Overview
Born : August 16, 1975 · Wellington, New Zealand
Birth name: Taika David Waititi
Height : 6′ 0½″ (1.84 m)
Mini Bio
Taika Waititi, also known as Taika Cohen, hails from the Raukokore region of the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand, and is the son of Robin (Cohen), a teacher, and Taika Waititi, an artist and farmer. His father is Maori (Te-Whanau-a-Apanui), and his mother is of Ashkenazi Jewish, Irish, Scottish, and English descent. Taika has been involved in the film industry for several years, initially as an actor, and now focusing on writing and directing.
Two Cars, One Night is Taika’s first professional film-making effort and since its completion in 2003 he has finished another short “Tama Tu” about a group of Maori Soldiers in Italy during World War 2. As a performer and comedian, Taika has been involved in some of the most innovative and successful original productions seen in New Zealand. He regularly does stand-up gigs in and around the country and in 2004 launched his solo production, “Taika’s Incredible Show”. In 2005 he staged the sequel, “Taika’s Incrediblerer Show”. As an actor, Taika has been critically acclaimed for both his Comedic and Dramatic abilities. In 2000 he was nominated for Best Actor at the Nokia Film Awards for his role in the Sarkies Brother’s film “Scarfies”.
Taika is also an experienced painter and photographer, having exhibited both mediums in Wellington and Berlin, and a fashion designer. He attended the Sundance Writers Lab with “Choice”, a feature loosely based on “Two Cars, One Night”.
Taika became a blockbuster director with his film Thor: Ragnarok (2017), and received critical acclaim, and a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar, for his film Jojo Rabbit (2019).
In films like What We Do in the Shadows, Thor: Ragnarok, and Jojo Rabbit, director Taika Waititi has a unique knack for balancing emotional drama with light-hearted comedy.
Academy Awards, USA
2020 |
Winner Oscar |
Best Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Nominee Oscar |
Best Motion Picture of the Year Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
|
2005 |
Nominee Oscar |
Best Short Film, Live Action Two Cars, One Night (2003) |
Primetime Emmy Awards
2022 |
Nominee Primetime Emmy |
Outstanding Comedy Series What We Do in the Shadows (2019) Jemaine Clement Paul Simms Garrett Basch Eli Bush Stefani Robinson Sam Johnson Yana Gorskaya Kyle Newacheck Marika Sawyer Ingrid Lageder Derek Rappaport |
2020 |
Nominee Primetime Emmy |
Outstanding Comedy Series What We Do in the Shadows (2019) Jemaine Clement Paul Simms Scott Rudin Garrett Basch Eli Bush Stefani Robinson Sam Johnson Derek Rappaport |
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance The Mandalorian (2019) As IG-11 in The Mandalorian: Chapter 8: Redemption (2019)
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BAFTA Awards
2020 |
Winner BAFTA Film Award |
Best Screenplay (Adapted) Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
AACTA International Awards
2020 |
Winner AACTA International Award |
Best Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
AFI Fest
2010 |
Winner Audience Award |
Best International Feature Film Boy (2010) |
2004 |
Winner Short Award |
Two Cars, One Night (2003) |
Alliance of Women Film Journalists
2020 |
Nominee EDA Award |
Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Amiens International Film Festival
2004 |
Winner Golden Unicorn |
Best Short Film Two Cars, One Night (2003) |
Winner Audience Award |
Best Short Film Two Cars, One Night (2003) |
|
Winner Award of the Amiens Jailhouse |
Female Prisoners Two Cars, One Night (2003) |
Aspen Filmfest
2019 |
Winner Audience Award |
Special Mention Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Aspen Shortsfest
2005 |
Winner The Ellen – Distinctive Achievement |
Tama tu (2005) |
2004 |
Winner Jury Award |
Best Drama Two Cars, One Night (2003) For an authenticity and visual style that is unsurpassed.
|
Austin Film Critics Association
2020 |
Nominee AFCA Award |
Best Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Awards Circuit Community Awards
2020 |
Nominee ACCA |
Best Motion Picture Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Nominee ACCA |
Best Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Berlin International Film Festival
2014 |
Nominee Crystal Bear |
Generation 14plus – Best Film What We Do in the Shadows (2014) |
2010 |
Winner Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk Grand Prix |
Best Feature Film Boy (2010) |
2005 |
Winner Panorama Special Jury Short Film Award |
Tama tu (2005) |
2004 |
Winner Panorama Short Film Award |
Two Cars, One Night (2003) |
Bodil Awards
2021 |
Nominee Bodil |
Best American Film (Bedste amerikanske film) Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
2019 |
Nominee Bodil |
Best American Film (Bedste amerikanske film) Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Bram Stoker Awards
2015 |
Nominee Bram Stoker Award |
Screenplay What We Do in the Shadows (2014) Jemaine Clement |
British Animation Awards
2022 |
Nominee BAA |
Best Voice Performance Save Ralph (2021) |
Calgary Underground Film Festival
2016 |
Winner Audience Award |
Best Narrative Feature Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) |
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
2019 |
Nominee CFCA Award |
Best Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Chicago Indie Critics Awards (CIC)
2020 |
Nominee Trailblazer Award |
|
Nominee CIC Award |
Best Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
|
Best Independent Film Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Chlotrudis Awards
2016 |
Nominee Chlotrudis Award |
Best Original Screenplay What We Do in the Shadows (2014) |
Cinema Brazil Grand Prize
2021 |
Winner Cinema Brazil Grand Prize |
Best Foreign Film (Melhor Filme Estrangeiro) Jojo Rabbit (2019) USA.
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Cinema for Peace Awards
2020 |
Nominee Cinema for Peace Award |
Most Valuable Film of the Year Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
CinEuphoria Awards
2021 |
Winner CinEuphoria |
Best Film – International Competition Jojo Rabbit (2019) Carthew Neal Chelsea Winstanley |
Best Ensemble – International Competition Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
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Top Ten of the Year – International Competition Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
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Nominee CinEuphoria |
Best Supporting Actor – International Competition Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
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Best Duo – International Competition Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
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Best Director – International Competition Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
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Best Screenplay – International Competition Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Columbus Film Critics Association
2020 |
Nominee COFCA Award |
Best Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) 2nd place
|
Cork International Film Festival
2019 |
Nominee Audience Award |
Best Film Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Critics Choice Awards
2020 |
Nominee Critics Choice Award |
Best Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
deadCenter Film Festival
2016 |
Winner Best Feature |
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) |
Denver Film Critics Society
2020 |
Nominee DFCS Award |
Best Director Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Best Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Detroit Film Critics Society Awards
2019 |
Nominee DFCS Award |
Best Director Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Directors Guild of America, USA
2021 |
Nominee DGA Award |
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials Coca-Cola: The Letter (2020) |
2020 |
Nominee DGA Award |
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
DiscussingFilm Critics Awards
2019 |
Nominee Jury Award |
Best Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Dragon Awards
2018 |
Nominee Dragon Award |
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Movie Thor: Ragnarok (2017) |
Edinburgh International Film Festival
2016 |
Winner Audience Award |
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) |
Nominee Best International Feature Film |
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) |
Empire Awards, UK
2018 |
Nominee Empire Award |
Best Director Thor: Ragnarok (2017) |
2017 |
Nominee Empire Award |
Best Director Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) |
Best Screenplay Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) |
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards
2016 |
Winner Chainsaw Award |
Best Limited-Release/Direct-to-Video Film What We Do in the Shadows (2014) |
Best Screenplay What We Do in the Shadows (2014) |
Fantasia Film Festival
2016 |
Winner Audience Award |
Best European / North-South American Feature Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) |
Fantaspoa International Fantastic Film Festival
2015 |
Winner Honorable Mention |
Artistic Contribution – International Film What We Do in the Shadows (2014) |
Fantastic Fest
2019 |
Nominee Audience Award |
Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Film Club’s The Lost Weekend
2016 |
Winner Lost Weekend Award |
Best Director Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) |
Lost Weekend Audience Favorite Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) |
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2015 |
Winner Lost Weekend Award |
Lost Weekend Audience Favorite What We Do in the Shadows (2014) Jemaine Clement |
Film Independent Spirit Awards
2022 |
Winner Independent Spirit Award |
Best New Scripted Series Reservation Dogs (2021) |
Florida Film Critics Circle Awards
2019 |
Nominee FFCC Award |
Best Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Fright Meter Awards
2015 |
Nominee Fright Meter Award |
Best Actor What We Do in the Shadows (2014) |
Best Screenplay What We Do in the Shadows (2014) |
GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics
2020 |
Nominee Dorian Award |
Wilde Wit of the Year |
Galway Film Fleadh
2016 |
Winner Feature Film Award |
Best International Film Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) |
Georgia Film Critics Association (GAFCA)
2020 |
Nominee GAFCA Award |
Best Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Gold Derby Awards
2022 |
Nominee Gold Derby TV Award |
Comedy Supporting Actor Our Flag Means Death (2022) |
Comedy Guest Actor What We Do in the Shadows (2019) |
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Performer of the Year | ||
2020 |
Nominee Gold Derby Film Award |
Motion Picture Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
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Adapted Screenplay of the Decade Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Gotham Awards
2021 |
Winner Gotham Independent Film Award |
Breakthrough Series – Shortform Reservation Dogs (2021) |
Grammy Awards
2021 |
Winner Grammy |
Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media Jojo Rabbit (2019) (Various Artists)
|
Greater Western New York Film Critics Association Awards
2019 |
Nominee GWNYFCA Award |
Best Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Hamburg International Short Film Festival
2004 |
Winner Hamburg Short Film Award |
Two Cars, One Night (2003) |
Hawaii Film Critics Society
2020 |
Nominee HFCS Award |
Best Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Hawaii International Film Festival
2014 |
Winner Audience Award |
Best Narrative Feature What We Do in the Shadows (2014) |
Hermosillo International Film Festival, Mexico
2016 |
Winner Festival Prize |
Best International Feature Film What We Do in the Shadows (2014) Jemaine Clement |
Hollywood Critics Association
2020 |
Winner HCA Award |
Best Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Nominee HCA Award |
Best Male Director Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Hollywood Critics Association Television Awards
2022 |
Nominee HCA Award |
Best Writing in a Streaming Series, Comedy Reservation Dogs (2021) Episode: “Reservation Dogs: F*ckin’ Rez Dogs (2021)”
|
Best Directing in a Streaming Series, Comedy Our Flag Means Death (2022) Episode: “Our Flag Means Death: Pilot (2022)”
|
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Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Series, Comedy Our Flag Means Death (2022) |
Hugo Awards
2020 |
Nominee Hugo |
Best Dramatic Presentation – Short Form The Mandalorian (2019) Jon Favreau For The Mandalorian: Chapter 8: Redemption (2019)
|
2018 |
Nominee Hugo |
Best Dramatic Presentation – Long Form Thor: Ragnarok (2017) Eric Pearson Craig Kyle Christopher L. Yost |
Humanitas Prize
2020 |
Winner Humanitas Prize |
Comedy Feature Film Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
ICG Publicists Awards
2022 |
Winner Showmanship Award |
Television |
ImagineNative Film + Media Arts Festival
2010 |
Winner Jury Award |
Best Dramatic Feature Boy (2010) |
In The Bin Film Festival
2005 |
Winner Jury Prize |
Best of the Fest Two Cars, One Night (2003) |
Independent Film Festival of Boston
2016 |
Winner Audience Award |
Narrative Feature Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) |
Indianapolis International Film Festival
2005 |
Winner Grand Jury Prize |
Best Short Tama tu (2005) Tied with _Solo un cargador (2003)_.
|
International Online Cinema Awards (INOCA)
2020 |
Nominee INOCA |
Best Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Jameson CineFest – Miskolc International Film Festival
2016 |
Nominee Emeric Pressburger Prize |
(none) Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) |
Kids’ Choice Awards, Australia
2018 |
Nominee Blimp Award |
Favorite Ultimate Icon |
Leeds International Film Festival
2019 |
Winner Audience Award |
Best Feature Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Melbourne International Film Festival
2014 |
Nominee People’s Choice Award |
Best Narrative Feature What We Do in the Shadows (2014) 4th Runner-up
|
2010 |
Winner Most Popular Feature Film |
Boy (2010) |
Montclair Film Festival (MFF)
2016 |
Winner Audience Award |
Narrative Feature Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) |
Montréal Festival of New Cinema
2019 |
Nominee Temps Ø People’s Choice Award |
Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
MTV Movie + TV Awards
2018 |
Nominee MTV Movie + TV Award |
Scene Stealer Thor: Ragnarok (2017) |
Music City Film Critics’ Association Awards
2020 |
Nominee MCFCA Award |
Best Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival
2014 |
Winner Audience Award |
What We Do in the Shadows (2014) |
Nominee Narcisse Award |
Best Feature Film What We Do in the Shadows (2014) |
Nevada Film Critics Society
2019 |
Winner NFCS Award |
Best Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
New Zealand Film and TV Awards (I)
2003 |
Winner Film Award |
Best Short Film Screenplay Two Cars, One Night (2003) |
Nominee Film Award |
Best Short Film Two Cars, One Night (2003) |
New Zealand Film and TV Awards (II)
2017 |
Winner Film Award |
Best Director Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) |
2010 |
Winner Film Award |
Best Director in a Film Feature Boy (2010) |
Best Supporting Actor in a Feature Film Boy (2010) |
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Best Screenplay for a Feature Film Boy (2010) |
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2008 |
Winner Film Award |
Achievement in Directing in Film Eagle vs Shark (2007) |
Nominee Film Award |
Best Picture – Budget over $1 Million Eagle vs Shark (2007) |
|
Best Screenplay in Film Eagle vs Shark (2007) |
Newport Beach Film Festival
2007 |
Winner Feature Film Award |
Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking – Comedy Eagle vs Shark (2007) |
Newport International Film Festival, Rhode Island
2007 |
Winner Jury Award |
Best Narrative Feature Eagle vs Shark (2007) |
North Carolina Film Critics Association
2020 |
Nominee NCFCA Award |
Best Director Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Best Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
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2017 |
Nominee NCFCA Award |
Best Adapted Screenplay Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) |
NZ TV Awards
2020 |
Winner Best Comedy or Entertainment Programme |
Wellington Paranormal (2018) |
Oberhausen International Short Film Festival
2004 |
Winner Award of the Theatre Owners |
Two Cars, One Night (2003) |
Oklahoma Film Critics Circle Awards
2019 |
Nominee OFCC Award |
Best Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Online Association of Female Film Critics
2019 |
Winner OAFFC Award |
Best Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Online Film & Television Association
2020 |
Nominee OFTA Television Award |
Best Voice-Over Performance in a Animated Program The Mandalorian (2019) |
Nominee OFTA Film Award |
Best Picture Jojo Rabbit (2019) 8th place
|
|
Nominee OFTA Film Award |
Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium Jojo Rabbit (2019) Tied with Steven Zaillian for The Irishman (2019) in second place.
|
Online Film Critics Society Awards
2020 |
Nominee OFCS Award |
Best Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Pacific Meridian International Film Festival of Asia Pacific Countries
2007 |
Winner Special Jury Award |
Eagle vs Shark (2007)
For originality.
|
Palm Springs International ShortFest
2005 |
Winner Jury Award |
Best Live Action Over 15 Minutes Tama tu (2005) |
Pena de Prata
2021 |
Nominee Pena de Prata |
Best Comedy Series What We Do in the Shadows (2019) Jemaine Clement Paul Simms Yana Gorskaya Garrett Basch Eli Bush Stefani Robinson Sam Johnson Derek Rappaport Marika Sawyer |
Best Comedy Series Reservation Dogs (2021) Garrett Basch Sterlin Harjo Dylan Brodie Kathryn Dean Tazbah Chavez |
PGA Awards
2021 |
Nominee PGA Award |
Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Comedy What We Do in the Shadows (2019) Season 2
|
2020 |
Nominee PGA Award |
Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Phoenix Critics Circle
2019 |
Nominee PCC Award |
Best Director Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Best Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards
2019 |
Winner PFCS Award |
Best Screenplay Adapted from Other Material Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
San Diego Film Critics Society Awards
2019 |
Nominee SDFCS Award |
Best Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Nominee SDFCS Award |
Best Comedic Performance Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
|
2016 |
Nominee SDFCS Award |
Best Adapted Screenplay Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) |
2015 |
Winner SDFCS Award |
Best Original Screenplay What We Do in the Shadows (2014) |
San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle
2019 |
Winner SFBAFCC Award |
Best Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
San Francisco International Film Festival
2016 |
Winner Audience Award |
Best Narrative Feature Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) |
Satellite Awards
2019 |
Nominee Satellite Award |
Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Best Screenplay, Adapted Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Screen Actors Guild Awards
2020 |
Nominee Actor |
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Seattle International Film Festival
2016 |
Nominee Futurewave Youth Jury Award |
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) |
Nominee Golden Space Needle Award |
Best Film Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) |
|
2004 |
Winner Short Film Competition Award |
Best Short Film: Live Action Two Cars, One Night (2003) |
Sitges – Catalonian International Film Festival
2014 |
Winner Audience Award |
Best Feature Film What We Do in the Shadows (2014) |
Winner Special Mention |
What We Do in the Shadows (2014) |
St. Louis Film Critics Association, US
2019 |
Nominee SLFCA Award |
Best Director Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Nominee SLFCA Award |
Best Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) Tied with Greta Gerwig for Little Women (2019) in second place.
|
Stockholm Film Festival
2005 |
Winner Best Short Film |
Tama tu (2005) |
Sundance Film Festival
2010 |
Nominee Grand Jury Prize |
World Cinema – Dramatic Boy (2010) |
2007 |
Nominee Grand Jury Prize |
World Cinema – Dramatic Eagle vs Shark (2007) |
2005 |
Winner Short Filmmaking Award – Honorable Mention |
Tama tu (2005) |
Sydney Film Festival
2010 |
Winner Audience Award |
Best Feature Film Boy (2010) |
Taipei Film Festival
2010 |
Winner International New Talent Competition – Special Mention |
Boy (2010) |
Nominee International New Talent Competition – Grand Prize |
Boy (2010) | |
2007 |
Nominee International New Talent Competition – Grand Prize |
Eagle vs Shark (2007) |
Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival
2014 |
Winner Audience Award |
What We Do in the Shadows (2014) |
Nominee Just Film Award |
Best Youth Film What We Do in the Shadows (2014) |
Teen Choice Awards
2018 |
Nominee Teen Choice Award |
Choice: Scene Stealer Thor: Ragnarok (2017) |
Titanic International Film Festival
2015 |
Winner Audience’s Award |
What We Do in the Shadows (2014) |
Torino Film Festival
2014 |
Winner Jury Prize |
Best Screenplay What We Do in the Shadows (2014) |
Nominee Prize of the City of Torino |
Best Feature Film What We Do in the Shadows (2014) |
Toronto International Film Festival
2019 |
Winner Grolsch People’s Choice Award |
Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Winner TIFF Ebert Director Award |
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2014 |
Winner People’s Choice Award |
Midnight Madness What We Do in the Shadows (2014) |
UK Jewish Film Festival
2019 |
Nominee Dorfman Best Film Award |
Best Film Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
US Comedy Arts Festival
2007 |
Winner Film Discovery Jury Award |
Best Screenplay Eagle vs Shark (2007) |
USC Scripter Award
2020 |
Nominee USC Scripter Award |
Film Jojo Rabbit (2019) Christine Leunens Based on the novel “Caging Skies” by Christine Leunens
|
Utah Film Critics Association Awards
2019 |
Nominee UFCA Award |
Best Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
VC FilmFest – Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival
2005 |
Winner New Directors/New Visions Award |
Tama tu (2005) |
Warsaw International Film Festival
2014 |
Winner Audience Award |
Feature Film What We Do in the Shadows (2014) |
Washington DC Area Film Critics Association Awards
2019 |
Nominee WAFCA Award |
Best Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
2017 |
Nominee WAFCA Award |
Best Motion Capture Performance Thor: Ragnarok (2017) |
Wisconsin Film Festival
2016 |
Winner Audience Award |
Best Narrative Feature Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) |
Writers Guild of America, USA
2022 |
Nominee WGA Award (TV) |
Episodic Comedy Reservation Dogs (2021) For episode “F*ckin’ Rez Dogs (2021)”.
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New Series Reservation Dogs (2021) |
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2020 |
Winner WGA Award (Screen) |
Adapted Screenplay Jojo Rabbit (2019) |
Nominee WGA Award (TV) |
New Series What We Do in the Shadows (2019) |
|
2008 |
Nominee WGA Award (TV) |
Comedy Series Flight of the Conchords (2007) |
New Series Flight of the Conchords (2007) |
Writer
- Upcoming
- 7