The Vista Foundation 48Hours 2025 was another epic challenge. 545 teams registered for the competition, culminating in 469 eligible films submitted across the country, showcasing the incredible talent of filmmakers from every corner of Aotearoa.
After another whirlwind weekend of creativity, chaos, and cinematic brilliance, the winners of the 2025 Vista Foundation 48Hours National Awards have been announced! This year’s competition saw thousands of filmmakers from across Aotearoa take on the challenge of writing, shooting, and editing a short film in just 48 hours. The results were nothing short of spectacular—showcasing the incredible talent, diversity, and storytelling power of filmmakers across the motu.
In 2025, we had 545 teams register for the competition and 469 eligible films submitted. Nationwide there were 178 School teams and 81 Tertiary Teams involved, with 41 teams giving the solo/duo a go! The energy and dedication across the country, especially with the combining of smaller areas into one mega region—Across Aotearoa—was inspiring. This gave teams an opportunity to compete in a larger pool of competitors, comparable to the Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch Regions.
There were 48 online and in-person heats screenings across the country, culminating in the Grand Final at the Embassy in Wellington. These were inspiring events with the energy and support of the participants, and the crowd, for all the finalists making them all fun nights.
A big shout out to all the sponsors and supporters of the VF48 hour event, and the 51 judges who dedicated their time and industry experience to the competition. The 2025 National Judging Panel featured an extraordinary lineup of filmmakers, actors, and producers from New Zealand and around the world, including: Sir Peter Jackson, Dame Gaylene Preston, Elijah Wood, Mette-Marie Kongsved, Tim White, Jess Hong, Jasmin McSweeney, Dean Hewison, Sophie Cherry, Nikki Si’ulepa, Peter Salmon, Morgana O’Reilly, and Kathryn Graham.
Special thanks to Sir Peter Jackson for his continued input to the judging, including selecting his popular wildcard entries. The films that made the finals were of an awesome standard and we congratulate everyone that submitted a film, but special mention to all the finalists and winners, and of course to the supreme winning team Positive Barry, with their film 'Grounded'—a duo team of Chris Callus and Adam Reynolds from Wellington.
Watch Grounded by Positive Barry
A young ladybird learning to fly discovers that sometimes in life you need a helping hand... or eight.
In a rare outcome, the National Grand Runner-Up title was awarded as a tie this year, with both Maybe Daddy by Jovial Entertainment from Auckland, and Spoiler Alert by Rabid Aunty Jean from Christchurch, earning equal acclaim from the judging panel.
Watch Spoiler Alert by Rabid Aunty Jean
An avid reader's fun is spoiled by a stranger passing by, causing a revenge plan to ensue.
Watch Maybe Daddy by Jovial Entertainment
At a raucous speed dating event, a single mother is blindsided by the reappearance of an old flame whose wild assumptions spiral into chaos, and his inability to let go forces her into a frantic bid to escape.
To see the great 2025 films and films from past years visit the screening room, choose films to watch and enjoy here.
To see all the winners go to the 2025 Winners Page.
See our full coverage here