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:
- Blessing
Jane Shearer – Writer/Director
Steve Ayson – Co-writer
- DAZ
Jamie Lawrence – Writer/Director
Thomas Coppell – Producer
- Fade
Jared Flitcroft – Writer/Director
- Manu Masters
Te Waiarangi Ratana – Writer/Director
Keisha Castle-Hughes – Producer
- Massally
Craig Gainsborough-Waring – Writer/Producer
Salton Massally – Co-writer
- Not That I’d Kiss a Girl
Kate McDermott – Writer
Lil O’Brien – Co-writer
Lucy Lawless – Director
- The Delusions
Lucy Wigmore – Co-Writer/Director
Michael Beran – Co-writer
Gin Wigmore – Story Collaborator
Tandi Wright – Story Collaborator
- Waitangi Day
Leigh Minarapa and Tainui Tukiwaho – Writers
READ MORE ABOUT THE TEAMS HERE
Story Camp is made possible thanks to funding from the New Zealand Film Commission.
