DARK DORIS DOCUMENTARY ON JACINDA ARDERN EARNS EMMY NOMINATIONS

Dark Doris, Augusto’s entertainment arm, has achieved a global milestone with its documentary Prime Minister, centred on Jacinda Ardern. The film, already acclaimed at Sundance and distributed by HBO, CNN and Netflix, is nominated for two Emmy Awards, underscoring New Zealand’s growing influence in international storytelling and screen culture.  

Dark Doris, the entertainment division of Augusto, is celebrating a landmark moment as its feature documentary Prime Minister has been nominated for two Emmy Awards. The film, which chronicles the political and personal journey of former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, is shortlisted for Best Documentary and Outstanding Politics and Government Documentary at the 47th annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards.  

The nominations mark a new chapter for a project that has already made waves internationally. Prime Minister offers an intimate portrait of Ardern’s five turbulent years in office and the period beyond, capturing both the political challenges and the human complexities of leadership. Its trajectory from a locally produced story to global recognition exemplifies how New Zealand storytelling can resonate far beyond its borders.  

The film first gained international attention at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award for World Cinema Documentary. From there, it secured high-profile distribution through HBO, HBO Max, CNN and, most recently, Netflix. This journey from Aotearoa to the world stage has given the production deserved acclaim and visibility, now capped by Emmy recognition.  

For Augusto, the success of Prime Minister is more than a single film achievement. It represents the power of authentic, locally grounded storytelling to travel globally and contribute to a sustainable screen and entertainment sector. Executive Producer Cass Avery reflected on the significance of the nominations: “The global response to Prime Minister reinforces something we’ve long known; that Aotearoa New Zealand has the creative capability to produce work that stands shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world. These nominations are not just recognition of one story, but of a growing confidence in our industry to back ourselves, invest in what’s universal and specific about Aotearoa, and take those stories to an international audience.”  

Co-Director Michelle Walshe emphasised the film’s approach: “From the beginning, we wanted to create something that felt intimate and real, a film that didn’t try to simplify or sensationalise, but instead allowed complexity and humanity to sit at the centre. I think what’s exciting right now is that there’s growing recognition that stories from Aotearoa don’t need to be adapted to fit a global lens. When they’re told truthfully, they naturally find their place on the world stage.”  

As global audiences increasingly seek nuanced, perspective-driven content, New Zealand’s creative sector is well positioned with a track record of blending emotional intelligence, cultural specificity and strong craft. For Dark Doris, the Emmy nominations signal a broader creative direction where entertainment, documentary and branded storytelling converge around culturally meaningful narratives.  

In an evolving global screen industry, Prime Minister stands as a clear example of what is possible when storytelling is led by authenticity. For New Zealand, it is a moment of pride and proof that its stories, told truthfully, can command attention and respect on the world stage.