September 2026 Bulletin
Ahiahi mārie beautiful members, happy September! Wishing you all Spring blessings.
Thank you to everyone who put the time and effort into applying for our Seed grants! Hang tight, we’ll be making our announcements on October 30th.
Are you in or around Tāmaki Makaurau? Are free on the 8th of September? Yes, that is tomorrow! Come see Alice and I at Meet the Guilds! Tickets are free but you will need to RSVP in advance. You get free drinks, pub food, and to chat with all your favourite Screen Industry people! We hope to see you all there.
Mirabelle Field
NZWG Membership Manager
Co-President Chat
Warm spring greetings to you from Te Tai Tokerau
SEED 2026
Well, that wasn't so hard now, was it? I hear tell a stonking 185 applications were submitted, a reminder to producers and broadcasters and funders and viewers that here be writers and that they've got some stories to tell.
As my parents would say to me after any painful childhood experience, *Ua a la 'ia? Mālō le fa'auli — 'Well done, you'.
MEET THE GUILDS TUESDAY NIGHT
Tāmaki Makaurau Screen Industry Network is hosting their 'Meet the Guilds' networking and community event tomorrow Tuesday 8 September.
I'm sorry I won't be there to shake hands, air-kiss and such — our Auckland NZWG Board members shall be representing, alongside our ED Alice Shearman and Membership Manager Mirabelle Field. Seek them out and share the love.
IAWG AND 50TH CELEBRATION
Have you bought your ticket for the 50th? Did you know they've come down in price?
Don't forget we've got the world (of writers guilds) coming to Tāmaki Makaurau beginning of next month. There'll be a couple of events attached to the IAWG where we get to hear how things get done Out There. Keep an eye out emails about these.
2026 ELECTION
Am I that guy who goes on and on about enrolling to vote and participating in democracy and all that jazz? Yes. I. Am.
Until next month, keep dry, and keep writing.
Manuia le aso
David Mamea
Co-President
*Ua a la 'ia? translates to a not entirely unsympathetic 'What did you expect?', a character-building phrase that I blame squarely on the Protestant missionaries.
October 8 - Join us at Party in the Pub
Industry Events and Opportunities
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
Studio Canal Placement
Auckland based acquisition and distribution company Studiocanal NZ, in partnership with NZFC, has an opportunity for an emerging filmmaker to develop their skills and industry knowledge. The individual will support the GM Sales and Acquisitions and the Distributions team at Studiocanal NZ.
NZ On Air -Funding Round Rua Closes Soon
Funding available for Scripted, Non-fiction, Tamariki, Rangatahi, Content Development, Capability (industry skills and training initiatives), and Discoverability (industry events and awards).
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.
More info and how to apply here
Show Me Shorts - Opening Nights
Tickets are now on sale for the Show Me Shorts 2026 Opening Nights! This year’s festival season launches with events in our major centres, with a special evening celebrating short films and the filmmakers who make them.
Story Camp: Applications are open
Story Camp Aotearoa is an intensive residential feature film development lab that fosters craft, voice and vision. A rigorous five-day lab it is designed to specifically meet the development needs of their feature film project.
More info and how to apply here
Screenwriting for film: Adaptation, Structure, & Collaboration workshop with Peter Straughan - in LONDON, ENGLAND
Anyone in the UK? This intensive 2-day workshop is limited to 25 participants and will take place in London, UK, on the 10th and 11th of October 2026.
More info and how to apply here
Story Camp: Applications are open
Story Camp Aotearoa is an intensive residential feature film development lab that fosters craft, voice and vision. A rigorous five-day lab it is designed to specifically meet the development needs of their feature film project.
More info and how to apply here
Still important: Te Pae Matarau - The Everyone Project Aotearoa
NZFC, NZ On Air, and Te Māngai Pāho have just launched Te Pae Matarau - The Everyone Project Aotearoa, a survey tool to collect demographic data in the screen sector.
Writers on Mondays
Calling everyone in Wellington! A series of events highlighting the very latest work from Aotearoa New Zealand writers. Events run from 12.15pm to 1.15pm on Mondays, from now until September 28. Open to the public and free!
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!
Become A Member
Want to join up? Or, not sure if you are still an NZWG member?
Follow the link below to be part of the collective, writers are stronger together!
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