The NZCS Awards won't be running in 2026. Instead, we're taking the year to pause, reset, and bring the Awards back stronger in 2027.

We know this is a big call. The Awards are one of the highlights of our industry calendar, a night to celebrate the craft and the people behind it. That's exactly why we've made this decision carefully, and why we think it's the right one.

Why we're doing this

The screen industry is under real financial pressure right now, and that pressure is felt by everyone who supports our events, not just NZCS. Rather than run an Awards night that's a shadow of what it should be, we'd rather step back, take stock, and come back in 2027 with something better.

This isn't a decision we've made lightly, and it isn't a decision that means the Awards are going anywhere. Quite the opposite. We see this as an investment in the future of the event.

What our sponsors are saying

We reached out to our sponsors early to talk this through, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Across the board, sponsors told us they understood the reasoning, appreciated being kept in the loop, and are already looking ahead to 2027. Several told us they're using the break to plan an even bigger presence next time round. That kind of support tells us we're on the right track.

What happens now

We're using 2026 to properly review the Awards, from the format and the judging process through to the night itself, and to make sure that when we come back, it's worth the wait.

And this is where we want to hear from you. You're the reason the Awards exist. If there's something about the current format that hasn't quite worked, something you've wished was different, or an idea for how we could make the night even better, we want to know. Drop us a line and tell us what you think. Your feedback will directly shape what 2027 looks like.

We're proud of what the NZCS Awards have built over the years, and we're excited about what a refreshed version can be. Thanks for your patience, and thanks for being part of this industry with us.

See you in 2027.