Wellington filmmaking team Traces of Nut has won the supreme award at Volunteer Wellington’s 2026 Community Film Challenge for a short film made for Radiant Hope Community Trust.
The winners were announced at the Embassy Theatre on 2 October, following a public screening of films created by local filmmakers for Wellington charities and community organisations.
The challenge brought together professional filmmakers, students and volunteers to produce short films that participating charities can use to promote their services, attract supporters and tell their stories.
Traces of Nut received the Supreme Winner: Judges’ Choice award for its work with Radiant Hope Community Trust, which provides food assistance, employment support and household essentials to people in need.
Filmmaking team Couch Kumara was named runner-up in the Judges’ Choice category for its film Livvy’s Story, made for New Zealand Riding for the Disabled. The team also received the Rocket Rentals Technical Excellence Award for another film, Behind Every Ride, produced for the same organisation.
The Most Creative / Out of the Box award was shared by two teams: Fairlie Professional, which created a film for Walk Wellington, and Copper Bus Productions, which worked with Dress for Success Wellington.
Dress for Success helps people develop the skills and confidence needed to enter or return to employment. Its services include interview preparation, career coaching, mentoring and work experience opportunities.
Team Wildflowers received the Empire Films Unfinished Story Award for its work with Newtown Community Centre. Michelle Cameron, working with the same team, also received the WIFT Female & Gender-Diverse Award.
The Wellington UNESCO City of Film Diversity in Film Award went to Young Joys for a film made for EKTA, an organisation supporting community connection and empowerment.
Reel You In received the Wellington UNESCO City of Film Emerging Filmmaker Award for its film with Barnardos Aotearoa, with the award presented to Finn Grieve and Jess Roulston.
Samuel James, working with Team Billie on a film for Cycling Action Network, received the Te Herenga Waka Above & Beyond Student Award.
The Portsmouth Award for Best Storytelling went to Butterfly Effect for its film featuring Wellington Women’s House, which provides safe and affordable accommodation for women rebuilding their lives.
The Community Film Challenge was organised as part of Volunteer Wellington’s activities marking the United Nations’ International Year of the Volunteer.
Participating filmmakers were matched with local charities on 11 September, giving teams time to develop their ideas before filming on 18 September and completing post-production the following day.
The completed films were submitted on 20 September, ahead of the awards screening at the Embassy Theatre.
The project was designed to give charities access to professional filmmaking skills while creating opportunities for students and emerging filmmakers to gain practical experience.
All the completed films, including the award-winning entries, are available to watch on Volunteer Wellington’s Community Film Challenge website.
