Dark Doris earns global recognition as ‘Prime Minister’ lands two Emmy nominations

Dark Doris, Augusto’s entertainment arm, is celebrating a major international milestone after Prime Minister was nominated for two Emmy Awards.

The feature documentary about former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is up for Best Documentary and Outstanding Politics and Government Documentary at the 47th News and Documentary annual awards, recognising a project that has already had a huge international impact.

The nominations mark another significant chapter for a documentary that has become one of the most visible examples of New Zealand storytelling connecting globally. Prime Minister offers an intimate portrait of Ardern’s political and private life, capturing five turbulent years in power and the period beyond.

The film first made waves at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award for World Cinema Documentary, before securing high-profile distribution through platforms HBO, HBO Max, CNN and more recently, Netflix. The trajectory from a human, Aotearoa-made story to global festival recognition, with premium distribution and now Emmy attention, gives the production well deserved global recognition and fame.

For Augusto, it is more than a film success story. It is a sign that authentic, locally grounded storytelling from New Zealand can travel and make a true difference internationally. Taking Aotearoa’s stories to the world is vital to creating a future-proofed and sustainable screen and entertainment sector, contributing to New Zealand’s cultural and creative superpower.

Says Cass Avery, Executive Producer: “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.”

As global audiences continue to seek out more nuanced and perspective-driven content, Aotearoa’s creative sector is uniquely positioned with a track record of storytelling that blends emotional intelligence, cultural specificity and strong craft.

Says Michelle Walshe, Co-Director of Prime Minister: “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.”

For Dark Doris, the Emmy nominations represent more than a single project’s success. They signal a broader creative direction that sees entertainment, documentary and branded storytelling converge around culturally meaningful narratives.

As New Zealand’s presence in the global screen industry continues to evolve, Prime Minister stands as a clear example of what is possible when storytelling is led by authenticity.

View the trailer: https://primeministerdoc.com/

Co-Director – Michelle Walshe
Producer – Leon Kirkbeck
Executive Producer – Cass Avery
Co-Director (USA) – Lindsey Utz
Production Company – Dark Doris
Production Partner (USA) – Madison Wells

And of course, Jacinda Arden and Clarke Gayford for the immense privilege of being able to capture their lives.