BBC Acquires Local Sitcom ‘Homebound 3.0’

Local comedy series Homebound 3.0, co-directed by DEGANZ member Hweiling Ow and starring fellow member Michelle Ang, has been picked up by the UK’s BBC for global sales and distribution. Exciting news following season two’s premiere in May 2025!

The series follows the schemes of two thirty-somethings who fake a relationship to appease their demanding Chinese parents.While season one saw the two actually fall in love, season two continues the charade with a fake pregnancy in attempts to obtain an early inheritance from their wealthy overseas relatives.

Currently, season one is streaming on iPlayer in the UK, with season two yet to be released. Lucky for us, both seasons are available to watch on Three Now in Aotearoa.

Congrats Hweiling and the entire Homebound team! It is great to see DEGANZ members’ mahi doing well internationally.

 

Last updated on 12 June 2025

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‘Devils on Horses’ and ‘Mighty Indeed’ are Finalists for the Doc Edge Awards 2025

Devils on Horses, directed by DEGANZ member Edward Sampson, and Mighty Indeed, directed by Vanessa Wells (DEGANZ) and edited by fellow member Emma Smart, are finalists in the New Zealand Feature Film category for the 2025 Doc Edge Awards.

Doc Edge is Aotearoa’s premiere international documentary film festival and an Oscar-qualifying event. The winner of the New Zealand Feature Film category will receive a cash prize and be eligible for Oscar consideration in 2026.

Devils on Horses

Directed by Edward Sampson

Set against the brutal backdrop of the Sinai-Palestine campaigns in WWI, this powerful story reveals the unbreakable bond between soldiers and their horses, trusted companions that offered comfort, courage, and connection in the face of unrelenting war. Through stunning visuals, raw interviews, and immersive reenactments, the film brings to life the emotional journey of men who found strength in their steeds.

But when peace arrived, a cruel twist — strict quarantine laws — forced many to leave their loyal partners behind. Heart-wrenching and deeply human, this is a timely reflection on the scars of war and the battles soldiers continue to fight long after returning home.

Mighty Indeed

Directed by Vanessa Wells

Edited by Emma Smart

In one of the harshest places on Earth, three women from different generations chase a hidden and ephemeral world beneath the Antarctic sea ice. Dr Natalie Robinson leads a world-first expedition to McMurdo Sound, joined by microbiologist Jacqui Stuart on her first trip south. Mentoring them from afar is veteran sea ice physicist Professor Pat Langhorne.

Battling brutal weather and isolation, the team discovers extraordinary tiny creatures within the delicate structures of the ice. Weaving personal stories with rich archival footage and groundbreaking science, this is an intimate and deeply human portrait set against the immense scale of Antarctica, shared with grit, wit, and surprising warmth.

 

Both Edward and Vanessa will be attending Q&As following the screenings of their films in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.

 

Last updated on 12 June 2025

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Early Birds Got the Worm! DEGANZ Members Amongst Early Selections for NZ Web Fest

Six projects from DEGANZ members have made the cut for the early selections for this year’s NZ Web Fest. Amongst the selections are short films, a music video, and both factual and narrative web series.

Since its inception in 2015, the NZ Web Fest has been curating and celebrating online entertainment from around the globe. The festival will take place later this year, with the rest of the line up confirmed by September.

Congratulations to all members whose work has been selected!

Short Films (Narrative)

Planet 13

Writer, Director, & Editor: Joe Murdie

Constance

Director: Jayde Hudson

 

Music Videos

Vendetta

The official video for ‘VENDETTA’ from the forthcoming debut album by Powder Chutes.

Director: Joe Murdie

 

Web Series (Factual)

Home Education

From a dahlia farm to a house bus, six families find their own ways of educating their children.

Director, DOP, and Editor: Chris Pryor

 

Web Series (Narrative)

Camp Be Better

17-year-old outsider Niah is surrounded by spoiled rich kids after somehow ending up at Camp Be Better, a cushy alternative to community service for the offspring of the rich and famous.

Co-director: Chye-Ling Huang

Literally Dead

True is the most iconic b*tch you’ve ever met, but on the cusp of graduating from high school, she died in a tragic accident (note: it wasn’t an accident). On the night of her graduation party, True’s ghost uncovers her death was the least f*cked up thing that happened that year at Gilchrist Grammar.

Directors: Victoria Boult and Gwen Lin

Editor: Brendon Chan

 

Last updated on 12 June 2025

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‘Murderbot’ Earns Killer Reviews

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The first four episodes of Apple TV’s Murderbot are out now, with episodes to come from DEGANZ member Roseanne Liang. The ten-part series drops weekly on Fridays, with Roseanne’s episodes coming out on 20 June and 4 July.

Since releasing on 16 May, the show has earned itself many rave reviews. NPR claims it is ‘the best new comedy of 2025‘ and the show currently has a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The goofy sci-fi series takes place in a high-tech future, where a rogue security robot secretly gains free will. To stay hidden, it reluctantly joins a new mission protecting scientists on a dangerous planet… even though it just wants to binge soap operas.

Keep up with the series on Apple TV to be in the loop for Roseanne’s episodes!

 

Last updated on 28 May 2025

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DEGANZ Watch List: Music & Mayhem

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Check out these new works from DEGANZ members!

The local screen and music industries have come together this month for NZ Music Month. Members Mia Blake and Miryam Jacobi were behind the new music video for local artist Len Blake. Meanwhile, fellow member Gal Hochman marked her series debut with the launch of Beyond the Beat—a vibrant, genre-bending music production series shaking up how we experience iconic Kiwi tracks.

Beloved comedy series Homebound 3.0 has made its comeback for season two, with Hweiling Ow (DEGANZ) directing half of the episodes this season.

In the short film space, DEGANZ member Tema Pua celebrates the online release of her micro-budget short, It Lies at Night.

Alone

Music Video

Director: Mia Blake

Producer: Miryam Jacobi

Watch the official music video for Len Blake’s latest single, Alone.


Beyond the Beat

Factual Web Series

Director and Creator: Gal Hochman

Beyond the Beat is a bold music series that flips the script on Aotearoa’s most iconic tracks. Each episode pairs a rising Remake Artist with a legendary hitmaker to reimagine a beloved tune in a completely new style. Guided by visionary producer Mazbou Q, the Remake Artist infuses the track with fresh energy and cultural flair—blending collaboration, experimentation, and creativity. The reimagined song is then dropped live on air, as the original artist hears it for the very first time. Five artists. Five massive hits. One mission: to redefine the future sound of Aotearoa.


Homebound 3.0

Comedy Series

Director: Hweiling Ow 

After successfully navigating a fake relationship that has now become real, Henry and Melissa fake a pregnancy to obtain an early inheritance from their cashed-up, overseas relatives obsessed with furthering the family line.


It Lies at Night

Drama Short Film

Director: Tema Pua

Anne and her sister have spent years on the run. Despite befriending a neighbour and finding an old promise from their beloved dad, Anne’s unease grows. Forced into a fight to protect her mind, Anne must grasp her father’s message if she’s to survive the night.

 

To see more recent work from DEGANZ members, check out our other DEGANZ Watch Lists!

 

Last updated on 28 May 2025

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