Kōpere Ake - 2023
Judges Panel
Alexandria Love is a stand-up comedian, writer, and actor from Oakland, California, currently based in NYC. She's written for The Tonight Show, and her essays are featured in the new She Series book by Karen Hallion. She's known for her witty yet self-effacing takes on life and has charmed audiences all over the United States.
Alexandria Love is a stand-up comedian, writer, and actor from Oakland, California, currently based in NYC. She's written for The Tonight Show, and her essays are featured in the new She Series book by Karen Hallion. She's known for her witty yet self-effacing takes on life and has charmed audiences all over the United States.
Cher Zimmerer is a professional creative and story creator with an MA in literature.She has worked for a German film funding company, a local broadcaster, NBCUniversal and the last six years with Constantin Film, where she was responsible for the development of TV and streaming projects. She worked on high-end series like PERFUME, WE CHILDREN FROM BAHNHOF ZOO, RESIDENTEVIL, SMILLA`S SENSE OF SNOW and THOSE ABOUT TO DIE among many others.
Cher Zimmerer is a professional creative and story creator with an MA in literature.She has worked for a German film funding company, a local broadcaster, NBCUniversal and the last six years with Constantin Film, where she was responsible for the development of TV and streaming projects. She worked on high-end series like PERFUME, WE CHILDREN FROM BAHNHOF ZOO, RESIDENTEVIL, SMILLA`S SENSE OF SNOW and THOSE ABOUT TO DIE among many others.
Chair of the Writers' Guild of Ireland since 2020, Jennifer writes for Ireland’s national soap opera, Fair City, having been a core member of the writing team since 2012. A fierce advocate for Irish writers, through her work with the Writers Guild, she has originated and run a wide number of training and development initiatives for new writers. In 2022 she set up her own writer-led production company, HeartFelt Drama.
Chair of the Writers' Guild of Ireland since 2020, Jennifer writes for Ireland’s national soap opera, Fair City, having been a core member of the writing team since 2012. A fierce advocate for Irish writers, through her work with the Writers Guild, she has originated and run a wide number of training and development initiatives for new writers. In 2022 she set up her own writer-led production company, HeartFelt Drama.
Kathryn is an award-winning screenwriter & playwright and script consultant. She won Best Script Drama at the 2021 NZTV Awards (with Riwia Brown) for "The Tender Trap" and was recently shortlisted for the 2022 NZ Adam Play Award. Kathryn has significant television credits - most recently “The Brokenwood Mysteries”, “Under The Vines”, Script Editor on TVNZ limited series "Black Hands", “Fresh Eggs”, and “The Cul de Sac.” She is currently on the writing team for Series 3 "My Life is Murder" and Series 2 "Bird's Eye View".
Kathryn is an award-winning screenwriter & playwright and script consultant. She won Best Script Drama at the 2021 NZTV Awards (with Riwia Brown) for "The Tender Trap" and was recently shortlisted for the 2022 NZ Adam Play Award. Kathryn has significant television credits - most recently “The Brokenwood Mysteries”, “Under The Vines”, Script Editor on TVNZ limited series "Black Hands", “Fresh Eggs”, and “The Cul de Sac.” She is currently on the writing team for Series 3 "My Life is Murder" and Series 2 "Bird's Eye View".
Rachel is an award-winning television writer, creator, showrunner and executive producer. She is best known for long running series Outrageous Fortune, Go Girls, Nothing Trivial and The Almighty Johnsons. Her career as a writer started on Shortland Street, where she was the first NZ story editor. Rachel has also worked in development and as a script editor, script consultant and mentor. She’s been a member of NZWG for many years and joined the board to help promote the interests of NZ screenwriters. In 2017, Rachel was made a member of the order of NZ for her services to television.
Rachel is an award-winning television writer, creator, showrunner and executive producer. She is best known for long running series Outrageous Fortune, Go Girls, Nothing Trivial and The Almighty Johnsons. Her career as a writer started on Shortland Street, where she was the first NZ story editor. Rachel has also worked in development and as a script editor, script consultant and mentor. She’s been a member of NZWG for many years and joined the board to help promote the interests of NZ screenwriters. In 2017, Rachel was made a member of the order of NZ for her services to television.
Kōpere Ake Results Announcement Date:
May 5, 2023
Grant Recipients
Featuring two songs per episode, musical tragicomedy FAT HOT MESS follows gruff, overly sensitive 41yo Martin as he struggles to rebuild his confidence when a cataclysmic breakup leaves him living back home with his mother, severely allergic to everything digital, fat - and still gay. Undermining him at every turn is Martin’s inner thought track come inexplicably to wise-cracking life: a stuffed, emotional support toy called WAYNE.
Featuring two songs per episode, musical tragicomedy FAT HOT MESS follows gruff, overly sensitive 41yo Martin as he struggles to rebuild his confidence when a cataclysmic breakup leaves him living back home with his mother, severely allergic to everything digital, fat - and still gay. Undermining him at every turn is Martin’s inner thought track come inexplicably to wise-cracking life: a stuffed, emotional support toy called WAYNE.
When a young Māori man, Tai, is thrown into solitary, blood mingles with dirt, and he is swept back into a heart-stirring time when Māori fought for their very survival against the British colonial forces. Living between the past and the present, Tai must reclaim his mana (power) or perish in a twenty-first-century prison.
When a young Māori man, Tai, is thrown into solitary, blood mingles with dirt, and he is swept back into a heart-stirring time when Māori fought for their very survival against the British colonial forces. Living between the past and the present, Tai must reclaim his mana (power) or perish in a twenty-first-century prison.
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