Marionette by World Wide Wellington
Nominees
THINGS by AuroraVision
Purgatory by Kākāpō
Baby Girl by Pixel Pixies
Grounded by Positive Barry
Best Animation
Grounded by Positive Barry
Nominees
Battle of the Moonlets by Hatsune Michael
"Originality" by Suspicious Snapper
Leak by Swan Ronson
The Kneel Deal by Waiting for a mate
Best Editing
Baby Girl by Pixel Pixies
Nominees
The pen is mighty by Bus Stop Productions
Grounded by Positive Barry
The Secret Garden by The Flamily
Ritual by Videoshop
Best Sound Design
Ritual by Videoshop
Nominees
Agapanthus Christie by Couch Kumara
Grounded by Positive Barry
Baby Girl by Pixel Pixies
Marionette by World Wide Wellington
Best Original Score/Song
Purgatory by Kākāpō
Nominees
Battle of the Moonlets by Hatsune Michael
The Hermit's Flute by Silver Window
Ritual by Videoshop
Marionette by World Wide Wellington
Incredibly Strange
THINGS by AuroraVision
Nominees
Preservatorium by Long & Convoluted
Show Me Your Moon! by Ugly Fruit
Bubble O'Bill in Lost in the Des(s)ert by Stunseed
SLOP JOCKEY by SPLITelevision Productions
Best Disqualified Film
Respect for the Dead by 18th Circle
Nominees
Everchild by Cinetrance
Saulé Has No Eyes But His Gaze Pierces by Daiso One
The Sleepover by FCL
You, Me and the Rock Named Jeffrey by FilmedIt Studios
Best Use of Genre
Work Ethics by Comica Pictures - The Holiday Movie
Nominees
MOUSE TRAP! by Killing Karma Studios - Cat and Mouse
GPT by Nutty Mosquitoes - Ghost
Baby Girl by Pixel Pixies - Found Footage
You're a Monster. by We Thought This Was a Study Group… - Monster
Best Use of Accident
Lucy and Speed by Glitter Swarm
Nominees
THINGS by AuroraVision
Show Me Your Moon! by Ugly Fruit
The Kneel Deal by Waiting for a mate
Tiers of Despair by ScAvengers
Best Use of Miniature
The pen is mighty by Bus Stop Productions
Nominees
MOUSE TRAP! by Killing Karma Studios
DreamGirl.ai by HVHS for the wings
The Secret Garden by The Flamily
Big Wig's Drag Chase by Peeping Thong
Best Use of Something Precious
"Originality" by Suspicious Snapper
Nominees
Tiers of Despair by ScAvengers
Work Ethics by Comica Pictures
Preservatorium by Long & Convoluted
The Roommate From Hell by Stud's Production
Best Use of Slow Motion
Purgatory by Kākāpō
Nominees
Helping Hands by Bag of Rats
Agapanthus Christie by Couch Kumara
My Best Friend Santa by Noan
Tiers of Despair by ScAvengers
Judges
Our team of judges will be selecting the Finalists and Winner.
Judges will be announced as they are confirmed. You can find out about the judging process on the Judging page.
Ahmed Osman
Ahmed Osman is a producer and filmmaker based in Aotearoa New Zealand, working across film, television, and documentary. He produced the SKY Originals NZ drama series Miles From Nowhere, the RNZ music documentary Can We Kick It?, and is currently developing the YA comedy series Amira’s Odyssey for TVNZ. His directing credits include the award-winning TVNZ+ docu-series Third Culture Minds, which explores mental health and belonging among young people in Aotearoa. Most recently, he completed Arrival, a short film funded by the New Zealand Film Commission. Ahmed is also the co-founder of Homegrown Pictures, a production company focused on bold, character-driven stories for local and global audiences. A longtime fan of the 48Hours film competition, he still remembers the thrill of taking part during film school and loves the creativity and chaos it inspires.
Rachel Fawcett
Rachel Fawcett is a producer from Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa. After kick-starting her career as a co-producer on Roseanne Liang’s award-winning series, Friday Night Bites (season 2), she has gone on to produce Steven Chow’s award-winning short thriller, Munkie, the Te Reo short Loading Docs documentary, Wind, Song and Rain, Pulkit Arora's short drama, Anu, and the hit TikTok series, n00b. She also served as associate producer on the feature film biopic, Joika.
Rachel launched her production company, Lusty Productions, with actress and producer, JJ Fong, which focuses on creating obsessions and connections through female-centric storytelling, and uplifting pan-Asian voices in front of and behind the camera. In 2024, she released her first network series, n00b, for Three Now, which just screened at Berlinale and Cannes Series. Additionally, she co-created and produced YA muder-mystery series, Literally Dead, for YouTube, and the upcoming short, Lads, from director Victoria Boult.
Tina Cleary
Tina is a prolific local Casting Director who has been working in the Film & TV world for over 27 years. She co-directs The Casting Company with Miranda Rivers. She is an Emmy nominated Casting Director for Jane Campion's Top Of The Lake, she also worked with Jane on her award winning film The Power Of The Dog. She cast NZ box office success Boy for Taika Waititi and What We Do In The Shadows for Taika Waititi & Jemaine Clement along with Time Bandits. Her over 40 Credits include: Cousins, The Moon Is Upside Down, Milie Liws Low, Pike, After The Party, Wellington Paranormal, Warren's Vortex and One Thousand Ropes.
Fifi Colston
Fifi Colston is a graduate of Massey University Visual Communications Design majoring in illustration, and holds a Master of Creative Writing specialising in scriptwriting through the IIML at Victoria University, She is an award-winning junior fiction writer and children’s book illustrator of more than 50 published titles. She also works in the TV and film industry making costume and props in addition to being a multiple award-winning World of WearableArt designer with 30 finalist entries in show since 1995. Fifi is very active visiting schools and community groups, inspiring budding artists and writers through workshops in creative process.
Anahera Parata
Anahera Parata is an award-winning Aotearoa-based music video director and show runner whose work is deeply rooted in cultural narratives. Recognised at the 2020 Artisan Awards with the NZ On Air Best Music Video for SWIDT’s Bunga—a short film style video that poignantly explores Pacific diasporic history in Aotearoa - she followed that success by winning Best Music Video Content at the 2024 Aotearoa Music Awards and NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video for Aaradhna’s SHE.
Anahera began her creative journey immersed in Te Ao Māori as a native speaker and nurtured her filmmaking passion working in production on local flagship drama and documentary programmes. She has worked in international markets, including the U.S., Argentina, the Pacific, and the Middle East. Her signature style weaves authentic cultural storytelling into each project, honouring ancestral narratives while pushing contemporary aesthetics.
Anahera champions indigenous voices and supports emerging creatives. Current projects include a second season of Hui Hoppers, a feature film, and a reality series spotlighting life on the pā.
Kath Akuhata-Brown
Kath is a writer/director of documentaries, drama and commercials. These include the award winning short films Washday and Purea, drama Kairakau, and as a Director’s attachment on New Zealand and Canada's first international indigenous co-production, Night Raiders. Kath’s name has become synonymous with projects that are culturally poetic and meaningful. Her debut feature film KōKā is currently screening in cinemas.
Malcolm Clarke
Malcolm Clarke is an award-winning screen editor with over 20 years’ experience shaping hit television around the world. From America’s Got Talent and The Voice UK to Love Island and So You Think You Can Dance, his work has helped define the emotional heartbeat of global entertainment. Known for his instinctive storytelling and ability to craft viral, high-impact moments, Malcolm is a trusted creative force behind the scenes of some of the most-watched shows in the world.
His passion for authentic, human storytelling extends to the documentary space, with credits including the acclaimed feature Loimata: The Sweetest Tears, which explores grief, culture, and healing within a Samoan family. Whether working on prime-time formats or deeply personal narratives, Malcolm brings precision, empathy, and a deep understanding of story to every frame.
Betsy Bauer
Betsy Bauer is an award-winning editor, colourist and producer currently working as the Senior Media Producer at the legendary Wētā Workshop. With a career spanning acclaimed television series (Wellington Paranormal, Kid Sister, Little Apocalypse), feature films (Shut Eye, Deathgasm, Avatar: The Way of Water), shorts (Cleaver, Smog, Kōkako), and snappy short-form content, she thrives on combining technical craft with creative storytelling. Betsy has competed in the 48Hours Film Competition six times and knows firsthand the chaotic magic and collaborative brilliance it brings out in filmmakers. She’s also served as a jury member for both national and international film festivals, and is excited to return to the 48Hours competition as a judge - this time with the luxury of sleep!
Jo Randerson
Jo Randerson ONZM (they/them) is an Arts Foundation New Generation Laureate, and the founder and artistic director of Barbarian Productions. They are an award-winning playwright/artist/author who has published four volumes of short fiction and poetry and a number of plays. As a writer they have been twice-nominated for the IIML prize, received the Bruce Mason award, the Robert Burns Fellowship at Otago University, and won the NZIFF Patron’s Choice Award for their first short screenplay Hey Brainy Man!
Jo is the creator of Barbarian’s twenty-five year catalogue of works, from their seminal solo performance Banging Cymbal, Clanging Gong (2001) to large-scale outdoor immersive experiences U R Here (2023) & U R Back (2024). They also received the Topp Comedy Award in 2023.
Graeme Tuckett
Graeme is a writer and filmmaker. He is the film reviewer for The Post, Christchurch Press and Waikato Times since 2006, and the owner and manager of the film crewing agencies Crew Auckland and Crew Wellington. Graeme has made several documentaries, and has been a 48Hour crew member several times.
Ryan Alexander Lloyd
Ryan Alexander Lloyd, Ngāi Tahu/Kāi Tahu, is an accomplished Director of Photography, renowned for his unique and inspiring visual storytelling. Born and raised in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Ryan’s talents have been recognised with multiple awards from the Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS) for his work on dramatic films and commercials.
He was selected to attend the prestigious Berlinale Talent Campus, a reflection of his commitment to innovation in his craft.
Over the past decade, Ryan has worked across award-winning feature films, celebrated TV dramas, and music videos for artists such as Troy Kingi, Courtney Barnett, Six60, and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. His commercial work spans global brands including Nike, FedEx, and Apple. www.ryanalexanderlloyd.com