News / Events

26th Spada Screen Industry Award Recipients Announced 

Thursday, 10 October 2024, The Maritime Room, Auckland 

Spada is the New Zealand Screen Producers Guild 
 

Television industry veteran Andrew Shaw; Angela Cudd, one of the producing team of the hit feature film Uproar; and emerging producer Jason Taylor have all been recognised at the 26th Annual Spada Screen Industry Awards in Auckland tonight. 

Taylor (Ngati Maniapoto, Waikato, Ngāto Tama, TeĀti-Awa) won the Spada Emerging Producer Award - Principal Sponsor Hinterland. He is the producer of The Barber Shop Sessions, a music series for RNZ, and his latest documentary series, Hi-Vis, also with RNZ. 

The runner-up in the Emerging Producer category was Joyce Wong, whose factual series Camp Be Better has just been released on TVNZ+. 

Angela Cudd was awarded the Spada Independent Producer of the Year Award - Sponsored by Gallagher Insurance – her credits include When Bob Came, Uproar and Brutal Lives. 

Television veteran Andrew Shaw was honoured with the Spada Data Book Industry Champion Award. Shaw started working in television 49 years ago, as the teenage host of TVNZ children’s shows. He eventually moved on to directing and producing, and then significant industry leadership roles. 

Spada President Irene Gardiner said Shaw was a true industry champion. “Andrew has done so much for our sector – he’s worked in a huge variety of roles and always advocated for the industry and helped and mentored the people working in it. It’s wonderful for Spada to be able to acknowledge him in this way.” 

FURTHER INFORMATION 

Spada Emerging Producer Award 
Principal Sponsor - Hinterland 
In its inaugural year, the Award replaces what was formerly the Spada New Filmmaker of the Year. The Spada Emerging Producer Award recognises the creativity, innovation, and dedication of up-and-coming producers. 

The winner of the Award receives a 12-month bespoke mentorship from Hinterland’s Managing Director Sharon Menzies, opportunities to join the MD in discussions and meetings, along with international in-market support where possible; a 12-month Spada membership; and a complimentary registration to the 2025 Spada Conference. 

L-R: 2024 Emerging Producer Award Runner Up Joyce Wong, Rosie Hole (Hinterland), 2024 Emerging Producer Award Winner Jason Taylor
(C) Spada       Photographer: Marino Mariner

Spada Emerging Producer Award (Principal Sponsor - Hinterland)   

WINNER - JASON TAYLOR / TAI HURI FILMS 
 
Jason Taylor (Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato, Ngāti Tama, TeĀti-Awa) is a regionally based screen producer collaborating with some of Aotearoa NZ’s most exceptional filmmaking talent. He is the producer of The Barber Shop Sessions, a factual music series, and documentary series HI VIS, both available across RNZ’s digital platforms. Jason has a diverse slate of IP, including narrative and documentary screen content for local and international markets. 

In 2024 he has two animated series that have received development funding from NZ On Air and Te Māngai Pāho, and two features in early development including whimsical animated feature Ancestral Fusion and queer climate romance King Tide. He is currently in production on his animated short, Mirumiru, funded through NZ Film Commissions Fresh Shorts programme.  

Taylor is also making a noticeable contribution to the screen production industry, receiving a grant from the Screenrights Cultural Fund for his initiative ‘Tāhuhu Stories’, a marae-based documentary filmmaking wānanga providing rangatahi in remote parts of Te Tai Tokerau/the North Coast with the opportunity to learn and create in the screen industry. 

Taylor has a breadth of skills from his teaching background, with his insightful questions, calm demeanour, his focus on uplifting Māori voices, and his unwavering commitment to deadlines. Always a good quality to have as a producer. 

Taylor exemplifies the Award's goal of recognising creativity, dedication, and innovation through his diverse slate of work, unique vision for cultural storytelling, commitment to fostering new voices, and his pursuit of innovative storytelling formats. 

Spada Emerging Producer Award (Principal Sponsor - Hinterland)   

RUNNER UP – JOYCE WONG 
 
Joyce Wong committed to being a screen producer in 2021 following a career in the tech sector where she raised 1.5 million in funding for startups. She has carried this experience into her approach as a producer - she asks her key creatives to define what they want to achieve and how a project will increase their skillsets, then applies an agile methodology to ensure the projects are continually developing and moving forward. 

The success of this model can be seen in her achievements to date, with a short film and scripted series pilot already released, she is currently in production with a short film and her funded scripted series ‘Camp Be Better’ released on TVNZ+ yesterday. She also has two more short films in pre-production, and an extensive development slate. 

Wong is focused on a sustainable screen business that enables her to elevate the people, stories, and projects she is passionate about, particularly Asian and female creatives and crew. She volunteers on the Board of Proudly Asian Theatre, contributes development feedback to writers through Auckland Table Reads, and provides pro bono business consulting. 

Wong has held key roles on local and international projects of scale, and her nominator says that “in an industry where Pan-Asian producers are still underrepresented, she brings a much-needed fresh voice and perspective.” 

The Emerging Producer Award Runner Up will receive business planning support from principal sponsor Hinterland, along with a 12-month Spada membership. 

2024 Spada Independent Producer of the Year (Sponsored by Gallagher Insurance) 

WINNER: ANGELA CUDD 
 
Celebrating and acknowledging the outstanding contribution an independent producer has made over the last year. 

The Gallagher Insurance team with this year's winner L-R: Oren Talbot, Sharlene McDonald, Summer So, 2024 Spada Independent Producer Award Winner Angela Cudd, Andrea Clout, Caroline Oakley
(C) Spada      Photographer: Marino Mariner

Despite stepping into the role of producer just five years ago, Angela Cudd has quickly become a force to be reckoned with. 

From producing the award-winning factual series WHEN BOB CAME, which shed light on Bob Marley’s historic concert in Aotearoa, to her first feature film UPROAR, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, and is rolling out internationally in 2024. 

Cudd’s work includes 'BRUTAL LIVES - MO'UI FAINGATA'A Season 2, a powerful Tongan horror series – currently on NEON and COCONET, as well as producing and directing AHI & THE STARS, a TVNZ anthology episode and two NZFC Catalyst Shorts. She has also been instrumental in developing new works, such as the premium series AUĒ, based on Becky Manawatu’s award-winning novel. 

Angela Cudd has not only has developed an impressive slate of projects, but she is committed to nurturing emerging talent and future proofing in the screen industry. From mentoring new filmmakers to providing opportunities for interns, Cudd is dedicated to the independent screen industry, elevating diverse voices and creating compelling, impactful stories.  

2024 SPADA / Data Book Industry Champion Award 

WINNER: ANDREW SHAW 

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

L-R: Kelly Lucas (Data Book), Minister Goldsmith, 2024 Spada/Data Book Industry Champion Andrew Shaw, Sandy Gildea (Spada)
(C) Spada      Photographer: Marino Mariner 

Andrew Shaw began his career in the 1970s as a teenaged kids TV show host. In the nearly 50 years since, he has worked as a television director and producer of just about every kind of show you could think of and worked his way up to senior and influential network executive roles. 

In 1996 Shaw became Head of Programming for both TVNZ channels. The following year the job expanded to include acquiring programmes from overseas. He was an unstoppable force.  

In 2001 Shaw left TVNZ to become Chief Operating Officer at South Pacific Pictures. One of his big achievements there was securing the deal that saw SPP produce a local version of the massive international hit American Idol. 

After SPP, Shaw worked as a Programming and Commissioning Executive at then fledging network Prime. When he left Prime and theoretically took some time off, it was hard to keep him away from broadcasting – he worked on MITRE 10 DREAM HOME and Phil Keoghan’s NO OPPORTUNITY WASTED as an EP; and helped Richard Driver to successfully launch Sky TV’s Documentary Channel. 

In 2007, Shaw returned to TVNZ as General Manager of Commissioning, Production and Acquisition. Later he became Deputy Director of Content, overseeing international acquisitions and co-productions. 

In 2010 Shaw made a return to the other side of the camera with FROM THE ARCHIVE: FIVE DECADES, a show on TVNZ Heartland. Each episode saw him interviewing a key figure from a particular decade of Kiwi television history, alongside classic footage from the time. 

Shaw left TVNZ in July 2020, shortly before being named as that year’s TV Legend at the NZ TV Awards. He then launched his own company Sophos Media Consulting and continued to support and guide productions and producers. 

Not only has Shaw had an outstanding career, but he is also a true champion for our industry and the people within it. His passion for New Zealand production. His dedication to it, and his affection and support for the people who work in this challenging but wonderful world is beyond compare. He continues to offer his kindness and wisdom to many in the screen industry. 

The staging of the 26th Annual Spada Screen Industry Awards is made possible with the generous support of its Sponsors: Screenrights, Hinterland, Gallagher Insurance, The Data Book, NZ On Screen and the NZ Film Commission.