Filmmakers to Watch: Day One Challenge 2026 - Round 1

Ten teams. Ten films. And a shared, stubborn belief that making stuff matters.

The Day One Challenge shortlist for Round One is out, and we wanted to go deeper. We asked the people behind the films about their origins, their doubts, their process, and what they'd tell anyone sitting on an unmade idea. Here's what they said.

They didn't exactly plan this

Most of these filmmakers didn't arrive at film with a five-year plan. They got there sideways.

Judy Zhang (she/her, 22, Auckland) traces hers back to childhood afternoons spent alone with a paint set, scraps of paper, a ukulele, and "a free video editing app on a laggy tablet." At some point those separate obsessions converged into something she couldn't stop doing. "Once you stumble across a way to reimagine reality and express yourself beyond the scope of everyday language, it's hard not to keep exploring."

Jude Caudeville (he/him, 17, Auckland) started even younger, making stop motion films on his mum's phone with LEGO and playdough. He moved through dance and music before circling back to film. What kept pulling him in? "It encapsulates my pure emotional expression. I am only limited by the borders of the frame."

Ella Mihaljevich (she/her, 22, Auckland) found it through university, working as a cinematographer and sound operator on short film projects. "I realised how passionate I truly felt about those areas of film production." And Maria Franchescina (she/her, 26, Wellington) came at it from the other side of the camera entirely, through acting. Working in both roles, she says, gave her something most directors have to work to develop: "A deeper understanding for collaborative filmmaking."

Brooke Darrow (she/her, 22, Auckland/London) sums up what connects all of them: "For me, it's about more than just capturing images. It's about shaping how a story feels. I'm especially interested in telling stories that might not otherwise be given the space or opportunity to be seen."

When it gets hard

Shoot days run long, budgets run out and morale has a habit of evaporating. We asked the group how they handle it.

Ella's crew hit a wall during a big party scene with 20-plus people in her kitchen and living room. "We took a big food break. I put on some music to boost everyone's mood and let them recharge." Matthew Viljoen (he/him, 22, Wellington) goes even simpler: "Take a breather. Go outside. Get some fresh air in your lungs." Unique Florence Viernes (she/her, 21, Auckland) celebrates the small wins, genuinely. Getting the shot on the first take. Wrapping early. "Film is such a collaborative effort, so by recognising everyone's efforts, it reminds people that their efforts matter."

For Z Langit (he/they, 24, Auckland), it takes a longer view:"Everything is temporary and life is not supposed to be linear. It's supposed to be messy, challenging, and most often, you are going to find yourself two steps back before going forward. There's always something to learn, and these challenging moments will make for a great film down the line." That last line is worth sitting with. It's not just comfort - it's a genuine way of processing hard experiences, storing them somewhere useful.

On confidence (and who actually has it)

The honest answer from this group is that nobody started with confidence.

Maria would finish making something and then barely share it. "The process of creating something is very fulfilling and I fail to share the final product as much." Day One changed that: "I feel a different sense of ownership, and at the same time freedom to let our film take its own life."

Z puts the theory plainly: "Confidence is not just something you have. It's built. You build it by just making stuff, whether it's your best work or not. Not only do you learn about the craft of filmmaking each time, but you also learn a lot about yourself as a filmmaker."

Judy found that having a real audience shifted something: "Participating in Day One has made my filmmaking practice feel more concrete. I'm also reminded that people are taking time from their day to watch my film."

And Olive Cato (she/her, 21, Auckland) names what the programme specifically does well: "Day One's approach, making any filmmaker feel included no matter their skillset, is incredibly helpful. It's a total cure to the imposter syndrome that holds a lot of people back."

What they're actually making work from

Ask a filmmaker what inspires them and you find out what they're really about.

JJ Farry (he/him, 22, Auckland) doesn't hedge: "I build worlds from the emotions, beliefs, and values I share with the people around me. If it's not personal to me, it's not worth making." Jude is after something similar, but frames it as instinct rather than intention: "For me, a story is most importantly a feeling. My aim is to follow my gut and work instinctively to showcase the narrative authentically."

Judy has developed a specific habit to stay close to her material. She pays attention to the ideas that surface at random throughout the day and writes them down before they disappear. "Small feelings, mundane observations, and even hot takes. Don't let them become nothing." Matthew compresses the whole creative process into seven words: "Make it exist, then make it good."

Z's approach is arguably counterintuitive. To figure out what they want to make, they deliberately watch work they don't connect with. "Most of the time, I'll find something I don't like, and reflecting on this is easier than understanding what I like." It's a good method. Negative space as creative compass.

What to do if you want to start

This question got some of the most direct answers.

Jude: "I started with just filming things outside. A plastic bag floating in the wind, a seagull going for a swim. No overthinking, just going out there and getting hands on with my camera. From there, ideas will appear."

JJ: "There are no rules to filmmaking. The only person you need to impress with your first film is yourself. Once you prove to yourself you can do it, you can't stop."

Olive: "Start. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. That's creation you'll never not be proud of."

Brooke: "You already have everything you need to begin. Most of us carry a camera in our pocket every day. Connect with people online, go to events, immerse yourself in the creative community. Opportunities often come from simply being involved and showing up."

Unique: "There's no perfect moment. Try all the different roles, see what you like and what you don't. There are so many opportunities out there. Just go out and experiment."

Follow Day One on Instagram for the full filmmaker spotlight series. The Round One shortlisted films are available to watch now.