Entertainment company Dark Doris is celebrating winning two Emmy Awards for its documentary Prime Minister, which followed former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern’s time in government.
The awards were announced during a ceremony in New York on May 28.
Dark Doris, which is the documentary and entertainment arm of agency Augusto, first won Outstanding Politics and Government Documentary before receiving the night’s top honour, Best Documentary.
International fame
The film has become one of the most internationally recognised documentary projects ever produced out of New Zealand, after a breakout run that included the Audience Award at Sundance Film Festival, global distribution through HBO, CNN and Netflix, and now dual Emmy recognition on the world stage.
For Augusto and Dark Doris, the Emmy wins are a powerful validation of something the agency has long believed: the stories that connect most deeply are the ones grounded in humanity.
Augusto says it has built its reputation creating projects that cut through with honesty and authenticity. With Prime Minister, that approach has now been recognised on the world’s biggest stage.
“This is an incredibly proud moment for our team and for Aotearoa creativity,” says executive producer Cass Avery.
“In a world saturated with content, people are looking for work that feels emotionally truthful. We’ve always believed life delivers beautiful and important moments, and that’s what we set out to capture with Prime Minister. Something intimate, human and universally relatable.”
Universal experiences
Co-director Michelle Walshe says the recognition reflects a growing global appetite for films driven by empathy and emotional depth.
“We never set out to make a political film,” says Walshe. “At its heart, Prime Minister is about pressure, responsibility, sacrifice and empathy. The fact audiences around the world connected with it, regardless of politics or geography, shows how universal those experiences really are.
“For a small country at the bottom of the world to create something that resonates on this scale is incredibly special. New Zealand has a unique voice and there’s an honesty and intimacy to the way we make films that audiences are responding to globally.”
Avery adds: “This isn’t just a win for one film. It’s proof that New Zealand creativity can stand alongside the very best in the world and that stories made here have genuine global impact.”
Credits
- 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 Ardern and Clarke Gayford for the immense privilege of telling their stories.
