The heartwarming tale of a defiant city kid gone bush swept through the NZ Film Awards on Saturday, taking home seven Moas after being nominated for a whopping 15.
Taika Waititi's film Hunt for the Wilderpeople is an adaptation of Barry Crump's novel Wild Pork and Watercress, and made a sweep of the biggest categories including Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenplay.
Stars Julian Dennison, Sam Neill and Rima Te Wiata received nods from the Rialto Channel NZ Film Awards, claiming Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress for their roles in the box office success.
The awards, colloquially referred to as the Moas, took a year-long hiatus after a "lull in local production" but the industry picked up last year to stack categories full of nominees, the organisers say.
Other notable successes of the night include action-western Slow West which took home four awards, and ex-Shortland Street star Angela Bloomfield was named Best Short Actress for her role in Linda's List.
A full list of winners can be found on the Rialto Channel New Zealand Film Awards Facebook page.
Newshub.
