Aho Shorts Development Lab 2026

The Aho Shorts Development Lab is a talent development initiative established by Ngā Aho Whakaari and designed and delivered in collaboration with Caravan Carpark Films. The wānanga-based programme supports Māori writers, directors and producers to develop and package short film projects through mentorship, practical learning and industry guidance. Focused on story, craft and project readiness, the Lab equips creative teams with the skills, materials and confidence to progress towards funding and production, while positioning the short film as a strategic pathway for capability building and long-form storytelling.

Building on the inaugural Lab held in 2025, this second iteration introduces a new Practical Craft Module. Eligible teams have the opportunity to plan, shoot and edit a short test scene, enabling participants to strengthen specific areas of practice, test creative ideas, refine collaboration and receive facilitated feedback within a supported environment before advancing their projects towards future funding opportunities.

Goals of the Lab

The programme provides participants with the opportunity to:

Develop and strengthen an original short film project within a collaborative creative team.
Refine scripts, creative vision and pitch materials through wānanga and one-on-one mentorship.
Receive guidance from experienced Māori and industry practitioners across writing, directing and producing.
Build practical skills in story development, collaboration and project packaging.
Explore the short film as a pathway for creative experimentation, capability building and long-form storytelling.
Participate in the Practical Craft Module, where eligible teams can plan, shoot and edit a short test scene to strengthen their practice and receive facilitated feedback.
Grow professional networks and become part of a wider community of Māori filmmakers.
Prepare projects and creative teams for future funding opportunities and production.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Be of Māori descent;
Be based in Aotearoa and be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident;
Be 18 years or older at the time of submission;
Be available to participate fully in all scheduled activities. See the Key Dates section below;
Be a member of Ngā Aho Whakaari: Māori in screen (if you’re not, it’s free. Join HERE).

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

What are we looking for?

We’re looking for creatives who fulfil one or more of the following Pou:

Demonstrate a readiness for creative leadership as a Writer, Producer and/or Director;
Have a distinct, self-aware voice that reflects the richness of Māori perspectives and the depth of Aotearoa storytelling;
Have a feature film in development, or a clear ambition to progress towards feature filmmaking. Applicants do not need to demonstrate an advanced project or accelerated timeline, but should be able to show that this is a realistic next step in their creative pathway;
Producers will ideally have at least one producer, co-producer, associate producer, line producer or production manager credit in any creative format, such as screen, theatre, podcasting or live events.

Applications will be considered individually, but the composition of the cohort as a whole will also be taken into account to ensure a range of stories, genres and creative perspectives.

This opportunity is open to filmmakers at all levels, but applicants should be committed to pursuing their nominated role or roles beyond the Lab.

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.
Where applicable, the opportunity to connect with other creatives in the Lab to assemble a team of Writer, Producer and/or Director.
Two wānanga led by experienced industry professionals.
Creative guidance to strengthen your story and progress your short-film script towards production readiness.
Support to develop and strengthen your pitch materials for future funding opportunities.
As part of the Practical Craft Module, eligible participants or teams may have the opportunity to plan, shoot and edit a short test scene focused on an agreed area of practice. The scope, format, resources and participation requirements will be determined by the Lab organisers and may vary according to the participant’s role, team composition, project and available resources. This would not be a full short film shoot, but a contained test of one key element - for example, working with cast for the first time, exploring a visual approach, or testing how a scene translates from script to screen. The practical component is intended to strengthen collaboration between writer, director and producer, while giving participants a clearer understanding of their current strengths, areas for development and readiness for future short film funding opportunities.
Opportunities to expand your professional network and strengthen your pathway to production.
A travel contribution for out-of-town participants may be provided.

Participants who satisfactorily complete the Lab requirements will receive a participation fee of NZ$1,500, subject to any tax or withholding obligations applying by law and payable upon receipt of a valid invoice or other documentation reasonably required by the Lab organisers. This contribution is in recognition of your time and commitment to the Lab.

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
And email the following to shorts@ngaahowhakaari.org with subject line: Aho Shorts Development Lab 2026 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.

What should your Proposal include?

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 500 words) – How does this short film fit into your bigger vision?
A link to your previous work – If you don't have a completed work then provide a one-page mood board for your script telling us the key themes and greater messaging that underlines your script.

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. How did you approach it? What were the outcomes?
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 one-page mood board of the type of stories you want to tell and a 1-2 paragraph 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 two page mood-board of the type of films you want to make and 1-2 paragraphs on an aspect of your life that is creative and signals your readiness for this step.

Selection Process

All applications will be reviewed by a panel made up of representatives from Ngā Aho Whakaari, Caravan Carpark Films, together with independent and/or industry assessors.

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