This year we are excited to announce the official launch of the:
Wellington Animation Film Festival – NZ Student Award!
This award celebrates the next generation of animation talent across Aotearoa, celebrating emerging creators and offering young animators the visibility they deserve.
This is a premiere in NZ!
Our student screening will showcase the next generation of animation talents.
This award celebrates the next generation of animation talent across Aotearoa, celebrating emerging creators and offering young animators the visibility they deserve. This is a premiere in NZ!
“Our students screening will showcase the next generation of animation talents. Selected films will be screened at The Roxy Cinema in Miramar alongside the main festival program, offering emerging animators visibility within New Zealand’s thriving film community and connection to the international animation scene.”
Participating universities and schools:
Media Design School – Auckland
Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
Auckland Yoobee
Auckland Southern Institute of Technology (SIT)
Auckland University of Canterbury
Christchurch Southern Institute of Technology (SIT)
Christchurch Yoobee
Christchurch Southern Institute of Technology (SIT)
Queenstown Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT)
Nelson Massey University
Wellington Victoria University of Wellington
Wellington Yoobee – Wellington
Awards & Prizes
1 - The Wellington UNESCO City of Film Supreme Award
Newly created by Screen Wellington, main sponsor of the Festival, this award is open to film students from around Aotearoa. This award is the Wellington Animation Film Festival’s highest honour and it recognises a student’s work that demonstrates outstanding artistic vision, strong storytelling, and technical mastery.
At the heart of this award lies a unique and career-shaping opportunity:
The Screen Wellington UNESCO City of Film Supreme Award prize includes:
- An automatic place on Screen Wellington’s scholarship programme to attend the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and MIFA market in June 2026. The animation scholarship programme is designed to support New Zealand’s emerging talent and provide exposure to the global animation industry.
The scholarship includes:
- NZD $3,500.00 contribution towards travel and accommodation costs to attend the Annecy Festival.
- Dedicated pre-festival and on-the-ground support to make the most of this career-shaping opportunity.
- Benefits of travelling as part of the Wellington/New Zealand delegation, including peer support, and networking opportunities
- Exclusive co-production events and workshops.
- Adobe Licence – 1 year (one licence per winning student)
- SideFX Licence – 1 year (one licence per winning student)
- VFX Guild Membership – 1 year (one membership per winning student
2 - The Jury Prize
For outstanding creativity or innovation. The Jury Prize recognizes a work for its originality, creativity, and excellence in execution.
The Jury Prize, held by a panel of professionals well established and active in the animation industry, recognizes a work for its originality, creativity, and excellence in execution.
The Winner of the Jury prize will receive:
- 1 Wacom Intuos Pro Medium graphics tablet, valued at NZD $680
- Adobe Licence – 1 year (one licence per winning student)
- SideFX Licence – 1 year (one licence per winning student)
- VFX Guild Membership – 1 year (one membership per winning student)
Our Sponsors:
We are thrilled to announce that Adobe, SideFX and Wacom are official sponsors of the WAFF Student Awards 2026!
In addition to the prizes, our partner for the Industry Days, the VFX Guild, is proudly supporting the WAFF Student Awards 2026 by offering a one-year membership to each winning student. This membership provides:
- Access to the largest professional VFX community in New Zealand
- Exclusive industry events, talks, and workshops
- Networking opportunities with studios and VFX professionals
- A dedicated “Power Hour” with a VFX pro for practical advice
- Educational resources and discounts
The Jury 2026
President
Kyle Balda
Kyle Balda is a prominent American animator and film director, most recognised for his extensive work with Illumination Entertainment and Pixar Animation Studios.
He has co-directed some of the most successful animated films of the last decade, including the global hits in the Minions and Despicable Me franchises.
Jury
Sharon Lark
Sharon is an independent VFX Producer, previously based in London for 30 years working on major international features such as: ‘Mission Impossible’, ‘Tomb Raider’, ‘Prince of Persia’, ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ and ‘Casino Royale’.
As Co-Chair of the VFX Guild she is passionate about advocating for the NZ VFX Industries’ future and the role of wahine in the workforce. She is currently working on Jonthan Kings ‘Black Sheeps’
Jury
Emma Clifton Perry
Emma has worked on a variety of animated projects ranging from Happy Feet 2 , Alvin and the Chipmunks and on the children’s TV series “K9”.
With over 20 years experience in VFX, and 40+ credits, VFX Supervisor and Independent VFX Consultant, she has worked in house with directors like Baz Luhrmann, George Miller and Renny Harlin. Developing her skills at companies like MPC, Framestore and WetaFX she now works as a vfx production supervisor/vfx consultant and Executive internationally.
Jury
Ryan Cooper
Co-Founder, Writer, Director | Mukpuddy
Ryan Cooper is a co-founder of Mukpuddy, an Auckland based animation studio. As a director and writer, he co-created The Barefoot Bandits and led the 2025 series adaptation of Badjelly.
Ready to share your film?
The WAFF Student Awards 2026 submission portal is now close
Deadline: January 31, 2026