Congratulations to Gaylene Preston on being named one of New Zealand's Women of Influence.
Presented by Fairfax Media and Westpac, the New Zealand Women of Influence programme recognises and celebrates women from all walks of life who make a difference to everyday people.
Preston was recognised in the Arts and Culture category for her filmmaking career that has spanned short films, narrative and documentary features.
She has told important stories about Kiwis in war, captured the lives of influential New Zealanders and made enormous contributions to the country's film industry.
Preston has won 11 New Zealand Film Awards, was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to filmmaking and has sat on a number of boards, including the New Zealand Film Commission and New Zealand on Air.
Currently working on a film in New York, Preston was not present to accept the award in person, but said, "To those who have sailed alongside - including the NZFC and NZ On Air, I am most grateful."