Congratulations to the winners of the Audience Choice Awards in New Zealand's Best 2021 and Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts 2021.

The Audience Choice Award for New Zealand's Best 2021 went to Datsun, directed by Mark Albiston, and the Letterboxd Audience Choice Award for Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts 2021 went to Disconnected, directed by Maruia Jensen.

Mark will receive a 25% share of the box office takings from the New Zealand's Best 2021 screenings in Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, while Jensen takes home a cash prize of $1000.

The awards were decided by audience voting at screenings in Wellington and Christchurch and were announced live last night at Wellington's Embassy Theatre ahead of the sold-out Closing Night screening of Palme d'Or winner Titane.

Ngā Whanuanga Māori Pasifika Shorts has screenings to come in Tauranga, Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Nelson, and a sold-out screening in Encore Week in Wellington. 

New Zealand's Best 2021 has screenings to come in Hawke's Bay, Masterton,and New Plymouth, and a sold-out screening in Encore Week in Wellington.