Script to Screen is thrilled to announce the addition of two Australian filmmaking teams and their projects selected for Story Camp Aotearoa 2026. A huge mihi to our partners South Australian Film Corporation for supporting this kaupapa.
Battle of the Ancestors writer/director Natasha Wanganeen and producer Isaac Coen Lindsay, and The Malibu King writer/director Edoardo Crismani will be travelling from Adelaide to attend Story Camp Aotearoa 2026.
These filmmakers will be joining eight Aotearoa-based teams embarking on a five-day journey of deep story development.
Story Camp Aotearoa is a residential development lab for feature film that provides a framework and environment with tikanga and Māoritanga embedded. Projects are supported by exceptional local and international advisors selected specifically to meet the development needs of each writer and feature film project.
The team at Script to Screen look forward to supporting and guiding this next cohort of Story Camp Aotearoa filmmakers.
Story Camp is made possible thanks to funding from the New Zealand Film Commission.
This year marks the twelfth addition of the FilmUp mentorship programme, Script to Screen would like to thank the NZFC who have continued to support this kaupapa to continue strengthening and developing Aotearoa’s feature film writers, directors and producers.
Script to Screen is delighted to announce the 2026 participants who will join this growing community of advancing Feature Film practitioners.
The selected participants listed below will be matched with industry mentors to help develop their feature film project. During the six-month programme the group will also participate in a series of development hubs that include round tables, group workshops, and guest speakers sharing their experiences and perspectives, helping to strengthen industry connections.
An insight into the application process:
113 applications were received which proved a challenge for our selectors to make the final decision. 3 independent industry selectors with experience across writing, directing and producing assessed the applications. Successful applicants had both a very strong track record of creating innovative work with unique and authentic perspectives. They were also able to articulate clearly what their current project development requirements were, and how a mentorship will help in their progression.
From the large number of very strong applications, it is clear that mentorships like FilmUp are of a very high value to emerging and mid-career professionals.
We thank each and every applicant who submitted to be considered for FilmUp. We are sorry we can’t support more. We acknowledge how disappointing it is when applications are unsuccessful and encourage you to continue to apply for development kaupapa that aligns with the type of support you are looking for. From our perspective, we see every year how beneficial it is for filmmakers and their projects to continue to apply for all the development opportunities they can.
FilmUp is made possible thanks to funding from The New Zealand Film Commission
Script to Screen is delighted to announce the filmmakers and their projects selected for Story Camp Aotearoa 2026. A huge mihi to our funders Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga New Zealand Film Commission for continuing to support this development kaupapa for Aotearoa’s Screenwriters.
Story Camp Aotearoa is a residential development lab for feature film that provides a framework and environment with tikanga and Māoritanga embedded. This kaupapa, enables screenwriters and their teams to shut out the noise from their usual working environment and life, embarking on a five-day journey of deep story development. The unique location of the camp both informs and protects the wairua of our participants and their stories enabling films to be rigorously developed, elevated and supported.
Projects are supported by exceptional local and international advisors selected specifically to meet the development needs of each writer and feature film project.
Thank you to the 57 projects and filmmakers who submitted their project for consideration for this opportunity. The craft of applying and the work that goes into developing the film scripts submitted does not go unrecognized. We acknowledge you all, and wish you all the best on your development journey.
The team at Script to Screen look forward to supporting and guiding this next cohort of Story Camp Aotearoa filmmakers.
Congratulations to the filmmakers whose feature film projects will be developed through Story Camp Aotearoa 2026:
READ MORE ABOUT THE TEAMS HERE
Story Camp is made possible thanks to funding from the New Zealand Film Commission.
“An excellent and mandatory program for Aotearoa’s new wave of storytellers, writers and filmmakers. Opportunities like this to develop, learn, un-learn and grow are very rare in the world. And to share this space with other high-level creatives and mentors/industry experts only elevates our professional standards and work. Big thank you to Script to screen!”
Danny Aumua
FilmUp 2023/24 participant (mentor Catherine Fitzgerald)
The FilmUp Mentorship is professional development programme for filmmakers making feature films. In 2026 it will continue to support and empower eight tenacious and talented feature filmmakers to reach the next stage in their creative careers.
As this is a one-to-one mentorship, it is open to individual filmmakers rather than writing partnerships and/or teams.
Applications are now open for filmmakers who are writers, directors or producers with a feature film project and who can demonstrate that their project and career are at the right stage for mentorship.
FilmUp will run from April to November 2026.
Each successful filmmaker will receive:
Mentorship forms the cornerstone of the FilmUp programme, successful applicants can clearly identify and hold their learning and development needs. Autonomy is fostered from the start of the programme with participants actively involved in the selection of their mentor and additional support.
Since its inception in 2013, FilmUp has gone from strength to strength, with a growing number of alumni who have benefitted and progressed from the programme, including 22 debut feature films being made by alumni following their FilmUp mentorship.
Alumni include Briar March (Dame Valerie Adams: MORE THAN GOLD, Mothers of the Revolution), Chelsea Winstanley (TOITU:Visual Sovereignty,Ka Po, Night Raiders), Desray Armstrong (Kōkā, The Mountain, Bad Behaviour), Florian Habicht (James & Isey, Spookers), Gaysorn Thavat (The Justice of Bunny King), Jake Mahaffy (Reunion, Free in Deed), Nic Gorman (Human Traces), Paula Whetu-Jones (Whina, Waru), Sophie Henderson (Workmates, Baby Done) and Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa (Three Wise Cousins, Take Home Pay).
KEY DATES:
APPLICATIONS OPEN: Monday 29th September 2025
Q&A WEBINAR: 6:00 pm, Wednesday 15th October 2025
FilmUp Transcript Please note this has not been edited.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 1:00 pm, Monday 10th November 2025
NOTIFICATION OF OUTCOME: Early December
HUB DATES: (Dates subject to change)
HUB 1: Auckland (2 days) – Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st April 2026
HUB 2: Online – Friday 22nd May 2026
HUB 3: Auckland (1 day) TBC – proposed late June/ early July
HUB 4: Online – Friday 28th August 2026
HUB 5: Auckland (2 days) – Thursday 5th and Friday 6th November 2026
APPLY FOR FILMUP:
https://form.jotform.com/Script_to_Screen_NZ/2026-filmup-mentorship-application-
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
FilmUp is a one-to-one mentorship for individual filmmakers who are working on a feature film or feature documentary. You must be a NZ citizen or permanent resident to apply.
Make sure you read our Top Tips to make your FilmUp application shine while crafting your application. FilmUp top tips to apply 2026
Selection Criteria:
The selection criteria is used by the selection panel to help assess your application and guide their discussion. Listed below in no specific order.
FilmUp is made possible thanks to financial support from the New Zealand Film Commission.
We’ve put together our top five tips to help make your application shine.
“This development lab was a game-changer for my screenplay, allowing me to deeply refine my story while receiving guidance that was specifically tailored to the stage of development I was in. It wasn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, it was a truly immersive and personalized experience that helped me push my script forward.” – Participant 2025
Script to Screen welcomes feature film projects (narrative or documentary) that are ready for an in-depth development process to apply for Story Camp Aotearoa 2026.
Story Camp Aotearoa is a unique stepping stone for any project prior to pitching, funding and production. This development camp, which has tikanga and Māoritanga embeded in its kaupapa, enables screenwriters and their teams to shut out the noise from their usual working environment and life, embarking on a five-day journey of deep story development. The unique location of the camp both informs and protects the wairua of our participants and their stories.
Each film and team is matched with leading industry experts as advisors who are chosen specifically for the needs of the project, and where it is at in its developmental journey. Alongside in-depth story sessions with advisors, Story Camp Aotearoa also includes project-based group workshops; workshopping with actors; industry panel discussions and guest advisors from other artforms.
Alumni films from Story Camp which have since progressed through to production are Human Traces, Cousins, The Justice of Bunny King, There’s No I In Threesome, Juniper, Nude Tuesday, Millie Lies Low, Ms Information and Caterpillar.
Q&A WEBINAR WATCH NOW:
Story Camp Aotearoa Kaupapa
Story Camp Aotearoa is an intensive Feature Film development lab run by Script to Screen. Participants stay onsite in Auckland for the duration of the camp. This unique opportunity provides participants the freedom to switch off from the outside world and be immersed in their project.
Over the course of the camp daily content may include: group work, 3-5 story development sessions per day, time for personal and project reflection, and team meetings.
Sessions can include the following elements:
Shared communal spaces allow for participants to connect at mealtimes and breaks, building new relationships and discovering and advancing their projects together.
Script to Screen alongside our volunteers provide the manaakitanga of the camp, which includes ensuring coffee, food and amenities are provided throughout the course of the camp.
Story Camp is made possible thanks to generous support from Te Tumu Whakaata Toanga New Zealand Film Commission.
📸 Pictured 2025 advisor Miriama McDowell with writer Jamie McCaskill (Hide the Dog). Photo by Evie Mackay
KEY DATES:
Applications open: Now, Monday 11th August 2025
Applications close: 1 PM, Monday 22nd September 2025
The residential development lab will take place from: Monday 16th – Friday 20th March 2026.
Travel costs for participants who live outside Auckland will be covered as part of the programme.
Shortlist Notified: End of October
Announcement: Early December
Team Zoom Meetings: 1-5 December
ABOUT STORY CAMP:
Story Camp Aotearoa is an intensive residential feature film development lab that fosters craft, voice and vision. Selected screenwriters and creative teams deepen their understanding of the needs of their script and project through one-to-one bespoke sessions with exceptional international and local advisors. A rigorous five-day lab it is designed to specifically meet the development needs of their feature film project.
This development camp, which has tikanga and Māoritanga embed in its kaupapa, enables screenwriters and their teams to shut out the noise from their usual working environment and life, embarking on a five-day journey of deep story development. The unique location of the camp both informs and protects the wairua of our participants and their stories.
The tailored developmental approach of Story Camp Aotearoa also includes project-based group workshops; workshopping with actors; industry panel discussions and guest advisors from other artforms.
Each film and team are matched with advisors who are chosen specifically for the needs of the project, and where it is at in its developmental journey.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
Stage of Development
Although we recognise the development process for feature films is as individual as the stories they are telling, Story Camp is designed to deep dive into the development process. Therefore, scripts or projects that are early in their journey may not benefit as much as others from this process. So, although we are not prescriptive about what draft your project should be at, we highlight that it is unlikely a first or early draft script or project would be selected.
We are keen to hear from writers, writer/directors, and filmmaking teams who have a feature film in development that they are ready to go deeper into their development process. These could be in the story development phase, the structural re-drafting phase or even at an advanced stage and getting close to production ready. We are happy to discuss the stage you are at and whether this is an appropriate route for you and your project prior to applying.
Please contact info@script-to-screen.co.nz to arrange a time to have a kōrero.
Your voice
Story Camp Aotearoa is all about supporting unique screen stories from Aotearoa. We are open to all genres. We are passionate about supporting stories that reflect who we are and the rich diversity of our communities and country. We encourage applications with scripts in Te Reo Māori, and those from our Pacific Island, Asian and other culturally diverse communities. We also encourage applications from other underrepresented communities like, but not limited to, those who identify as LGBTQi, *gender diverse, *disabled or neurodivergent.
If you have any access support needs to help you apply, please get in touch as soon as possible so we can help. info@script-to-screen.co.nz
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility:
(Please contact Script to Screen if you are developing a co-pro prior to applying)
Provide the following via this form:
https://form.jotform.com/Script_to_Screen_NZ/story-camp-aotearoa-2026-apply
Upload
Please ensure ALL uploaded attachments are page-numbered and include a header with the applicant’s name and the project title.
Please provide one submission PDF document (no more than 10 pages) with the following:
If you are applying with a feature documentary, please also provide (if you have it) a link to some footage from/about the documentary you are applying with.
Application Fee
We have a nominal application fee of $30. If this is a barrier to you applying, please get in touch with us.
Please make your payment by midnight on Monday 22nd September 2025.
Account Name: Script to Screen Te Tari Kupu A Whakaahua
Account Number: 03 0255 0178775 00
Reference: StoryCamp – Applicant Name
Amount: $30
APPLY HERE:
Please apply via our online form: https://form.jotform.com/Script_to_Screen_NZ/story-camp-aotearoa-2026-apply
*Gender diverse is the umbrella term for the variation of gender identities in the gender spectrum (i.e. it encompasses gender identities such as transgender, agender and non-binary).
*A disability is defined as a long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment which in interaction with various barriers may hinder full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.
This definition comes from Article 1 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
📸 Photograph captured by Evie Mackay
Script to Screen welcomes eight new filmmakers to the South Shorts Mentorship Programme!
From July to November, the participants will embark on an incredible journey of development led by acclaimed screenwriter and director Briar Grace-Smith (Cousins, Rūrangi, Waru). Briar has led the mentorship for South Shorts since 2018, and in this time has had a hand in the professional development of almost 80 filmmakers.
South Shorts participants will take part in five group workshops that will include script read-throughs, group discussions, writing exercises, and insightful sessions with guest filmmakers. South Auckland Filmmakers who go through the programme leave better equipped to take the next steps towards production. The sense of community and support that comes from being a part of South Shorts is a big part of the programme and the Script to Screen team look forward to supporting them every step of the way. The success of South Shorts alumni demonstrates the power of mentorships and the boundless potential in the South Auckland community.
“We acknowledge the courage, dedication and time applicants put into their applications and we thank everyone who applied for this programme. “– Briar Grace Smith
Congratulations to these eight selected filmmakers:
(pictured left to right)
The South Shorts Mentorship Programme is made possible thanks to generous support from Foundation North.
It is with great pleasure that we announce the participants for the Waitaha Screen Development Incubator. We were thrilled with the quality of applications this year. The submitted projects were of a very high calibre, and we would like to thank all those who submitted their projects for consideration, and we’re sorry we couldn’t support more.
We look forward to supporting these talented screen storytellers and their projects through this development programme.
Participants will attend the Christchurch hub and online mentorship prior to the in-person pitch event to an invited industry audience at the Big Screen Symposium in Auckland on 4th and 5th of July 2025.
The purpose of this programme is to support the development of original IP in the region and to support creators to progress their projects to be equipped to seek other partnerships and funding.
This collaboration between Script to Screen and Te Puna Matarau helps continue to bring attention to the talent and potential within Waitaha, creating development opportunities to strengthen and support screen storytellers, their projects and the future of screen in the region.
Congratulations to the following participants and their projects:
(pictured left to right)
The Waitaha Screen Development Incubator is made possible thanks to funding from the
New Zealand Film Commission, and NZ on Air.
A Script to Screen Programme presented in partnership with Te Puna Matarau.
Kotahi kapua ki te rangi he marangai ki te whenua **
One cloud from the heavens brings rain and nourishment to the parched land
nā tauira o Te Ataarangi
Script to Screen and Compton School are delighted to share the exciting news that Vista Foundation have come on board providing additional for support our Rainmakers Aotearoa programme. Thanks to this generous support, we have been able to provide mentorship for a further 6 practitioners!
“The Vista Foundation is delighted to support the Rainmakers program with the backing of Script to Screen and Compton School. The mix of attendees, mentorships and an excellent presenter lineup met our goal of building the skillset of participants which will help to support a sustainable NZ film industry.”
These six participants were chosen from our original application and selection process.
With the addition of the six new participants, the first Auckland hub was held on Friday 14th of March, and it was a huge success. Guest speakers included Rachel Anthony, Matthew Liebmann, Sue Maslin, and Tom Hern, and along with the expanded cohort everyone involved brought rigor, depth, and thoughtful interrogation throughout.
Mentorships for many participants are now underway, and we look forward to continuing this mahi as the year progresses.
Script to Screen is committed to continuing to develop and deliver development programmes that meet the needs of the screen sector of Aotearoa. This collaboration with Compton School has once again delivered an exceptional workshop and we look forward to continuing this kaupapa in the coming months.
Please congratulate the new additions selected for Rainmakers Aotearoa:
(pictured left to right)
Once mentors have been selected and matched, Script to Screen will publish them alongside the mentees.
Rainmakers Aotearoa will harness the knowledge of a generation of exceptional individuals, and through a co-designed approach, support the transfer of knowledge.
Script to Screen is committed to continuing to develop and deliver development programmes that meet the needs of the screen sector of Aotearoa.
* This whakataukī is from a waiata composed by early members of Te Ataarangi in honour of Dame Kāterina Mataira and the kaupapa of Te Ataarangi in Te Reo language revitalisation – which continues today. It describes how a single person or kaupapa (kotahi kapua) can have great impact, just like one lifegiving rain shower on the parched land.
Rainmakers Aotearoa is a Script to Screen initiative run in partnership with Compton School.
Rainmakers Aotearoa is possible thanks to generous support from Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga New Zealand Film Commission, and Vista Foundation.
