Awards and Success


"Kit Reilly dances splendidly, with great surety and effortless extensions and a beautiful line."

Ann Hunt: NZSD Solos Season

Turbulent Kingdoms: Film Festival Success

2022-2023

2 select films from Kit’s Dance Film Series Turbulent Kingdoms achieved incredible success at film festivals worldwide. It was selected for 18 Festivals in total.

  • Best Production Design - Experimental Dance, Music & Film Festival LA and Toronto

  • Best Young Director - 8 & Halfilm Awards Rome

  • Best Sound Design - 8 & Halfilm Awards Rome

  • Best LGBTQIA+ Film - Paris Play Film Festival

  • Best LGBT Film First Time Director - Colors of Love International Queer Film Festival Punjab

For further info and to watch the full film click the link below:

Tup Lang Choreographic Award

2022 - Creative New Zealand

Annual award for a project supporting choreography in New Zealand contemporary dance.

The Tup Lang Choreographic Award includes a total investment of up to $10,000 towards a specific project. 

https://creativenz.govt.nz/News-and-blog/2022/12/08/23/00/44/Kit-Reilly-awarded-the-Tup-Lang-Choreographic-Award

Bill Sheat Dance Award

2021 Inaugural Recipient

The Bill Sheat Dance Award is an annual grant awarded on merit to support a dancer committed to advancing their dance career. The successful candidate must demonstrate how they intend to contribute and commit to the future dance environment in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Kit is the inaugural recipient of this award - a legacy award in memory of a huge arts philanthropist and advocate Bill Sheat OBE, CNZM who sadly passed away.

For further reading please visit the following link:

https://northsidelive.co.nz/northsidelive/northside-live/catching-up-with-kit-reilly/

From left to right: John Twomey (ASB). Kit Reilly, Phil Brosnan (North Harbour Club President)

North Harbour Club AIMES Awards

2020 Arts Award winner: Sponsored by ASB

The North Harbour Club & Charitable Trust awards grants annually to outstanding young people, aged 10 to 25, who are achieving excellence in their respective field. Past winners include Lorde, Lydia Ko and Eliza McCartney.

Kit was presented with this $15,000 Arts Award for his multidisciplinary arts success.

Footage from AIMES Awards Gala 2020

Further Success

2022 - Recipient of a Peacocke Dance Trust Grant towards a solo choreographic Residency at Orsolina28 in Italy

2022 - Recipient of a Todd Trust Grant towards dancing at Springboard Danse Montreal

2019 - Recipient of the Wellesley Studios Choreographic Residency

2018 - Recipient of a Todd Trust Grant for professional development in London