The 2003 New Zealand Film Awards were held on 8 December 2003 in Auckland. After there had been no New Zealand film awards in 2002, previous organiser the New Zealand Academy of Film and Television Arts had originally announced its intention to again host a film awards for 2003, but later withdrew, claiming insufficient sponsorship to stage the awards. However, a group from the film industry, led by the New Zealand Film Commission and government agency New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, raised enough sponsorship to host the awards.
Feature film Whale Rider dominated the awards with nine wins, and short film Two Cars, One Night won three of the four short film prizes.
Nominees and Winners
There were 16 feature film categories, five digital feature categories and four short film categories. This was the first time that digital film was acknowledged in a New Zealand film award.
Best Film
Whale RiderKombi NationNemesis GameBest Director
Niki Caro, Whale RiderGrant Lahood, Kombi NationJesse Warn, Nemesis GameBest Actor
Waihoroi Shortland, The Maori Merchant of VeniceJason Whyte, Kombi NationRawiri Paratene, Whale RiderBest Actress
Keisha Castle-Hughes, Whale RiderMichelle Langstone, For GoodKate Elliott, Toy LoveBest Supporting Actor
Cliff Curtis, Whale RiderTe Rangihau Gilbert, The Maori Merchant of VeniceGrant Roa, Whale RiderBest Supporting Actress
Vicky Haughton, Whale RiderMiranda Harcourt, For GoodVeeshayne Armstrong, The Maori Merchant of VeniceBest Juvenile Performer
Mana Taumanu, Whale RiderAnneke-Lee Gough, For GoodBest Screenplay
Niki Caro, Whale RiderGrant Lahood, Jason Whyte, Loren Horsley, Gentianne Lupi, Genevieve McClean, Kombi NationJesse Warn, Nemesis GameBest Cinematography
Aaron Morton, Nemesis GameDavorin Fahn, The Maori Merchant of VeniceLeon Narbey, Whale RiderBest Editing
Bruce Lange, Nemesis GameMargot Francis, Toy LoveDavid Coulson, Whale RiderBest Original Score
Lisa Gerrard, Whale RiderClive Cockburn and Hirini Melbourne, The Maori Merchant of VeniceVictoria Kelly and Joost Langeveld, Toy LoveBest Contribution to a Soundtrack
Tim Prebble, Dave Whitehead, Gethin Greagh, The LocalsFrank Ilfman, Nemesis GameTim Prebble, Toy LoveBest Design
Peter Cosco, Nemesis GameGuy Moana, The Maori Merchant of VeniceGrant Major, Whale RiderBest Costume Design
Kirsty Cameron, Whale RiderGavin McClean, The Maori Merchant of VeniceShelley Mansell, Nemesis GameBest Makeup
Barbara Barkey, Nemesis GameAnnie Single, The Maori Merchant of VeniceDenise Kum, Whale RiderLifetime Achievement Award
Don SelwynBest Digital Feature
Christmas, Leanne Saunders and Gregory KingOrphans and Angels, Harold BrodieWoodenhead, Florian HabichtBest Performance
Darien Takle, ChristmasEmmeline Hawthorne, Orphans and AngelsStephen Lovatt, This Is Not A Love StoryBest Script
Gregory King, ChristmasHarold Brodie, Orphans and AngelsKeith Hill, This Is Not A Love StoryBest Technical Contribution
Caroline Falgan, Art Director, ChristmasIan Beale, Cinematography, Orphans and AngelsChristopher Pryor, Director of Photography and co-editor, WoodenheadSpecial Jury Prize
Christopher Brown for his role in Orphans and AngelsBest Short Film
Beautiful, Adam StevensThe French Doors, Steve AysonTwo Cars, One Night, Taika WaititiBest Performance
Rangi Ngamoki, Two Cars, One NightPeter Feeney, The PlatformJason Hoyte, BeautifulBest Script
Taika Waititi, Two Cars, One NightDaniel Strand, Playing A RoleWiremu Grace, TurangawaewaeBest Technical Contribution
Adam Clarke, Cinematography, Two Cars, One NightMichael Lucas, Digital Visual Effects, KittyDave Whitehead, Music Composition, The Platform