New Zealand Celebrates Double Triumph at BAFTAs with Wins in VFX and Costume Design- New Zealand talent has shone brightly on the international stage, claiming two major honours at the BAFTA Film Awards held at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Monday morning (NZ time).
Wellington-based visual effects powerhouse Wētā FX secured the award for Best Visual Effects for its groundbreaking work on Avatar: Fire and Ash. The win reinforces the studio’s long-standing reputation as one of the world’s leaders in cinematic innovation.
Representing the company at the ceremony were senior VFX supervisors Joe Letteri, Eric Saindon and Daniel Barrett, who travelled from Wellington to attend the event. In a joint statement following the announcement, the trio praised their team’s tireless efforts, describing the recognition as a tribute to the creativity and collaboration that brought the film’s expansive universe to life.
More than 1,200 artists contributed to the visual spectacle of Avatar: Fire and Ash, with the New Zealand studio responsible for the overwhelming majority of the film’s effects shots. From vast alien landscapes to intricately animated characters, nearly every frame bore the imprint of digital craftsmanship. Only a handful of seconds in the final cut reportedly did not feature visual effects work — a testament to the scale of the undertaking.
The victory adds to an already impressive awards legacy for the team. For Letteri, it marks his sixth BAFTA win, further cementing his status as one of the industry’s most decorated visual effects artists. Saindon and Barrett each collected their second BAFTA trophy. The trio were previously recognised for their contributions to Avatar: The Way of Water, while Letteri also earned accolades for his work on the original Avatar.
New Zealand’s success extended beyond the digital realm. Costume designer Kate Hawley claimed the BAFTA for Best Costume Design for her imaginative creations in Frankenstein. Hawley’s designs were praised for blending period influences with striking visual storytelling, helping shape the film’s distinctive atmosphere.
She triumphed over strong competition from films including Hamnet, Marty Supreme, Sinners and Wicked: For Good. The award represents Hawley’s second BAFTA nomination and continues a remarkable awards season for the former Massey University student, who is also in contention at the upcoming Academy Awards.
Her recent recognition extends beyond film circles. In December, Hawley was named the British Fashion Council’s inaugural Costume Designer of the Year, highlighting the growing crossover between cinematic costume design and the global fashion industry.
The ceremony itself was hosted by Alan Cumming, known to many viewers as the presenter of The Traitors. The evening celebrated a diverse slate of films and creative achievements across multiple categories.
Leading the nominations this year was One Battle After Another from director Paul Thomas Anderson, which entered the awards with 14 nods. Close behind was Sinners with 13 nominations. Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao, and Marty Supreme from Josh Safdie each secured 11 nominations, underscoring a competitive and varied awards field.
For New Zealand’s screen industry, the dual wins signal both technical mastery and artistic excellence. Wētā FX’s dominance in visual effects continues to position the country as a global hub for big-budget filmmaking, while Hawley’s triumph demonstrates the strength of Kiwi storytelling talent in every facet of production design.
As celebrations continue back home, the achievements serve as a reminder of New Zealand’s growing cultural footprint in international cinema — from digital innovation to handcrafted detail — and its ability to compete, and win, on the world’s biggest stages.
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