Here are some of the awards we've won, with the help of lots of clever people.
We stand on the shoulders of giants. Here are some of the awards we’ve won, with the help of lots of clever people. We have won over 30 national and international awards for our work in the creative industries and the greater community.
Two decades ago, Wētā Workshop – then a young design studio and physical manufacturing facility – was invited to join director Peter Jackson on an incredible adventure that would go on to define the company and write an important chapter in the history of our country, New Zealand.
Across concept design, miniatures and bigatures, weapons and armour, prosthetics, props, creatures and costumes, the Workshop crew rose to the challenge and went on to help win five Academy Awards® for their efforts. This enduring project is the foundation on which the Workshop is built.
Themed Entertainment Association (Thea) Award, 2021
Location-based Experience, Wētā Workshop Unleashed
![Weta Alien](/assets/LBE-Page/Recent-Work/Weta-Alien__FillWzYzMCw0MTBd.jpg)
![MG 0057 081220](/assets/LBE/Recent-Work/MG_0057_081220__FillWzYzMCw0MTBd.jpg)
Wētā Workshop Unleashed is a location-based experience in Auckland, New Zealand. To show guests how we make films for the entertainment industry, we invented three original film concepts from the genres that we love – horror, fantasy and sci-fi. It is filled to the brim with interactive experiences, remarkable displays and surprises to delight.
Visual Effects Society Award, 2018
Outstanding Model in a Photoreal or Animated Project, Blade Runner 2049
![winners](/assets/Uploads/winners__FillWzYzMCw0MTBd.jpg)
![Weta Workshop VES Award Blade Runner 2049 LAPD](/assets/Uploads/Weta_Workshop_VES_Award_Blade_Runner_2049_LAPD__FillWzYzMCw0MTBd.jpg)
For Denis Villeneuve’s acclaimed film, Wētā Workshop created three expansive miniature environments. Crew members Alex Funke, Christopher Menges, Steven Saunders, and Joaquin Loyzaga received the VES Award for the enormous LAPD tower.
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop Themed Entertainment Award](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_Themed_Entertainment_Award__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
Themed Entertainment Association Award for Outstanding Achievement (Immersive Mall Experience)
Haikou - Aura "Forest at the Edge of the Sky"
Blooloop Innovation Award for Themed Entertainment
Haikou - Aura "Forest at the Edge of the Sky"
![Concept design award Live Action Film Keyframe](/assets/Awards-Icons/Concept-design-award-Live-Action-Film-Keyframe__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
Concept Art Award for Live Action Film: Keyframe
Dune
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop John Britten Award](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_John_Britten_Award__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
Best Award for Lighting Design
Wētā Workshop Unleashed
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop Themed Entertainment Award](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_Themed_Entertainment_Award__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
Themed Entertainment Association Award for Outstanding Achievement (Brand Experience)
Wētā Workshop Unleashed
![Blooloop vector](/assets/Awards-Icons/Blooloop_vector__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
Blooloop Innovation Award for Storytelling
Wētā Workshop Unleashed
Wellington Gold Award
Dr.Grordbort's Boosters
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop VES Award](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_VES_Award__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
VES Award for Outstanding Model in a Photoreal or Animated Project
Blade Runner 2049
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop Themed Entertainment Award](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_Themed_Entertainment_Award__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
Themed Entertainment Association Award for Outstanding Achievement
Gallipoli : The scale of our war
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop King Vidor Award](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_King_Vidor_Award__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
King Vidor Award (San Luis Obispo International Film Festival) For Career Achievement in Film
Richard Taylor
Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year
Richard Taylor
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop OBE](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_OBE__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
Queen's Honours, Knight Companion of The New Zealand Order of Merit
Richard Taylor
Wellington Institute of Technology Honorary Bachelor of Creative Technologies
Richard Taylor
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop World Class NZ Award](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_World_Class_NZ_Award__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
World Class NZ Awards Supreme Winner
Richard Taylor
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop Critics Choice Awards](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_Critics_Choice_Awards__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
BFCA Critics Choice Award Best Make-Up
District 9
New Zealander of the Year
Richard Taylor
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop Export Year Honorary Award](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_Export_Year_Honorary_Award__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
Export Year Honorary Award
Richard Taylor
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop Ernst and Young World Entrepreneur Award](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_Ernst_and_Young_World_Entrepreneur_Award__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
Ernest & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year
Richard Taylor
Massey University Hall of Fame
Richard Taylor
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop Academy Award](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_Academy_Award__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
Academy Award for achievement in Visual Effects
King Kong
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop BAFTA Award](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_BAFTA_Award__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
BAFTA Award for Achievement in Special Visual Effects
King Kong
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop VES Award](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_VES_Award__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
VES Award for Best Miniatures
The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop VES Award](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_VES_Award__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
VES Award for Best Miniatures
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop John Britten Award](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_John_Britten_Award__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
Designers Institute of New Zealand
John Britten Award
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop Academy Award](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_Academy_Award__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
Academy Award for Best Costume
The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop Academy Award](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_Academy_Award__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
Academy Award for Best Make-up
The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop MAUHS Awards](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_MAUHS_Awards__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
Hollywood Hair & Make-up Society Award for Best Special Make-up
The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop MAUHS Awards](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_MAUHS_Awards__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
Hollywood Hair & Make-up Society Award for Best Special Make-up
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop BAFTA Award](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_BAFTA_Award__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
BAFTA Award for Best Costume Design
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards for Best Costume Design
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Las Vegas Film Critics' Society Award for Best Costume Design
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Las Vegas Film Critics' Society Award for Best Costume Design
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Wellington Regional Gold Awards
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop Academy Award](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_Academy_Award__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
Academy Award for Best Make-up
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop Academy Award](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_Academy_Award__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
Academy Award for Best Visual Effects
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop BAFTA Award](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_BAFTA_Award__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
BAFTA Award for Best Make-up
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop BAFTA Award](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_BAFTA_Award__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
BAFTA Award for Best Visual Effects
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Catalonian International Film Festival Award for Best Model / Miniature
The Frighteners
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop NZ Film and Television award](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_NZ_Film_and_Television_award__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
New Zealand Film Awards Best Contribution to Design
Forgotten Silver
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop NZ Film and Television award](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_NZ_Film_and_Television_award__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
New Zealand Film Awards Best Contribution to Design
The Ugly
Catalonian International Film Festival Award for Best Special Effects
for Braindead [US: Dead Alive]
Portuguese Film Festival Award for Best Special Effects
Braindead [US: Dead Alive]
Silver Screen (Holland) Award for Best Special Effects
Braindead [US: Dead Alive]
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop NZ Film and Television award](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_NZ_Film_and_Television_award__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
New Zealand Film Awards Best Contribution to Design
Braindead [US: Dead Alive]
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop NZ Film and Television award](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_NZ_Film_and_Television_award__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
New Zealand Film Awards Best Contribution to Design
Heavenly Creatures
Avoriaz Festival Award for Best Special Effects
Braindead [US: Dead Alive]
Fantasy Film Awards (Italy) Award for Best Physical Effects
Meet the Feebles
![Awards Icons Weta Workshop Stiges Festival Award](/assets/Awards-Icons/Awards_Icons_Weta_Workshop_Stiges_Festival_Award__FillWzEwMCwxMDBd.png)
Sitges Festival Award for best Special Effects
Braindead
Fantasy Film Awards (Italy) Best Physical Effects
Meet the Feebles