The New Zealand Screen Awards (NZSA) committee have honoured Sir Sam Neill KNZM OBE with the 2025 Screen Legend Award for his outstanding contribution to film and television.
The Screen Legend Award is presented to a screen professional, programme or organisation for their significant lifelong contribution to New Zealand’s screen industry.
With a career spanning over five decades, Neill has become one of New Zealand’s most celebrated performers.
From his breakthrough in Sleeping Dogs and acclaimed roles in The Piano and Jurassic Park, to performances in Peaky Blinders, The Twelve, Rake, Apples Never Fall and Untamed, Neill’s talent and versatility have earned him worldwide recognition.
A legacy of excellence
“I am very pleased and proud to be accepting this award amongst my friends and peers. I just worked it out that it’s been 53 years in film – that does indeed sound like a lifetime! Thanks to all concerned. Very honoured,” says Neill.
Neill has been honoured throughout his career, receiving Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for his performance in the NBC miniseries Merlin (1998). He was also recognised with Golden Globe nominations for One Against the Wind (1991) and Reilly: Ace of Spies (1983), the latter earning him the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Award for Best Actor.
His outstanding body of work has also been celebrated in Australia, where he received the AFI Award for Best Actor for Jessica (2004). Continuing his legacy of excellence, he was recently honoured with the 2025 Logie Award for Best Lead Actor in a Drama, following his 2023 TV Week Silver Logie for Most Popular Actor for his acclaimed role in The Twelve.
An industry legend
Previous Legend honourees include multi-award-winning creator and producer, Dame Julie Christie DNZM (2024); writer, actor and director Oscar Kightley (2023); television producer Janine Morrell-Gunn (2022); actor and director Ian Mune (2021); television executive Andrew Shaw (2020); Shortland Street (2019); Māori broadcaster and journalist Tini Molyneux (2018); and veteran producer John Barnett (2017).
Colleague and fellow Legend Award recipient Oscar Kightley says: “Although we use this word a lot, there are actual legends still among us. People whose existence helps make others around them and the world a better place. Sir Sam Neil is one of those people. He’s done so much for New Zealand and especially the screen industry here. He’s an inspiration to many. I’m stoked to be alive at the same time as him.”
The winners of this year’s New Zealand Screen Awards will be announced on November 21 at the Viaduct Events Centre, with comedian Pax Assadi hosting the ceremony.
