Writers Without Borders: A Global Guild Gathering

Writers Without Borders: A Global Gathering

For one afternoon and evening in Tāmaki Makaurau, the leadership of the world's screenwriting guilds comes together. Two panels with one shared question: how do writers build and hold power?

About this event

In NZWG's 50th year, we're honoured to host the Executive Directors and Presidents of our sister guilds from around the globe, including the United States, Canada and Australia here in Auckland. Across an afternoon panel and an evening panel, with drinks and nibbles in between! We'll trace the fights that have shaped the profession and ask what storytelling is for in a rapidly changing world.

Come for one session or stay for both. All events are held at QT Hotel, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland on Wednesday 7 October 2026.

1.30pm Arrival

2:00–4:00pm Top 10 Writers' Fights — Lessons in Building Power

From 4:00pm ACSAA Drinks & Nibbles (included with every ticket)

6:00–8:00pm Can Stories Save Us? — Storytelling in a Changing World

2:00–4:00pm — Top 10 Writers' Fights: Lessons in Building Power

Alice Shearman sits down with Ellen Stutzman (WGA West), Victoria Shen (Writers Guild of Canada) and Claire Pullen (Australian Writers' Guild) to trace the landmark industrial and rights battles that have shaped the profession worldwide, and what those hard-won lessons mean for writers here at home. This is the story of how power gets built, told by the people who've built it.

From 4:00pm — ACSAA Drinks & Nibbles

Included with every ticket: drinks and nibbles hosted by ACSAA (formerly AWGACS) and the Australian Writers' Guild, the perfect opportunity to mix and mingle with our international guests.

6:00–8:00pm — Can Stories Save Us? Storytelling in a Changing World

Kathryn Burnett leads a craft conversation with Peter Mattessi (AWG), Michele Mulroney (WGA West), Bruce Smith (WGC), Jennifer Davidson (Writers Guild of Ireland) and Tom Fontana (WGA East) on the cultural role of storytelling, and why writers matter more, not less, in the years ahead.

Member tickets are just $10 a panel, or $20 for both (drinks and nibbles included). Come for one session or make an afternoon and evening of it.

All packages include ACSAA Drinks & Nibbles.

Panel 1 + Drinks & Nibbles — $10 (NZWG Member) & $15 (General Admission)

Top 10 Writers' Fights: Lessons in Building Power (2–4pm) + ACSAA Drinks & Nibbles

Panel 2 + Drinks & Nibbles — $10 (NZWG Member) & $15 (General Admission)

Can Stories Save Us? Storytelling in a Changing World (6–8pm) + ACSAA Drinks & Nibbles

Panel 1 & 2 + Drinks & Nibbles — $20 (NZWG Member) & $30 (General Admission)

Both panels + ACSAA Drinks & Nibbles (the full afternoon and evening)

Ticket Note:

Members of Ngā Aho Whakaari, PISA, PASC & Proud Voices on Screen are eligible for the NZWG Ticket prices.

Thanks heaps to our sponsors for this event: ACSAA (Authorship Collecting Society Australia Aotearoa), AWG (Australian Writers' Guild), and IAWG (International Affiliation of Writers Guilds).