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2021 SPADA SCREEN INDUSTRY AWARD RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED

Recipients of the three prestigious annual SPADA (Screen Production and Development Association) Screen Industry Awards for 2021 were announced at the 2022 SPADA Screen Industry Summit held at the Rydges Auckland on Friday, 25 November 2022. The 2021 Awards were postponed due to COVID-19. 

 

The 2021 SPADA New Filmmaker of the Year is writer/director MIA MARAMARA Principal Sponsor Fulcrum Media Finance

This Award honours excellence, talent, and creativity in filmmaking. SPADA has been supporting and recognising emerging talent since 1998 – and this year’s New Filmmaker of the Year prize continues that proud tradition with a one-year SPADA membership; a complimentary registration to the 2023 SPADA Conference; and a cash prize of $5,000 courtesy of principal sponsor Fulcrum Media Finance.

Mia Maramara is a highly motivated writer/director who has created an extensive body of work within a relatively short period of time. The judges noted that “Mia is making an impact in reaching broad audiences and creating content that allows the Asian community to see themselves on NZ screens and within NZ contexts. This is by no means an easy feat and the quality of her work, and consistent improvement between projects, demonstrates genuine talent.”

Since starting off with short film ‘Foodie’ in 2018, Mia went on to win ’Best Pilot’ at the 2019 NZ Web Fest with ‘The Year of Yes’, and to create short documentaries as part Loading Docs in 2020 and 2021. Also in 2021, Mia earned the distinction of being the first Filipino director to helm a prime-time drama that features the Filipino language, Tagalog, and a cast of Filipino leads with ‘Albularyo: The Witch Doctor’.

As a writer, Mia has written and sold four spec scripts, one of which is currently slated for production in 2023 and was one of eight writers for anthology feature film ‘Kainga’. She also participated in the Ricky Lee Cinemalaya Screenwriting Intensive, where she beat out over 5000 applicants to work personally with screenwriting legend Ricky Lee.

Principal Sponsor of the Award, Fulcrum Media Finance, provides the recipient with $5,000 to support their career, which Mia will put towards writing a feature film version of ‘Albularyo: The Witch Doctor’, which has generated interest from sales agents.

 

The 2021 SPADA Independent Producer of the Year is GEORGINA CONDER Proudly Sponsored by Crombie Lockwood

Celebrating outstanding contribution as an independent producer in the last calendar year.

This year’s recipient of the 2021 SPADA Independent Producer of the Year has been producing films for the past 20 years. Georgina started line-producing Taika Waititi’s first film ‘Eagle V Shark’, then ‘Boy’, followed by ‘Shopping’. Georgina then went on to co-produce ‘Consent: The Louise Nicole Story’, and ‘Free in Deed’.

In 2015 Georgina formed Miss Conception Films alongside co-conspirator Ainsley Gardiner, to focus on female and diverse filmmakers. They produced six films in four years, ‘The Breaker Upperers’, ‘She Shears’, ‘Reunion’, ‘Cousins’, ‘Night Raiders’ and ‘Going Going’. Georgina was also back in production with ‘Dox’ when the Delta virus hit NZ.

The 2021 calendar year that this Award covers was particularly challenging due to COVID 19’s impact on the screen sector and the world in general. Despite this, Georgina not only had two films in production, but she also released three films in cinemas and festivals.

Georgina’s film ‘Cousins’ was the most successful NZ film at the local box office in 2021; a position Georgina was no stranger to as both ‘The Breaker Upperers’ and ‘Boy’ held the same records in their years of release. Georgina has also had films premiere internationally at the world’s top tier festivals: Sundance, SXSW, TIFF, London Film Festival, and Berlinale. Having been mentored early on in her career by Larry Parr, Georgina understands the positive impact it can have, so in turn has mentored and supported many emerging producers such as Sophie Cherry, Kate Mulligan, Kate Prior, Angela Cudd, and Simone Ashton.

With a commitment to first- and second-time filmmakers Georgina has produced Loren Taylor’s first feature and is developing first features with Chelsea Preston-Crayford, Georgina Taylor, and others. Georgina always makes space for technical trainees, particularly young women, and Māori, and has developed the skills of many emerging camera, lighting, sound, and continuity technicians.

Georgina has had a powerful impact on the filmmaker community and landscape in the past year and this Award recognises the dedication and commitment she has shown for many years to building the capacity of this community.

 

The 2021 SPADA / Data Book Industry Champion Award Recipient ADRIAN ‘WOOKIE’ HEBRON

Recipients of the Industry Champion Award have demonstrated passion and professionalism in making a significant contribution to the Aotearoa / New Zealand screen production industry.

This year’s Industry Champion has worked in our screen industry for over 30 years.

In addition to being an outstanding Gaffer and person to crew alongside, Adrian “Wookie” Hebron has always been a huge advocate for emerging talent and is quick to support those starting out in the industry.

Wookie, as he’s known across the sector, is one of the founding members of the ScreenSafe Working Group, which developed over a three-year period the current Health and Safety guidelines the sector uses to ensure everyone gets home safe after a day’s work. As a long-standing member of the Screen Industry Guild of Aotearoa New Zealand’s (SIGANZ) Wellington Branch Committee/National Executive, Wookie continues to be deeply involved in ScreenSafe work and key issues affecting crew and allied crafts in New Zealand.

For many years Wookie has shared his skills and knowledge with students and industry entrants, with countless hours spent at the NZ Film School and other tertiary campuses teaching in the lighting department and assisting staff to train to industry standard. Wookie is quick to recognise talent and there is a long, long list of lighting assistants, best boys, lighting technicians and gaffers who have him to thank for their first chance to work on set.

Wookie is a patient and committed mentor who teaches so much more than lighting, as he leads by example with his work ethic, and he genuinely cares about supporting people at every level of the industry to grow and thrive. The minute you say his name people who know him will smile - he is much loved and respected for his work, his way in the world, and his great sense of humour.

Adrian “Wookie” Hebron exemplifies what it means to give generously and selflessly to the industry over his entire career, a most worthy recipient of the 2021 SPADA / Data Book Industry Champion.

Unfortunately Wookie was unable to make it to the Awards ceremony, so we'll look forward to presenting his Industry Champion Award to him in the coming weeks.

 

SPADA would like to thank all its Sponsors and Supporters for this year’s 2022 SPADA Screen Industry Summit: Principal Sponsor - New Zealand Film Commission; Key Sponsors NZ On Air, Screenrights, Crombie Lockwood: Sponsors and Supporters Images and Sound, Fulcrum Media Finance, The DATA Book, and Budget.

For more information on the SPADA Screen Industry Summit visit: www.spada.co.nz.