12/08/2026
MEET OUR JUDGES
BOPAS and RĀTĀ Studios are incredibly proud to introduce the extraordinary group of industry professionals judging our 2026 Film Challenge.
And what a line-up.
Between them, our judges represent an incredible calibre of experience across acting, directing, casting, editing, music, filmmaking and storytelling — and we are enormously grateful that they are giving their time and expertise to our students.
At the heart of both BOPAS and RĀTĀ is a genuine love for our students and for training the next generation of New Zealand actors.
Because this is a competitive industry. Talent matters, but so does resilience, collaboration, curiosity, generosity and learning how to find your people.
Your pack.
The people you create with. The people who challenge you. The people who celebrate when you nail it and help you get back up when you don’t.
That’s what this Film Challenge is really about.
Our students aren’t competing against one another. They’re learning how to make each other better. They’re writing, acting, directing, filming, editing, problem-solving and discovering just how much work — and how many people — it takes to tell a great story.
And then they get to put that work in front of some of the very people already shaping our screen industry.
To our judges: thank you for supporting emerging talent and saying yes to being part of this.
And to our BOPAS and RĀTĀ actors — this is your chance to be brave, take risks, back each other and make something you’re proud of.
We cannot wait to see what you create.
BOPAS × RĀTĀ Studios
FILM CHALLENGE 2026
