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Friday 11 December 2020
Premium Productions for International Audiences Fund (Pūtea Kiriata Hiranga - Premium Fund)
Speaking at the Big Screen Symposium in Auckland on Saturday 5 December, the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Hon Carmel Sepuloni launched the Premium Productions for International Audiences Fund (Pūtea Kiriata Hiranga - Premium Fund), making $50 million available in a unique opportunity for the screen sector to tell New Zealand’s stories to a global audience.
The purpose of the Pūtea Kiriata Hiranga - Premium Fund is to support the New Zealand production sector to recover from COVID-19 and capitalise on New Zealand’s current production advantage and support the sector with employment opportunities.
Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga - New Zealand Film Commission, Irirangi Te Motu New Zealand On Air and Te Māngai Pāho have worked closely on the design of the Pūtea Kiriata Hiranga - Premium Fund and will continue to work together throughout the implementation stages.
The NZFC will be responsible for administering the Pūtea Kiriata Hiranga - Premium Fund and guidelines are available now. Applications will be made via the NZFC's funding portal, at a date to be advised.
Live Webinar – Wednesday 16 December
Join CEO Annabelle Sheehan, Head of Development and Production Leanne Saunders, Head of Marketing Jasmin McSweeney and Moderator Molly Littlejohn for a live webinar on Wednesday 16 December.
The panel will update on the Screen Sector Recovery Funds (Pūtea Kiriata Hiranga - Premium Fund, Capability Fund and Screen Production Recovery Fund) and the new data room on the NZFC's website.
The NZFC will also cover any unanswered questions received from the Big Screen Symposium panels regarding the Pūtea Kiriata Hiranga - Premium Fund and the NZFC presentation as well as any other arising questions you may have.
How to join the Q & A
Join the event here at 5pm on Wednesday 16 December.
- This will open a new tab in your browser
- Click 'watch on the web' instead
- If you have a Microsoft account, sign in; if not, attend anonymously
To ask a question, click 'Ask a question' in the bottom right hand corner of the screen. Enter your name and type your question.
New Zealand Films Top New Zealand Box Office
Seven NZFC-financed films have released in New Zealand cinemas since re-opening after COVID-19 lockdowns with strong box office results.
This Town opened in early August on 114 screens and topped the box office charts in its opening week, a position it held until it dropped to number two in week four with Tenet taking the number one spot.
Savage, which released in September on 97 screens, also rocketed to the top of the box office charts, retaining that spot for its first three weeks. The film is still in some cinemas and has to date made over $1.5M, placing it as the 17th highest-grossing NZFC film of all time.
Six60: Till The Lights Go out was released in late November and topped the box office charts in its opening week and remains in cinemas on 88 screens.
The total box office for NZFC films in 2020 to date is over $3.6M. In comparison, the total box office for NZFC films in 2019 was just over $1M.
New Look Website
The NZFC website has been given a refresh following a review process which included a survey of site users, heatmapping and in-person user testing by stakeholders.
New to the site is the Data Room which offers information and data relating to funding application and approval volumes, funding amounts, the gender and ethnic diversity of filmmakers and other research of interest to New Zealand’s screen industry.
NZFC Holiday Hours
The NZFC will be closed from midday 24 December until 11 January 2021.
We would like to wish you all a Meri Kirihimete, a very happy holiday season and here's hoping for a fabulous 2021.
Vale Bill Gosden
Last month we farewelled industry stalwart, long-time New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) director, Bill Gosden MNZM.
For 40 years, until his retirement early in 2019 due to ill health, Bill Gosden helmed the NZIFF, curating challenging and exciting programmes of films for New Zealand audiences. Each year he and his team watched hundreds of films to select the right mix of classics, short films, foreign language titles, documentaries and animation to enthral and delight cinephiles across the country.
Bill was a tireless champion of New Zealand film and filmmakers. His programming was instrumental in launching the careers of numerous local filmmakers including Dame Gaylene Preston, Vincent Ward, Dame Jane Campion, Tusi Tamasese, Florian Habicht, Sima Urale, Pietra Brettkelly, Heperi Mita, Sir Peter Jackson, Taika Waititi and many more. More...
Catalyst He Kauahi Funding Decisions
Catalyst He Kauahi supports New Zealand filmmakers to make exceptional, high end narrative short films that will ignite the flame and be the catalyst for change in their career.
Two filmmaking teams have been offered funding in the latest round and will receive a $90,000 grant towards their short film and $10,000 towards development of their feature concept.
The Rider
Director: Awanui Simich-Pene
Producer: Mia-Marama Henry-Teirney
Writer: Heperi Mita
Logline: In 1820s Aotearoa, a young Māori girl’s first contact with a horse exposes her to the best and worst of her rapidly changing world.
Hello Earthling
Producer: Desray Armstrong
Writer/Director: Jamie Lawrence
Logline: In a small mountainside town, an isolated child who knows themself to be neither boy nor girl experiences life-changing events after an encounter with a mysterious stranger.
Kōpere Hou Fresh Shorts Shortlist Announced
Congratulations to the 18 projects and teams who have been shortlisted for Kōpere Hou - Fresh Shorts 2020!
A panel of external film industry assessors shortlisted 18 projects out of a total of 97 applications. These shortlisted teams have been invited to apply for Stage Two where they submit a full application.
Six projects from the 18 shortlisted teams will be selected, giving the teams a one in three chance of workshopping their project with industry experts and receiving a grant of $15,000 to make their film. More...
Interactive Development Funding
We are pleased to announce the nine successful applicants for Whakawhanake Te Ao Niko - Interactive Development Fund. The programme supports concept development of original narrative-focused interactive and games content delivered on any platform (including mobile, online, console as well as virtual reality (including 360) and augmented reality).
Atua - Piki Films
Seedlings - Peter Bardsley
Shadow Work - Raqi Syed
Arid - Project Limbus
ShelfLife - Thomas Barrer
Tuwhiri - ARA Journeys
The Last Kauri - Philip Maskell/ Weta Interactive
The Last Mountain - Midnight Pixel Studio
Te Karere - Tamati Luther Kawha
Find out more about these projects here.
Production Funding Decisions
The Board approved three applications for production financing at the December meeting and conditional offers have been made to:
Dox
In a bid to get free tickets to the Tonga vs France - 2011 Rugby World Cup game, two ambitious Tongan men fabricate a brass band to perform at the opening.
Produced by Morgan Waru. Written by Halaifonua Finau and Damon Fepulea'i. Directed by Damon Fepulea'i.
Fiona Clark: Unafraid
Artist Fiona Clark, a misfit in society and yet a fearless storyteller who has spent a lifetime championing the unseen, whether it be individuals, hidden communities, or the land she inhabits. Fiona lives Unafraid.
Produced by Matt Noonan and Siobhan Price. Written and directed by Lula Cucchiara.
The Swifty
A neurotic ex-thief tries to break up with his partner in crime but is instead dragged into an absurd caper that makes him lose grip on reality.
Produced by Jill Macnab and Sarah Cook. Written and directed by Michael Duignan.
NZFC CEO Annabelle Sheehan said, "It's great to see these new local productions greenlit. A large number of local films have been in production during the second half of the year, shooting in the Queenstown, Auckland, Northland and East Coast regions."
Screen Production Recovery Fund
The Screen Production Recovery Fund will remain open until 30 June 2021. Since the last newsletter update, a further nine applications have been approved to date and over $4.5M has been awarded to 21 projects.
Features
Cook Ngā Pouwhenua, produced by Mia-Marama Henry-Teirney, Toni Stowers and Mitchell Stanley, co-written and co-directed by (NZ) Tim Worrall and Richard Curtis; Renae Maihi; Tiraroa Reweti, Chantelle Burgoyne and Elise Francis; Miki Magasiva and Mario Gaoa; (AUS) Danielle MacLean; Dena Curtis; Tracey Rigney; and, Samuel Paynter and Beck Cole.
Dawn Raid, produced by Matthew Metcalfe and Leela Menon, directed by Oscar Kightley, written by Matthew Metcalfe.
Going, Going, produced by Georgina Conder and Philippa Campbell, directed and written by Loren Taylor.
Muru, produced by Reikura Kahi, Cliff Curtis and Selina Joe, directed and written by Tearepa Kahi.
Night Raiders, produced by Ainsley Gardiner, Georgina Conder and Chelsea Winstanley, directed and written by Danis Goulet.
Punch, produced by Robin Murphy and Catherine Fitzgerald, directed and written by Welby Ings.
The Unloving, produced by Victoria Dabbs, Bob Last and Barbara McKissack, directed and written by Graeme Maley.
Series
Mystic, produced by Richard Fletcher, Trevor Haysom and Carmen Leonard, directed by Peter Salmon, Aidee Walker and Michael Hurst, written by Beth Chalmers, Amy Shindler, Steph Matuku, Sam Shore and Stacy Gregg.
Short films
Washday, produced by Verity Mackintosh and Julian Arahanga, directed and written by Kath Akuhata-Brown.
Applicants should ensure they have obtained provisional offers of NZFC investment funding and/or a NZSPG - New Zealand provisional certificate by 30 April 2021 to meet the deadline of the Fund. We encourage productions to apply at the earliest opportunity.
He Ara Development Fund
E rau rangatira mā o te Ao Kiriata, tēnā koutou katoa,
He Ara funding is intended to support Māori and/or Pacific Island filmmakers to create a diverse range of quality New Zealand content using their own way of working.
Congratulations to the three teams selected to receive funding from Te Rautaki Māori’s He Ara Development fund.
Awa Films – $50,000
Patangaroa Entertainment Ltd – Business Development Grant: $25,000
The Brown Factory – Business Development Grant: $25,000
You can find out more about the He Ara recipients here.
Coming Soon
Shadow in the Cloud
In New Zealand Cinemas from 4 February 2021. You can view the teaser here.
Filmmaker Opportunities
Upcoming Finance & Co-Production Markets
Series Mania Forum's Co-Pro Pitching Sessions
Online & in-person
April - June 2021
Application deadline: 5 March 2021
Apply here.
Series Mania Forum’s oldest and most successful event, the Co-Pro Pitching Sessions, is now calling for submissions.
Every year, 15 series creators and producers are invited to pitch their series.
• Any producer with a drama series seeking international financing partners can apply to the program.
• A jury will award the winning project a grant for 50 000€.
This programme is not reserved for European projects. More...
Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) Work in Progress Initiative
Online & in-person
15 - 17 March 2021
Application deadline: 21 December 2020
Apply here.
The WIP initiative is designed for film projects that are in the later stage of production. The purpose of this initiative is to help producers and directors to secure post-production funds, meet distribution agents and film festival programmers. Directors and producers of the selected projects will be invited to the WIP to introduce their new films. More...
Mifa Pitches @ Annecy International Animation Film Festival
TBC
14-19 June 2021
Application deadline: 7 February 2021
Apply here.
Have a chance at being selected by taking part in the 2021 Mifa Pitches and find the partners and investors necessary to bring your project to fruition!
- Short Films
- Feature Films
- TV Series & Specials
- Digital Experiences
- Animation du Monde (category is open to all formats but reserved to territories where the animation industry is just emerging – see the list of eligible countries in the Terms and Conditions)
Important: Webseries projects can compete in the TV Series & Specials. More...
Upcoming Festival Deadlines
Doc Edge Festival – Regular deadline Dec 15 / Late deadline Jan 15
Heartland Indy Shorts International Film Festival – Earlybird deadline Dec 20 / Regular deadline March 7
IndieLisboa International Film Festival – Regular deadline Dec 23
Cannes Directors’ Fortnight – Short & Feature film earlybird deadline Dec 31
New York International Children’s Film Festival – Extended deadline Dec 31
Hong Kong International Film Festival – Regular deadline Dec 31
Odense International Short Film Festival – Earlybird deadline Jan 1
Skábmagovat Indigenous Peoples’ Film Festival – Regular deadline Jan 1
Oberhausen International Short Film Festival – International Online Competition deadline Jan 3
Seattle International Film Festival – Final deadline Jan 8
Full Frame Documentary Film Festival – Deadline Jan 8
Tribeca Film Festival – Final deadline Jan 13
Sheffield Doc/Fest – Regular deadline Jan 15
Palm Springs International Shorts Fest - Regular deadline Jan 15
Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival – International short film deadline Jan 17 / Feature film deadline Feb 5
AFI Docs Film Festival – Earlybird deadline Jan 22 / Regular deadline Feb 19 / Late deadline March 12
Short Shorts Film Festival Japan – Final deadline Jan 31
Heartland International Film Festival – Earlybird deadline Feb 7
Sydney Film Festival – Deadline Feb 26
Fantasia Film Festival – Earlybird deadline Feb 28
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival – Regular deadline Feb 28 / Late deadline March 31
Zlín International Film Festival For Children and Youth – Deadline March 1
Cannes Film Festival – Short film deadline March 1 / Feature film deadline March 5
Cannes Critics’ Week - Short & Feature film deadline March 8
Melbourne International Film Festival – December deadline Dec 31 / January deadline Jan 31 / February deadline Feb 28 / Final deadline March 16
Virtual Market Participation
NZFC staff have participated in a number of virtual markets to assist with projects that have potential to be structured as co-productions, and to profile New Zealand as a potential co-production partner.
Some recent highlights have been:
Taiwan Creative Content Fest’s Golden Horse Projects Online Pitching (Taiwan), International Broadcast Co-Production Conference (IBCC) (Korea), Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event (Estonia), and Asia Film & TV Forum (Singapore).
NZFC co-produced, with SPADA, an AFM Online panel session, ‘New Zealand: Challenges and Opportunities for Film in a COVID World’ moderated by Patrick Frater (Asia Editor, Variety) with Richard Fletcher, Chelsea Winstanley and Rob Tapert.
Festival and Market News
Feature film This Town had its international premiere at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, screening online and in physical cinemas as part of the ‘Rebels With A Cause’ competition. Three short films from New Zealand filmmakers also screened at 2020 PÖFF Shorts, part of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and newly Oscar Accredited. Fresh Shorts - funded Daniel screened with Money Honey in the ‘Shorts Live-Action’ competition and GURL was presented in the ‘Shorts Alternatives’ programme.
Hawaii International Film Festival celebrated its 40th anniversary this year, with four New Zealand features and six short films screened online and in physical cinemas. Baby Done had its international premiere exclusively in cinemas, as part of the festival’s Pacific Showcase programme. Feature film Mauri also screened with Loimata The Sweetest Tears, Tupaia’s Endeavour and short films Daddy’s Girl, Biggie & Shrimp, Our Love, Reunion, Ruahine: Stories In Her Skin and Walk A Mile.
Vai was presented as part of the University of Glasgow’s Week of Indigenous Filmmaking online screening programme, as well as at the Dharamshala International Film Festival.
An Angel At My Table will screen at Filmpodium in Zurich, from a 35mm print on loan from the National Swiss Film Archive.
Mauri will be presented as part of the NZ Film Societies’ 2021 programme, screening alongside Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen. Full screening information and locations will be announced in February.
Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen will also screen at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū next month, as part of Te Wheke exhibition.
Short film Flip will screen online as part of the 2020 Oltre lo specchio (Through the Looking Glass) International Film Festival, Milan.
Congratulations go to...
New Zealand-Chinese co-production, Mosley, which won the Golden Dolphin Award for Best Animated Feature Film at China’s 13th Xiamen International Animation Festival.
All the award recipients at the 2020 WIFT Awards which were held on Thursday 3 December in Auckland. You will find a full list of nominees and winners here.
Libby Hunsdale for being awarded the Youth Courage Aware at the Attitude Awards. Libby will soon be seen in the title role of Linda Niccol's upcoming film, Poppy.
Writer-director Leanne Pooley and producers Cass Avery and Alex Reed for their film, The Girl on the Bridge being recognised by the Jury of the 2020 North Dakota Human Rights Film Festival with the Samuel Sprynczynatyk Storyteller Award for Best Documentary Feature.
Writer-director Claire van Beek and producer Alix Whittaker for their short film Daniel which received the Best Cinematography Award at 2020 Sapporo International Short Film Festival.
To the recipients of The Arts Foundation's Whakamana Hiranga – Icon Awards, Sam Neill for film, Dr Sandy Adsett for visual arts and Joy Cowley for literature. These are the highest honours given by the Arts Foundation and recognise the remarkable impact each artist has had on their practice, community, and the cultural landscape of Aotearoa.
Writer Aline Tran, director Bruno du Bois and producer Carlos Ramirez Laloli for their short film Zealandia receiving the Best Sci-Fi Award and Audience Award at the Cannes Short Film Festival, the Special Grand Jury Prize at La Paz International Film Festival, awards for Best Director, Outstanding Achievement Award (Visual FX), Best Sound Design, Best Costume Design and Best Special Makeup at Indie Short Fest, Best Director at Festival Fantastique de France, as well as the Best Sci-Fi Short Award at Hot Springs International Horror Film Festival.
All the winners at the New Zealand Television Awards with a special mention to the productions receiving the New Zealand Screen Production Grant - The Luminaries, The Gulf and Kiri and Lou – who won a combined ten awards.
NZFC News
New Deadline for Te Aupounamu Māori Screen Excellence Award
Due to an insufficient number of applications for Te Aupounamu Māori Screen Excellence Award, Te Rautaki Māori o Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga have decided to re-open the portal to receive further nominations.
Te Aupounamu Māori Screen Excellence Award re-opened Monday 7 December 2020 with a new deadline of Monday 25 January 2021.
All current applications remain valid and will be considered alongside any additional applications.
The Māori Screen Excellence Award will offer a maximum of a $50,000 grant to one recipient. Applications for this award are by nomination through the NZFC application portal by the new deadline Monday 25 January 2021.
Anyone can submit a nomination; however, nominees must be Māori and actively participating in the film industry in Aotearoa New Zealand or overseas.
We apologise for the delay in awarding Te Aupounamu Māori Screen Excellence Award.
You will find more information about Te Aupounamu Māori Screen Excellence Award here.
Aotearoa/New Zealand Film Heritage Trust – Te Puna Ataata
2020 has been a ‘slow but steady’ year for the Film Heritage Trust, as it has continued to grow the collection of films and screen productions under its care.
The Trust has recently decided to add ‘Aotearoa’ to its name, becoming the Aotearoa/New Zealand Film Heritage Trust – Te Puna Ataata. The Trustees feel this more accurately reflects the future of this country and the Trust.
In October this year, the Trust hosted a screening of one of its digitised films, Pictures (1981), produced by John O’Shea, directed by Michael Black, and co-written by Robert Lord and John O’Shea. The event was a huge success with a large contingent of whānau from Ngāti Rangi, where a lot of the film was shot on location, and several of the film’s cast and crew in attendance at The Roxy cinema in Miramar. The feedback about the film and the event was all very positive and the Trust is hoping to make such events a bi-annual affair.
Staff News
Nia Phipps has joined the Talent Development team to coordinate the NZFC’s Capability Funding rounds as part of the NZFCs response to COVID-19. She works closely with the industry guilds and talent development partners and is the lead contact for filmmaker enquiries for this fund. A screen producer with over 20 years’ experience. Nia has worked with brands across the screen sector such as Loading Docs, Radio New Zealand, TVNZ, NZME and Stuff delivering highly shareable content to millions of eyes. Nia and team received the 2017 NZ On Air Best Web Series for Loading Docs. She is part of The Rebel Film Collective and is a graduate of South Seas Film School NZ.
Development Funding Dates for 2021
Please see below for the dates of the 2021 rounds of the Early Development Fund and Documentary Development Fund.
The 2021 dates are also inclusive of Te Rautaki Māori development funding that run alongside these funds, Hāpaitia I te Kaupapa Kiriata: Māori Feature Film Support Fund and Tuhinga Reo Māori: Te Reo Māori Development Fund.
- Round 1 – Application Deadline: Monday 18 January 2021
Decisions Monday 15 March 2021 - Round 2 – Application Deadline: Monday 29 March 2021
Decisions Monday 24 May 2021 - Round 3 – Application Deadline: Monday 14 June 2021
Decisions Monday 23 August 2021 - Round 4 – Application Deadline: Monday 30 August 2021
Decisions Monday 25 October 2021 - Round 5 – Application Deadline: Monday 8 November 2021
Decisions Monday 20 December 2021
All dates are published on the NZFC website.
NZ Film On Demand
NZ Film On Demand, the NZFC's transactional VOD platform, offers over 190 feature and short films ranging from recent cinema releases to digitised back catalogue classics.
New releases to the platform include newly digitised classic Pictures, and feature films including One Thousand Ropes, Mt Zion, Chasing Great: Richie McCaw, Bellbird and Daffodils.
Due to a security concern around the DRM protecting films from piracy, playing films on some browsers has been restricted. This is a temporary measure which should be resolved by January. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. You can find NZ Film On Demand's technical support tips and information here.
See the full NZ Film On Demand collection and sign up for an account here.
Thanks for keeping up with what's going on in New Zealand film. Got a suggestion for us? Email us at feedback@nzfilm.co.nz.
Ngā mihi,
The NZFC Team