Great Stories. Real Impact
Community Film Challenge 2026
Community Film Challenge pairs Wellington's talented filmmakers with local charities for one short window of filmmaking, turning real skill into real impact for the causes that need it most.
About the film challenge
This gallery is the digital home of the 2026 Community Film Challenge. Here, you can watch all the films created as part of the challenge and discover our award winners.
A huge thank you to everyone who took part, and to all the sponsors and supporters who made it possible.
Judges’ Choice
Supreme Winner: Judges’ Choice
Traces of Nut for Radiant Hope Community Trust
Film Makers
Traces of Nut
Charity
Radiant Hope Community Trust
Student Runners
Jess Roulston, Finn Grieve
Runner Up: Judges’ Choice
Couch Kumara for NZ Riding for the Disabled
Film Makers
Couch Kumara
Charity
NZ Riding for the Disabled
Student Runners
Lucas Cantlon
Awards
Rocket Rentals Technical Excellence Award
Film Makers
Couch Kumara
Charity
New Zealand Riding for the Disabled
Student Runners
Lucas Cantlon
Empire Films Unfinished Story Award
Film Makers
Wildflowers
Charity
Te Whare Hapori,
Newtown Community Centre
Student Runners
Abby Robinson, Amber (Cong) Chen
Most Creative / Out of the Box — Joint Winner
Film Makers
Copper Bus Productions
Charity
Dress for Success
Student Runners
Bridie Gilbert, Meg Wheatley
Most Creative / Out of the Box — Joint Winner
Film Makers
Fairlie Professional
Charity
Walk Wellington
Student Runners
Fairlie Professional: Grace Craig, Hunter Wilson
Copper Bus Productions: Bridie Gilbert, Meg Wheatley
WIFT Award / Female & Gender-Diverse Award
Film Makers
Michelle Cameron with Team Wildflowers
Charity
Te Whare Hapori,
Newtown Community Centre
Student Runners
Abby Robinson, Amber (Cong) Chen
Wellington UNESCO City of Film Diversity in Film Award
Film Makers
Young Joys
Charity
EKTA
Te Herenga Waka Above & Beyond Student Award
Film Makers
Samuel James with Team Billie
Charity
Cycling Action Network
Student Runners
Samuel James, Simon Ulm
Wellington UNESCO City of Film Emerging Filmmaker Award
Film Makers
Reel You In, with the award presented to Finn Grieve & Jess Roulston
Charity
Barnardos Aotearoa
Student Runners
Finn Grieve & Jess Roulston
Portsmouth Award for Best Storytelling
Film Makers
Butterfly Effect
Charity
Wellington Women’s House
Student Runners
Sophia Zhou
All Films
'Century of Stories' by Haast Pictures
Age Concern
Life is just life, it’s what you make it”, so is ageing. Whether you’re a car fanatic, or want to curl up with an Agatha Christie novel, Age Concern helps older people live their best lives.
Through accessible programmes, events, and services, Age Concern brings people together to foster meaningful connections, promote wellness, and support older people to live fulfilling lives.
Reel You In
Barnardos Aotearoa
The decisions we make now will shape their lives tomorrow. Children don’t grow up in election cycles. If we want to build a better future for our tamariki and rangatahi, we need a different way of thinking.
Kettle of Fish
Bellyful
Bellyful is a volunteer-led charity nourishing whānau and connecting communities by delivering free meals to families with babies and young children who are without a support network. This support is for families without a support network.
Welly Nilly
Changemakers Resettlement Forum
Change Makers Resettlement Forum (CRF) works towards the vision of New Zealanders from refugee backgrounds participating fully in life in Aotearoa New Zealand, through advocacy, research and community development activities.
'2 Wheels' by Billie
Cycling Action Network
Cycling Action Network and filmmaker Billie take you on a journey on ‘two wheels’ along the Te Whanganui a Tara coastline and around the city, to take in the joy, views, and fun with friends and whānau.
Copper Bus Productions
Dress For Success
Dress for Success provides services to people in the Wellington region to build the skills and confidence they need to reach their aspirations in work and life.
Young Joys
EKTA
‘Creating little wonders requires action’. EKTA NZ missions are to form unity, empowerment and connectedness across Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Greta Gerwig & Co
Endo Warriors Aotearoa
You are not alone, warrior. People who suffer from endometriosis often suffer alone with little support, Endo Warriors Aotearoa advocates and supports people living with endometriosis and spreads their stories and creates life-changing support for people who suffer from this disease.
RealGoodStories
HUHA
First let's meet Kobe and Rodney, two three-year-old furry fellas currently living with Feline Immunodeficiency Disease. They need a loving home that can provide these happy and affectionate boys the indoor sanctuary that they require.
Lastly meet Malibu and Tenessee two bully-mixed siblings that have been rescued. Many other dogs like them come into HUHAs care until their forever homes can be found.
Wildflowers
Newtown Community Centre
Newtown Community Centre is a vibrant community hub in the centre of Newtown. Want to hire a venue? Get involved in your community? Join a class? They can help you out.
Couch Kumara
New Zealand Riding for the Disabled
Couch Kumara created two films for NZ Riding for the Disabled, with “Behind Every Ride” receiving the Rocket Rentals Technical Excellence Award and “Livvy’s Story” being named Runner Up: Judges’ Choice at the 2026 Community Film Challenge.
Traces of Nut
Radiant Hope Community Trust
Radiant Hope Community Trust provides practical support through kai (food) for those struggling to feed their whānau, practical employment support to prepare you for getting the right job and even provide basic homeware for those who need it.
Donate by Artists for Peace
Society of St Vincent De Paul (Vinnies Wellington)
St Vincent de Paul, or Vinnies as they are affectionately known, has a long and proud history of helping people in need in New Zealand. With the support of the community, the team at Vinnies Wellington aims to tackle poverty and inequality by providing practical assistance and caring support.
Team Sweden
The Circus Hub
The home of Wellingtons circus scene, The Circus Hub is a creative space for everybody and every person, where they can learn a wide range of circus skills in an inclusive and welcoming space to have fun and move around.
Morph Cut Society
The Road Forward
The Road Forward Te Ara Whai Ora o Te Tangata Ki Mua, ‘Suffering in silence isn't strength, it's just silence’.
The Road Forward provides free confidential peer support for male survivors of sexual harm. You don’t need to carry this alone.
Fairlie Professional
Walk Wellington
Every city has a story to tell. Walk Wellington’s team of experienced guides love to tell Wellington’s story through its rich local history, attractions, architecture, and natural environment.
The Full Eight
Wellbeing Economy Alliance
Meet Dave, Dave is our economy, he’s a good guy... but can do with a few updates.
WE All Aotearoa is a non-partisan and independent ‘think and do’ tank with a mission to redesign Aotearoa New Zealand’s economy around the wellbeing of our people and te taiao.
Kanvas
Wellington Access Radio
Wellington Access Radio shares stories that are By, For and About our Wellington community.
Meet some of the teams behind shows including Cigarettes Will Kill You, Tu Ma Tilotilo, and Aakashwani Bharat Bhavan, and discover how they use Access Radio to connect with others and their communities.
Butterfly Effect
Wellington Women's House
This video explores touching testimonials from residents at Wellington Women's House. Wellington Women's House provides safe, affordable, and supportive housing for women who are rebuilding, transitioning, or seeking stability.
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