November 2026 Bulletin
Message from your new Interim Executive Director, Steve Barr
Tēnā koutou e te screenwriting whānau,
Many of you will have heard by now that I’m stepping in as Interim Executive Director, as our beloved Alice moves on to greater things and at the same time our operational funding has been abruptly cut. We’d been in the middle of a robust hiring process to find Alice’s replacement (because it’s nearly impossible to fill Alice’s shoes) but we had to cancel that process because we can’t afford to pay a full time Executive Director anymore. So as we figure out how to turn this ship toward safer waters, I’m jumping on board and will do my best to keep us afloat.
I have the pleasure of knowing many of you already, but in case we haven’t crossed paths, here’s a little about me. I was born and raised in Silicon Valley, moved Los Angeles for uni at USC, and worked in the L.A. system for about 15 years. I’ve worked as a writer, dramaturg, and producer in the indie and studio Hollywood sectors, China, and New Zealand, and have found New Zealanders to be the best all-round filmmakers of the bunch. I’m excited to advocate on your behalf, because I sincerely believe that by increasing the professional standing of screenwriters we will simultaneously improve the professionalism, efficiency and sustainability of our whole screen sector.
In the next couple of weeks we’ll be sending out a survey to our members, asking for you to prioritise the dozens of work streams we currently have on the go. We’re going to have to focus on our core services for the next wee while, and you, our members, will get to decide what those core services are.
We’re more reliant than ever on our membership fees, so please do keep current with your dues. I promise we’ll do our best to earn every dollar. Many of us became writers because the worlds in our heads are more fun than the world outside, and the prospect of having to negotiate deal terms or stand up to a dishonest collaborator can be stressful and daunting. But that’s why your Guild exists, and it’s now my job to advocate on your behalf. We’re ready, willing, and able to fight for you, but we need your support and advice to keep us pushing in the right directions.
It’ll take me a couple of weeks to find the rhythm of the work but that’s no reason for you to pause in contacting us. Keep letting us know where you’re hitting brick walls, and we’ll keep doing our best to knock ‘em down.
In solidarity,
Steve Barr
Win free tickets!
A special preview screening for the locally made pre-school series Be With Zee is being held on Sunday November 8th at The Hollywood in Avondale. The Be with Zee team have generously offered x5 family invites to NZWG members who may want to bring along their kids! You can watch the trailer here.
The doors will open at 1:30pm, the screening will begin at 2:30pm & will run until about 3:30pm.
The first 5 people to email me: mirabelle@nzwg.org.nz will get a free family pass!
Member Petition
NZWG member Tanya Wheeler has created a petition titled, “Urge the NZ Film Commission to restore funding to screen guilds”. Sign if you wish (no pressure)! More info and sign here.
Celebrating our Members!
Huge congrats to:
NZWG member Allan George who wrote and directed the short film Mirumiru, which just won ‘Best Indigenous Short’ at the Santa Fe International Film Festival! Mirumiru is an “animated portrait of a loving Māori couple dealing with dementia”.
NZWG member Mana Hira Davis whose short film Pākehā has been selected for the Wairoa Māori Film Festival, the RECIF Festival, New Caledonia, and the 28th Rencontres Internationales du Cinéma des Antipodes in Saint-Tropez!
To our NZWG members who have been announced as finalists for the 2026 NZ Screen Awards:
Jackie Van Beek nominated as a finalist for ‘NZ Screen Personality of the Year’.
Paula Boock and Donna Malane nominated for NZ On Air Best Drama Series for Bust Up.
Fiona Samuel nominated for New Zealand Film Commission Best Feature Film for Pike River.
Rebecca Tansley nominated for Best Documentary: Feature for Tenor: My Name is Pati.
If you have any good news you’d like to share with your fellow members in the next bulletin, please email mirabelle@nzwg.org.nz!
Industry Events and Opportunities
Applications opening soon: Writers in Motion
Daisy Lawless in partnership with the VFX Guild, are proud to launch Writers in Motion, a new professional development programme designed to boost screenwriters and animation filmmakers' original animated short-film idea into a polished, production-ready script. Led by experienced animation-writing educator Shari Goodhartz, the programme will take a small, selected cohort through the complete development process emphasising the craft of visual storytelling and animation.
Running from April to September 2027. Q&A Webinar: Wednesday 11th November 6.30pm
🎬 Build Your Confidence and Craft in Feature Filmmaking with Niki Caro!
DEGANZ has just announced an intensive five-day feature filmmaking workshop with internationally acclaimed Aotearoa New Zealand filmmaker Niki Caro. Applications are now open to first-time feature film directors OR micro-budget feature film directors scaling up for their next feature who are in advanced development with a scripted feature film. Designed for four selected directors with feature films in advanced development, this intensive offers a rare opportunity to work closely with Niki in a supportive and confidential environment.
Applications Close: Mon 16 Nov at 9am.
More info and how to apply here
New Funding: Aotearoa Scripted Series Initiative
A new co-development fund from NZ On Air, Sky and Dynamic Television (DTV) has just opened applications for the development of up to three new one-hour scripted drama series, with the aim of shaping distinctive New Zealand stories and perspectives. Applications open on 6 November 2026 through the NZ On Air Portal, with submissions closing on 3 December at 4pm 2026.
More info and how to apply here
2027 BlueCat Screenplay Competition: Applications almost closed!
The Late Deadline for the 2027 BlueCat Screenplay Competition is next Tuesday, November 10th. This is your final chance to enter this season.
Every script receives a full written analysis — real notes from a reader who has read your script from first page to last. Submission cost: $95 for a Feature Screenplay, or $50 for a Short Script.
More info and submit your script here
Breaking Ground Festival - Te Whanganui-a-Tara | 14-22 November 2026
Intensive Indigenous new writing festival Breaking Ground returns to Te Whanganui-a-Tara
next month with a compelling programme of writers developing new writing for stage and
screen. The 2026 programme includes a number of free and ticketed events.
The Writers Lab Australia and New Zealand!
The Writers Lab is devoted to script and career development for women and nonbinary screenwriters 40+. Twelve projects will be selected for deep project development, one-on-one mentorship, and career support with industry-leading writers and producers.
Submissions open November 11th.
More info and how to apply here
Doc Edge 2027 — Submissions Now Open
Now inviting documentary filmmakers and immersive project creators from New Zealand and around the world to submit their work to Asia Pacific's premier documentary festival.
Still important: Te Pae Matarau - The Everyone Project Aotearoa
NZFC, NZ On Air, and Te Māngai Pāho have launched a survey tool to collect demographic data in the screen sector - check it out!
Support our Advocacy
We have a massive year in 2026, an anniversary and collective bargaining! Financial support means we can do more work on behalf of screenwriters. Help us to help the writers!
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