Netflix and the New Zealand Film Commission have announced renewed support for A Wave in the Ocean, a development program founded and led by legendary filmmaker Jane Campion and co-director Philippa Campbell.
The program champions emerging New Zealand filmmakers, providing mentorship, training, and creative support to empower original film making in Aotearoa.
The first phase of the initiative saw nine emerging writer-directors write and direct original short films which were selected to screen at the 2025 Venice Film Festival, including “Lion Rock” in the Orrizonti section.
Building on this success, the new programme is focused on developing participants’ debut feature films. Alumni will be helped through an intensive creative process, where they will work with mentors, script consultants and peers to refine their stories, deepen their craft and explore new ways of bringing stories from New Zealand to the screen.
“To share and encourage the talent of new filmmakers and storytellers in New Zealand, through the AWITO programme and more generally, is simply the most satisfying and exciting part of my career to date,” Campion said. “I love to be part of a multigenerational community that dares, cares, and creates. The quality of the participants’ shorts is so high I really hope we can share it with the New Zealand public.”
Netflix ANZ’s director of global affairs, Debra Richards, said it’s a privilege to back such an initiative.
“The creativity from the aspiring filmmakers involved in the initial AWITO program was impressive, so it was an easy decision to get behind them and the programme again. It’s a privilege to be part of an initiative that gives creators the freedom, resources and mentorship to take bold creative leaps, and one Netflix is proud to support.”
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Annie Murray, CEO of the New Zealand Film Commission, added: We’re delighted to champion this next phase of the AWITO initiative, building on the strong foundation they’ve established, guided by mentorship from world-class creatives Jane Campion and Philippa Campbell. The programme reflects our commitment to developing filmmaker careers, giving them the opportunity to grow and share the unique perspectives and creativity of Aotearoa New Zealand with audiences worldwide.”
The A Wave in the Ocean development initiative will run throughout 2026 with feature films selected for programme development early next year.
For more information, see here.