October 2026 Bulletin
Ahiahi mārie beautiful members, happy October! Hope you’re all surviving this mercurial weather we’re having.
Our long-anticipated 50th anniversary celebration is taking place next Thursday, 8th of October! We would absolutely love to see you all there. This event marks the end of a year-long celebration programme, and will be a joyous occasion.
Also, if you’re in Tāmaki, you may as well come to our fabulous international panels the day before, on Wednesday 7th of October. They’ll be well worth attending to hear all the global goss (plus we have a drinks and nibbles session in the middle for networking!)
Mirabelle Field
NZWG Membership Manager
Co-President Chat
Talofa from Te Tai Tokerau,
It's good-news-bad-news from the Winterless North this month.
NZFC CORE FUNDING ENDS
It's in the media, it's real, it's happening: "Film Commission axes funding for 10 groups", The New Zealand Herald, 1 October 2026.
This is disappointing news, particularly this NZWG 50th Birthday Party Year™.
Your NZWG Board members are furiously trading emails as I type this. We'll be meeting soon-as this month, after we've squared away an international conference and some writer-y celebrations next week.
Speaking as your Co-Prez, the guild's services to members remain paramount. How those services will look and be delivered may change. But the guild will continue to be here for you because no one else will that's our raison d'etre.
NEXT WEEK — IAWG, PANELS, 50TH BIRTHDAY
Monday and Tuesday 5–6 October: the International Affiliation of Writers Guilds (IAWG) will descend on Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland for its annual conference. Your Executive Director, Alice Shearman, and myself will be representing Aotearoa New Zealand at the Big Table, with a number of NZWG Board members attending as observers.
Wednesday 7 October: Writers Without Borders. Two powerhouse panels. One panel with six screenwriters from around the world. The other panel with four guild EDs from four of the Five Eyes nations. Drinks and nibbles in between courtesy of the people who collect your royalties. Only $20. Tickets here.
Thursday 8 October: Piss Up Party in the Pub. Celebrate 50 years of the guild with fellow writers! Twenty bucks for bragging rights 50 years from now!
I believe I've used my quota of exclamation marks for the month.
2026 ELECTION
Whether you don't like how things are going or want more of the same — make sure you vote.
I hope to see you in person next week — failing that, you'll be hearing from me soon enough.
Keep writing. Don't forget to breathe. Keep writing.
Manuia le aso,
David Mamea
Co-President
Executive Director Message
NZFC Core De-Funding
Tēnā koutou katoa,
You may already have seen the news… Yesterday the New Zealand Film Commission confirmed that it will end its Core Funding Programme when current contracts conclude on 30 June 2027. That programme has supported the Guild and nine other screen sector organisations for more than two decades. David and I (along with the 9 other guilds & industry orgs) met with the NZFC yesterday, and they also told us that no bridging funding will be available.
This is not the bulletin I hoped to write as one of my last to you. But, I believe, NZWG has a path through this.
Nothing changes for you today
Our current funding continues until 30 June 2027. Over the coming months the Board will be working carefully through how we continue to deliver the services you rely on: contract advice and reviews, the Rates Guide, our work under the Screen Industry Workers Act, and our advocacy on your behalf. Protecting those services is the Board's first priority, and we will keep you informed as that work progresses.
We have been here before
In fifty years, NZWG has weathered hard times. Writers lost the right to bargain collectively, and then, through years of persistent and patient work, we won it back. The Screen Industry Workers Act exists because this community refused to accept that the way things were was the way they had to stay. The resilience that built this Guild is still here.
We are not alone in this
Public funding is under real pressure, the other guilds and industry organisations are in the same boat. NZFC's own funding has been cut in each of the past two years, with a further reduction expected next year, and many other parts of the arts and wider public sector face similar decisions. That doesn't make this decision easier to accept. It does mean that our response has to be collective rather than isolated.
Ways forward
The NZFC has offered to fund independent facilitation for two to three sector workshops. These would bring organisations together to identify shared priorities and explore coordination, collaboration, and collective advocacy. The guilds have already been talking about how we might work more closely together, including through shared services and stronger collective structures, and in partnership with our fellow unions. This decision makes those conversations more urgent, and NZWG intends to take part with furious purpose. Any future arrangement must honour Te Tiriti from the outset and must keep writers' voices centred and strong.
What this moment asks of all of us is to think as a collective, and to act for the good of the whole sector as well as our own corner of it.
How you can help
- Come to our final 50th events next week, Writers Without Borders & Party in the Pub… we all need to have a drink & eat some food together
- Stay a member and encourage writers you work with to join. Your membership has never mattered more.
- Talk to us. If you have ideas, skills or connections that could help NZWG’s future, we want to hear from you.
- Look out for each other. Times like this are hard on everyone in our industry.
Industry Events and Opportunities
Applications are open for NZFC’s He Kauahi - Catalyst Short Film Funding
This fund helps you create exceptional narrative short films that can ignite the flame and be a catalyst for your career progression. Applications close October 12, 1pm.
More info and how to apply here
Waitaha Canterbury Script Accelerator 2027 - Applications open now!
This programme is to support and develop emerging/mid-career Screenwriters to progress their projects towards the next stage of production. Applications close October 30, 5pm
More info and how to apply here
Show Me Shorts: About to Open
Aotearoa’s top international short film festival runs through October, with screenings throughout the country. Discover 65 of the best short films from Aotearoa and around the world.
New Zealand Screen Awards: Tickets on sale
These awards recognise excellence in the screen industry and honour the special skills and unique talents of the companies and individuals who create, produce, and perform in NZ’s screen content.
The Indian Film Festival of New Zealand (TIFFNZ)
Taking place from 23–25 October 2026 in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, TIFFNZ is New Zealand’s first dedicated Indian film festival. The programme celebrates powerful storytelling, original screenwriting, and diverse narrative voices from India and the diaspora.
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, Oscar-qualifying, internationally connected.
More info and submission here - Early Bird deadline 15 October 2026
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!
Vista Foundation 48Hours Grand Finals 2026
Head to The Embassy Theatre in Wellington on Saturday October 17th to celebrate 2026's cream of the crop of short films made in only 48 Hours. This event will also be live-streamed.
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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