Great Stories. Real Impact

Supreme Winner — Judges’ Choice

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.

Wellington UNESCO City of Film Emerging Filmmaker Award

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.

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.  

Te Herenga Waka Above & Beyond Student Award.

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. 

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. 

Wellington UNESCO City of Film Diversity in Film Award

‘Creating little wonders requires action’. EKTA NZ missions are to form unity, empowerment and connectedness across Aotearoa, New Zealand.

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. 

Empire Films Unfinished Story Award and WIFT Award / Female & Gender-Diverse Award

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.

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. 

Most Creative / Out of the Box — Joint Winner

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.

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.

Most Creative / Out of the Box — Joint Winner
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.

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. 

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.

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.

Judges’ Choice — Runner-UP and Rentals Technical Excellence Award

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.

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.