The 2008 WIFT New Zealand Awards lit up SKYCITY Theatre last night with glamour and glee, culminating in a celebration of successful women television and filmmakers.

The 2008 winners are:

Great Southern Film and Television Woman to Watch Award
Roseanne Liang

TVWorks Award for Success in Television
Rachel Lang

MiNDFOOD Greening the Screen Award
South Pacific Pictures

South Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in Film
Annie Goldson for An Island Calling

Eyeworks Entrepreneurship Award
Rhonda Kite

Unsung Heroine of the New Zealand Screen Industry Award
Carmen Leonard

Television New Zealand Award for Outstanding Contribution to the NZ Screen Industry
Robin Laing

In addition to the seven official awards a Special Mention Award was given to Pietra Brettkelly for her achievement in devising, producing and directing her documentary film The Art Star and The Sudanese Twins.

In an evening of great entertainment highlights included comedienne Justine Smith kicking off the evening with a great stand-up routine and then delivering a ukulele interlude with the assistance of Amanda Billing, Gemma Gracewood, Megan Hosking and MC Jennifer Ward-Lealand.

Elegantly dressed MC Ward-Lealand then led the audience through the evening, interweaving award presentations with a trip down memory lane via film footage of feisty women from the past. From scenes of WIFT patron Ramai Hayward Rewi’s Last Stand, to Ginette McDonald in Pukemanu and Marj Brash meeting Helen Clark in Parliament, from Gloss to Outrageous Fortune, the role of women in the screen industry was much celebrated.

Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everybody who attended for making it such a special evening.

The WIFT NZ 2008 Award categories and finalists were:

SOUTH PACIFIC PICTURES AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM
This award recognises short or feature film success in the last twelve months locally and/or internationally.
This award can be won more than once.
Previous winners: Niki Caro (2004), Zoe Bell (2005), Ngila Dickson (2006), Ainsley Gardiner (2007)

Finalists:
Catherine Fitzgerald
Annie Goldson
Angela Littlejohn
Sima Urale

GREAT SOUTHERN FILM AND TELEVISION 'WOMAN TO WATCH’ AWARD
This award acknowledges dedicated professionalism, pursuit of excellence and WIFT spirit in any screen related discipline, including production.
Previous winners: Ainsley Gardner (2004), Jane Andrews & Melanie Rakena (jointly in 2005), Gemma Gracewood (2006), Rachel Gardner (2007)

Finalists:
Catherine Fitzgerald
Maria Handas
Rachael Jean
Rosanne Liang

EYEWORKS ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARD
This award recognises achievement in the screen industries and is given to a woman who has shown the ability to combine creative talent with entrepreneurship to assist in building a sustainable New Zealand production industry.
This is a new award in 2008.
New in 2008

Finalists:
Christina Asher
Bettina Hollings
Rachel Gardner
Rhonda Kite

TVWORKS AWARD FOR SUCCESS IN TELEVISION
This award recognises television achievement locally and/or international over the last twelve months.
This award can be won more than once.
Previous winners: Nicole Hoey (2005), Rachel Lang (2006), Robyn Malcom (2007)

Finalists:
Judy Bailey
Jaquie Brown
Rachel Lang
Elizabeth Mitchell

UNSUNG HEROINE OF THE NZ SCREEN INDUSTRY AWARD
This award honours long-term contributions behind the scenes which ensure successful projects and provide essential support to colleagues.
This award can only be won once.
Previous winners: Annie Frear (2005), Mairi Gunn (2006), Sue May (2007)

Finalists:
Christina Asher
Caterina De Nave
Carmen Leonard
Kathryn Rawlings

MiNDFOOD GREENING THE SCREEN AWARD
This award can go to any production company (or individual production) that is promoting the Green, Carbon Neutral and Earth Friendly message in their subject matter and/or in their business practice.
Previous winners: Park Road Post Production (2007)

Finalists:
Fumes TV
Redflame Media
Shortland St
South Pacific Pictures

TELEVISION NEW ZEALAND AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE NZ SCREEN INDUSTRY
This award honours long-term outstanding work, generous support for others, and commitment to the growth of the industry.
This award can only be won once.
Previous winners: Robin Scholes (2005), Chloe Smith (2006), Diana Rowan (2007)

Finalists:
Philippa Campbell
Caterina De Nave
Robyn Laing
Gaylene Preston

Previous winners:

• 2007
• 2006