APPLICATIONS CLOSE 29 JUNE 2025

Applications are now open for the
Ngā Aho Shorts Development Lab

A collaboration between Ngā Aho Whakaari & Caravan Carpark Films

Overview

The Aho Shorts Development Lab is a talent-development initiative seeking to support the growth of Māori writers, directors & producers through practical participation in the development and packaging of short film projects.

Through mentorship and wānanga, selected participants in teams (writer, director, producer) will refine a short film script, vision and pitch package in order to prepare for funding opportunities.

We’re looking for creatives who demonstrate a readiness for creative leadership as a Writer, Producer and/or Director. We’re also looking for distinct, self-aware voices that reflect the richness of Māori perspectives and the depth of Aotearoa storytelling. This opportunity is open to filmmakers of all levels but applicants should be confident in their interest in pursuing these roles beyond the lab.

The Lab aims to:

  • Increase the number of production-ready Māori short films
  • Upskill Māori creatives with potential
  • Build a resilient and connected Māori filmmaking community

Applicants must:

The number of participants selected will be at the discretion of the selection panel.

  • Applications Open: Tuesday, 20 May at 9am NZST
  • Applications Close: Sunday, 29 June at 5pm NZST
  • Successful Applicants Notified By: Thursday 17 July
  • Initial Sessions: 1hr meeting between 18-20 July
  • In-Person Wānanga: 27–29 July & 23 August
  • Additional Commitments (completed in your own time):
    - Submit requested pre-wānanga materials by 24 July
    - Redrafting Scripts: 30 July-22 August
    - Redrafting Pitch Materials: 25 August-5 September

Applicants may apply as individuals or as part of a team (Writer, Director, Producer). Each person must submit an individual application.

To apply:

  • Complete the Cover Sheet via this [LINK]
  • And email the following to shorts@ngaahowhakaari.org with the subject line:
    Aho Shorts Development Lab Application – [Your Project Title]
    • The role-specific application materials listed below
    • CV including short bio, filmography, festivals your work has screened at and/or awards you've won
Writer Application Materials

Please send your Draft Script (a treatment may be accepted in some cases but your application will be stronger if at scripted phase) and one PDF (max 5 pages) that includes:

  • Project Title, Logline (max 2 sentences) & Short Synopsis (max 150 words)
  • Reo Māori Statement (max 150 words) – Does your film have reo Māori in it? What percentage? Also include a short summary of any key Māori elements, themes, or tikanga within the story. We aim to support a range of projects.
  • Writer’s Statement (max 300 words) – Why this story. And, why now?
  • Long-Term Goals (max 300 words) – How does this short film fit into your bigger vision?
Producer Application Materials

Please send one PDF (max 5 pages) that includes:

  • Producer Statement (max 300 words) – Your experience, approach, what type of stories you want to tell & what creatives you want to work with.
  • Reo Māori Statement (max 150 words) – Tell us about a time you worked on a project with Māori elements incl. reo, themes, or tikanga both within the story and in production.
  • Goals Statement (max 150 words) – What do you want to get out of this development lab?
  • Career Statement (max 150 words) – What are your long-term career goals?
  • A link to your previous work – If you don't have a completed work then provide a commentary on an aspect of your life that shares commonalities with producing and signals your readiness for this step.
Director Application Materials

Please send one PDF (max 5 pages) that includes:

  • Director Statement (max 300 words) – Outline your experience so far as a director and what type of stories you want to tell.
  • Director Creative Statement (max 300 words) – Statement on a director you admire incl. reference to the craft. Show an understanding of specific creative elements with examples from the director's work.
  • Reo Māori Statement (max 150 words) – Tell us about a time you worked on a project with Māori elements incl. reo, themes, or tikanga both within the story and in production.
  • Career Statement (max 150 words) – What are your long-term career goals?
  • A link to your previous work – If you don't have a completed work then provide a commentary on an aspect of your life that is creative and signals your readiness for this step incl. imagery.

All applications will be reviewed by a panel made up of representatives from Ngā Aho Whakaari, Caravan Carpark Films, New Zealand Film Commission and at least one independent assessor.

Shortlisted applicants may be contacted for additional information or a brief interview.

The successful teams will be invited to an exclusive development wānanga with industry mentors, to help prepare you for production. To engage our internationally recognised creatives, some of whom are based offshore, these wānanga may be facilitated online.

Ngā Aho Whakaari will facilitate these wānanga and act as Executive Producer to support your kaupapa.

Who Can Apply

Applicants must:

The number of participants selected will be at the discretion of the selection panel.

Key Dates

  • Applications Open: Tuesday, 20 May at 9am NZST
  • Applications Close: Sunday, 29 June at 5pm NZST
  • Successful Applicants Notified By: Thursday 17 July
  • Initial Sessions: 1hr meeting between 18–20 July
  • In-Person Wānanga: 27–29 July & 23 August
  • Additional Commitments (completed in your own time):
    ○ Submit requested pre-wānanga materials by 24 July
    ○ Redrafting Scripts: 30 July–22 August
    ○ Redrafting Pitch Materials: 25 August–5 September

How to Submit

Applicants may apply as individuals or as part of a team (Writer, Director, Producer). Each person must submit an individual application.

To apply:

  • Complete the Cover Sheet via this LINK
  • Email the following to shorts@ngaahowhakaari.org with subject line:
    Aho Shorts Development Lab Application – [Your Project Title]
    ○ The role-specific application materials listed below
    ○ CV incl. short bio, filmography, festivals your work has screened at and/or awards you've won.

Writer Application Materials

Please send your Draft Script (a treatment may be accepted in some cases but your application will be stronger if at scripted phase) and one PDF (max 5 pages) that includes:

  • Project Title, Logline (max 2 sentences) & Short Synopsis (max 150 words)
  • Reo Māori Statement (max 150 words) – Does your film have reo Māori in it? What percentage? Also include a short summary of any key Māori elements, themes, or tikanga within the story. We aim to support a range of projects.
  • Writer’s Statement (max 300 words) – Why this story. And, why now?
  • Long-Term Goals (max 300 words) – How does this short film fit into your bigger vision?

Producer Application Materials

Please send one PDF (max 5 pages) that includes:

  • Producer Statement (max 300 words) – Your experience, approach, what type of stories you want to tell & what creatives you want to work with.
  • Reo Māori Statement (max 150 words) – Tell us about a time you worked on a project with Māori elements incl. reo, themes, or tikanga both within the story and in production.
  • Goals Statement (max 150 words) – What do you want to get out of this development lab?
  • Career Statement (max 150 words) – What are your long-term career goals?
  • A link to your previous work – If you don't have a completed work then provide a commentary on an aspect of your life that shares commonalities with producing and signals your readiness for this step.

Director Application Materials

Please send one PDF (max 5 pages) that includes:

  • Director Statement (max 300 words) – Outline your experience so far as a director and what type of stories you want to tell.
  • Director Creative Statement (max 300 words) – Statement on a director you admire incl. reference to the craft. Show an understanding of specific creative elements with examples from the director's work.
  • Reo Māori Statement (max 150 words) – Tell us about a time you worked on a project with Māori elements incl. reo, themes, or tikanga both within the story and in production.
  • Career Statement (max 150 words) – What are your long-term career goals?
  • A link to your previous work – If you don't have a completed work then provide a commentary on an aspect of your life that is creative and signals your readiness for this step incl. imagery.

Selection Process

All applications will be reviewed by a panel made up of representatives from Ngā Aho Whakaari, Caravan Carpark Films, New Zealand Film Commission and at least one independent assessor.

Shortlisted applicants may be contacted for additional information or a brief interview.

Participant Benefits

Participants selected for the Aho Shorts Development Lab will receive:

  • Tailored talent development in short-film writing, directing, and/or producing with a focus on crafting and packaging projects for funding opportunities
  • Assistance (where applicable) to assemble a creative team of Writer, Producer and/or Director
  • Two wānanga led by experienced industry professionals
  • Creative guidance to refine your story into a production-ready short film script
  • Support to create a compelling, funder-ready pitch package
  • Opportunities to expand your professional network and strengthen your pathway to production
  • A travel contribution for out-of-town participants may be provided

On completion of the Lab, each participant will also receive a $1,500 NZD participation fee, paid as a taxable contribution in recognition of your time and commitment to the Lab. This fee is intended to tautoko your development during the programme.

Applicants Checklist

✔ Completed Cover Sheet
✔ Submit via email (as applicable): CV, Role-specific PDF/s and Script or Treatment
✔ Submit your application by email to:
📩 shorts@ngaahowhakaari.org
Subject line: Aho Shorts Development Lab Application – [Your Project Title]
Deadline: Sunday, 29 June at 5pm NZST

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Any changes to the deadline will be announced via Ngā Aho Whakaari and Caravan Carpark Films platforms.

Questions?

For more information or pātai (questions), get in touch:
📧 shorts@ngaahowhakaari.org
🌐 www.ngaahowhakaari.org | www.caravancarparkfilms.com

Terms & Conditions

Can be found at:
🌐 www.ngaahowhakaari.org | www.caravancarparkfilms.com

Read Terms & Conditions

How to Apply

You’ll need to be a member of Ngā Aho Whakaari to submit an application for Ngā Aho Shorts funding. Ngā Aho Whakaari members gain access to a range of incredible opportunities including funding, industry support and networking events.

Check the funding criteria above.

Join Ngā Aho Whakaari and the Māori Screen Directory.

We're building a Directory by Māori, for Māori. The Māori Screen Directory is proudly brought to you by Ngā Aho Whakaari and Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga New Zealand Film Commission. It's our way of empowering Māori professionals within the screen industry to access opportunities in a way that is mana enhancing and part of a collective.