The New Zealand Film Awards — aka The Moas — have risen once again from near extinction to celebrate the very finest in New Zealand cinema. Last year 400 members and supporters of the film industry witnessed the rebirth of the Film Awards in a night full of celebration and irreverence - with a dash of reverence to appease the funding bodies and sponsors.

The New Zealand Film Awards — aka The Moas — have risen once again from near extinction to celebrate the very finest in New Zealand cinema. Last year 400 members and supporters of the film industry witnessed the rebirth of the Film Awards in a night full of celebration and irreverence - with a dash of reverence to appease the funding bodies and sponsors.

Critically acclaimed film The Orator was the big winner on the night taking home eight Moas from its eleven nominations, receiving the Best Picture award from industry veterans Roger Donaldson and Lee Tamahori.

Before he left the stage Donaldson added, “They should do the Oscars like this.”

This year the Awards are very proud to announce Rialto Channel as the Official Naming-Rights Sponsor. They felt that there was no better way to support our industry than to put your subscription money where our mouth was.

Roger Wyllie, General Manager of Rialto Channel says “All of us here at Rialto Channel are excited to again be part of the NZ film industry’s night of nights, especially as ‘naming-rights sponsor’. As a passionate supporter of everything to do with New Zealand film, we also look forward to exclusively hosting the NZ Television Premiere of this important annual event!”

The Rialto Channel New Zealand Film Awards are again being put together by Ant ‘It’s comp'd up the wazoo, mate’ Timpson and Hugh ‘It's all entertainment expenses, man’ Sundae with the backing of the New Zealand Film Commission and many others who wish to recognise what has been achieved in New Zealand Film in the past year.

“It’s been another great 12 months for New Zealand films with both NZFC financed and independent films earning international awards, festival appearances and critical acclaim. We are all set for take-two of the hotly contested Moas celebrating the country’s vast filmmaking talent,” says NZFC Chief Executive Graeme Mason.

A new award has been created for 2013 - NZOnAir Best Television Feature or Drama Series - to acknowledge an industry that for whatever reason has been left without an awards ceremony of its own.

“We are very pleased to see local television features and series will berecognised at the Rialto Channel New Zealand Film Awards, as there is so much great content being made in New Zealand. The standard of local programme making is very high, and definitely needs to celebrated,” said Jane Wrightson, CEO of NZ On Air.

Submissions for this year’s Rialto Channel New Zealand Film Awards are now open and close October 18.

Media Release: NZ Film Awards