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Thursday 12 December 2019
NZFC Holiday Hours
The NZFC offices will be closed from 21 December until 6 January 2020. We would like to wish you all a very happy holiday season and all the best for 2020.
Bellbird Wins at Macao International Film Festival
Hamish Bennett, writer and director of New Zealand feature film, Bellbird, was the recipient of the Best Screenplay award at the Macao International Film Festival, last night.
Currently in theatrical release in New Zealand, Bellbird has enjoyed an eight-festival run. The film premiered In Competition at the Sydney Film Festival before premiering in New Zealand at the New Zealand International Film Festival. Earlier this month the film screened as part of the Hawaii International Film Festival.
Screen Daily said of the film, “Actions clearly speak louder than words in this sensitive, hopeful feature, a message that shapes Bellbird’s thematic landscape as it unpacks the strong, silent strain of masculinity, and also describes the cast’s measured yet moving performances.”
And Variety said, "The notes it hits may not be new, but they are plangent and pleasant as small bells, exquisitely tuned." More...
Fresh Shorts Development Lab 2019
From 106 applications 16 stand-out projects were selected to attend the Fresh Shorts Residential Development Lab held 8-10 November at Glam Camping Village, Karioitahi beach in Waikato.
The Development Lab provided a hot house of story development and professional development for the filmmakers and their projects. On day one Gina Dellabarca covered short film festival strategy, Jude McLaren spoke to the importance of generating the right materials for marketing and collateral, Louise Spraggon delivered an entertaining session on health and safety and Shuchi Kothari guided participants on making a good story great. This final session along with a screening of six award winning short films primed everyone for the following day which was dedicated to story development with their mentors. Day three started with one of the most popular session, delivered by Karin Williams, about creating a logline. Boosted talked about marketing around a crowd funding campaign, and lawyer Tim Riley spoke to legal matters including chain of title. There was an impromptu workshop on managing intimacy thanks to participant Jennifer Ward-Lealand, president of Equity New Zealand. This was held during everyone’s free time as many were keen to know correct process.
All teams continue to be mentored until they re-submit their projects late December. A decision about projects funded will be announced early February.
To find out more about the participants and their films go to the Script to Screen website
Production Funding Decisions
The Board approved three applications for production financing at the November meeting and conditional offers have been made to:
Millie Lies Low
When a broke and anxiety-ridden architecture grad misses her flight to New York for a prestigious internship, she decides to fake having made it to New York, while lying low in her home town, scrounging for another ticket. Produced by Desray Armstrong and Angela Littlejohn, written by Michelle Savill, Co-Written by Eli Kent. Directed by Michelle Savill.
Whina
The love story behind the woman who changed a nation. Produced by Matthew Metcalfe and Tainui Stephens, written by James Lucas and co-directed by James Napier-Robertson and Paula Whetū Jones.
The Power of the Dog
The Power of the Dog is a story of predator and prey with a sting in the tail that lingers long after it reaches it’s electrifying conclusion.
Written and directed by Jane Campion and produced by Emile Sherman, Iain Canning, Roger Frappier, Jane Campion and Tanya Seghatchian.
Wellington is now a UNESCO “city of film”
In October Wellington’s film community was recognised by UNESCO which named New Zealand’s capital as an international City of Film, alongside Mumbai (India), Potsdam (Germany), Valladolid (Spain) and Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina).
Part of UNESCO’s Creative Cities network, Wellington is one of 66 new cities to join the 246 strong network which recognises cities who put emphasis on developing their creative sectors within music, arts and folk crafts, design, cinema, literature, digital arts or gastronomy.
The Mayor of Wellington Andy Foster says film is a huge part of Wellington’s cultural identity. More...
Vale Joe Moodabe
The NZFC joins the New Zealand film industry in farewelling veteran exhibitor, Joe Moodabe.
Born into a cinema family, Joe, alongside brothers Royce and Michael, started his industry career working for Amalgamated, a chain of cinemas owned and operated by his father and uncle with investment from 20th Century Fox. More...
R.I.P. Arthur Baysting
The NZFC and the New Zealand entertainment industry were saddened to hear that Arthur Baysting passed away on Tuesday 3 December.
Among his many achievements, Baysting co-wrote the screenplay for Sleeping Dogs with Ian Mune, following earlier collaboration with Mune and director Roger Donaldson on 1976’s adaptation of classic New Zealand short stories Winners and Losers. More...
Three Projects Selected for Catalyst He Kauahi Funding
Catalyst He Kauahi supports New Zealand filmmakers to progress their talents to the next stage and make exceptional, high end narrative short films that will ignite the flame and be the catalyst for change in their career.
Three teams have been offered funding in the September 2019 round. All teams have been funded for a total of $100,000 ($90,000 towards their short film and $10,000 towards development of the feature film concept).
Family Tree, written by Michele Powles, directed by Alyx Duncan and produced by Lani-rain Feltham and Emma Slade.
Green Datsun written by Mark Albiston and J. Patrick MCElroy, directed by Albiston and produced by Sharlene George and Rickylee Russell Waipuka.
Breathe, written and directed by Stephen Kang and produced by Mhairead Connor. More...
Auckland Live Digital Stage
If you're in Auckland over summer get ready for a stellar line-up of local and international films screening on the Auckland Live Digital Stage in partnership with NZIFF, Doc Edge, Screenies and Show Me Shorts.
Screenings begin on Thursday 5 December with Hunt for the Wilderpeople and continue every Thursday and Sunday until 9 February. Other NZ films include Hip Hop-eration, Poi-E: The Story of our Song, No. 2 and New Zealand Shorts. Don't miss the stellar line-up of films in Auckland CBD's Aotea Square this summer - all for free! More...
Moe mai rā , Haere atu rā
The New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) and the New Zealand screen industry are saddened by the passing of actor, director and writer Nancy Brunning (Ngāti Raukawa and Ngāi Tūhoe) on Saturday 16 November 2019, after a long battle with cancer.
She leaves behind a lasting legacy of Māori stories and characters, on stage, and on screen and will be deeply missed by New Zealand’s film and theatre communities.
Best known as Nurse Jaki Manu on Shortland Street, joining the cast for the show’s first episode, straight out of drama school, Nancy was an actor, director, producer, dramaturg, administrator and a representative of Kaupapa Whakaari. More...
In Cinemas
Coming Soon...
The Legend of Baron To'a
In New Zealand cinemas from 20 February. You can view the trailer here.
2020 Releases
Guns Akimbo - 5 March
This Town - 23 April
Savage - 11 June
New Zealand Producers Participate in EAVE Ties That Bind On Demand in Singapore
Following a competitive application process, seven experienced and emerging New Zealand screen producers were selected to participate in EAVE Ties That Bind On Demand in Singapore in early December.
The three-day workshop combines plenary lectures/masterclasses, group work and roundtables. Participants will also explore and foster opportunities for Europe-Asia-New Zealand co-production and other collaboration, and take part in the Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF) and ScreenSingapore. More...
Update to NZSPG International Criteria
Please be advised that the NZSPG Criteria for International Productions dated 1 July 2017 has been updated.
This is a minor technical update which took effect on 1 December 2019 and will apply to productions commencing Principal Photography, or PDV Activity, in New Zealand on or after this date. More...
New Zealand Producer to Get South Korean Film Industry Insight
A young New Zealand filmmaker will gain cultural and industry insights when he heads to South Korea thanks to a new partnership between the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono and the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC).
Auckland-based producer and director Benjamin Brooking will spend a month in Korea from mid-December 2019 working with the global team of CJ Entertainment, meeting other directors and producers and visiting production sets. More...
The Power of Inclusion Videos
The Power of Inclusion Summit was held in Auckland's Aotea Centre 3-4 October hosted by the NZFC and Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI), with support from The Walt Disney Studios. The two-day programme included 66 speakers presenting views from diverse global communities and positing future action to create a more inclusive industry and world.
Video of a range of speakers and panels is available to view here.
Filmmaker Opportunities
2020 WIFT NZ Awards
WIFT NZ is calling for nominations for the 2020 WIFT NZ Awards.
The WIFT AWARDS are a biennial event to be held on the 2 April, 2020, at ASB Waterfront Theatre, Auckland. Tickets will go on sale in the new year.
Anyone can nominate, you can nominate yourself, but nominees must be women in the New Zealand screen industry - though they do not have to be WIFT members.
Nominations close at 3pm on Friday 20 December. This is your opportunity to celebrate and profile the work of women in the screen industry. It’s a privilege to shine a light on someone deserving, don’t miss your opportunity to do so! Please take the time to make the best justification possible for your nominees – do not assume that all of the judges will know them.
Nominations may be made here.
Upcoming Finance & Co-Production Markets
Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) 2020
25-27 March 2020
Application Deadline: 31 December 2019 (WIP Projects)
Hot Docs Forum
5-6 May 2020 (Forum)
5-7 May 2020 (Deal Maker)
Application Deadline: 6 January 2020 (Forum)
20 January 2020 (Deal Maker)
Mifa Pitches
16-18 June 2020
Application Deadline: 5 February 2020
Doc/Fest MeetMarket
Sheffield, UK
4-9 June 2020
Application Deadline:14 February 2020
Upcoming International Activity
NZFC staff are preparing for offshore festival and market activity in early 2020. If you’re planning to attend Sundance, Rotterdam, Berlin or any other international festival, market or conference from now until the end of the first quarter of 2020, we’d love to hear from you.
Drop us a line via international@nzfilm.co.nz with details of your planned attendance, so we can ensure you’re looped into all relevant communications and event planning.
Upcoming Festival Deadlines
Edinburgh International Film Festival – Earlybird deadline December 12
Seattle International Film Festival – Regular deadline December 13
Full Frame Documentary Film Festival – Late deadline December 15
DOXA Documentary Film Festival – Regular deadline December 20
Busan International Short Film Festival – Deadline December 31
Palm Springs International ShortFest – Regular deadline January 5
San Sebastian Human Rights Film Festival – Deadline January 6
Tel Aviv International Documentary Film Festival – Deadline January 14
Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival – Short film deadline January 18, Feature film deadline February 7
Sydney Film Festival – Deadline January 31
Short Shorts Film Festival Japan – Late deadline January 31
Annecy International Animation Film Festival – Short film deadline February 15, Feature film deadline March 15
Vai
Festival News
Five New Zealand feature films screened at the Hawaii International Film Festival in October: Vai, Bellbird, For My Father's Kingdom, Daffodils and Mo Te Iwi: Carving for the People.
Short film, Liliu, written and directed by Jeremiah Tauamiti and produced by Ngaire Fuata received the award for Best Narrative Short at the festival.
Vai screened at the Musee du Quai Branly in Paris last month, as the opening night film of the ‘Films d’auteur/Langues ancestrales (Author Films/Ancestral Languages)’ programme, Festival du cinéma autochtone.
Director Becs Arahanga was in attendance and participated in a directors’ roundtable discussion on the challenges and possibilities of representing indigenous languages onscreen, along with filmmakers Warwick Thornton (Samson and Delilah) and Itandehui Jansen (Tiempo de Lluvia) with Nu Kahnu (lead actor, Tiempo de Lluvia)
Further information from the Smithsonian website can be found here.
The New Zealand Film Commission will be in the market at the 2020 Clermont Ferrand International Short Film Festival, 31 January - 8 February. Please contact talentdev@nzfilm.co.nz if you are planning on attending.
Congratulations go to...
Writer/director Matasila Freshwater for being awarded the SPADA New Filmmaker of the Year award at the recent 27th Anniversary SPADA Conference in Auckland.
Orlando Stewart on receiving the Crombie Lockwood Independent Producer of the Year award also at the SPADA Conference.
Bill Gosden for receiving the 2019 SPADA / Data Book Industry Champion Award. You can read more about the SPADA Award recipients here.
Gaylene Preston for being named Best Director Documentary/Factual at the Huawei Mate30 Television Awards on 21 November, and to her and the team behind My Year With Helen for being awarded the NZ On Air Best Documentary at the same event.
Ant Timpson for taking home the award for Best Director at Toronto After Dark Film Festival for his film Come to Daddy.
The New Zealanders recognised at the Hollywood Screen Awards: Anthony McCarten on receiving the Hollywood Screenwriter Award for The Two Popes and Ra Vincent for receiving the award for Production Design for his work on Jojo Rabbit.
Chelsie Preston Crayford on winning the Emerging Director Award at the SF Shorts Festival for short films, Imposter and Falling Up.
Actor, writer, producer and director Sam Neill for being the recipient of the 2019 Equity New Zealand Lifetime Achievement Award, Presented by Ryman Healthcare. Sam was nominated for this award by New Zealand performers and selected by the board of Equity New Zealand. Sam was also honoured by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards with the Longford Lyell Award, the academy’s highest honour.
Rebecca Tansley and Robin Laing for The Heart Dances: The Journey of The Piano- the ballet being awarded the Focus on the Arts Award at the Naples International Film Festival in Florida.
Keely Meechan for her short film, Nancy From Now On being the Audience Choice Award recipient at the ImagineNATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival.
Catherine Fitzgerald for receiving a development grant from the MPA APSA Academy Film Fund for Sweet Lips. Established in 2010, the fund is intended to stimulate film production in the Asia-Pacific region. The fund awards four development grants of US$25,000 annually.
Daffodils for being judged Best Feature Film at this year’s Regional Asian Academy Creative Awards. Daffodils won the award for Australia and New Zealand and will represent the region at the finals in Singapore in December.
NZFC News
Rautaki Funds Opening in the New Year
Te Aupounamu Māori Excellence Award
Nominations for Te Aupounamu Māori Screen Excellence Award opened on Monday 9 December 2019.
The annual award is a way of recognising and celebrating members of the Māori filmmaking community who have displayed a high-level contribution and/or achievement in filmmaking.
You will find more details and how to apply here.
Please keep an eye on our website for other new and existing Rautaki funds opening in the New Year:
Talent Development funding
- Tuakana Teina Fund offering mentoring support for Māori key creatives
- Rangatahi Youth Development Fund for collectives and organisations to run development programmes for young Māori creatives
Development Funding
- Te Reo Development Fund for the development of Te Reo Māori shorts, features and online content.
- He Ara Development Fund to for Māori and Pacific Island filmmaking teams and collectives to develop a slate of projects opening in March.
Production Financing
- He Pounamu Te Reo Māori Feature Film Initiative for dramatic feature films in Te Reo Māori opening in late February.
For more information on any of these funds please visit our website or email rautaki@nzfilm.co.nz
NZFC Releases 2018-19 Annual Report
The New Zealand Film Commission’s Annual Report 2018/19 was tabled in Parliament on 3 December.
Releasing the report NZFC Chair Kerry Prendergast said, “For me, one of the most satisfying parts of the last year has been seeing the introduction of a broad range of new funding programmes offering support to filmmakers whose voices have been historically under-represented. These have included production financing for women-led films (125 Fund), and films with Māori filmmakers in key creative roles (Te Rautaki Feature Film Initiative) as well as for films in Te Reo Māori (He Pounamu). $5.8M of production financing has been invested into these programmes with a further $290,000 invested into four new development funds.” More...
Staff news
Christina Andreef has rejoined the NZFC team as Development Executive while Rouzie Hassanova is on maternity leave.
Jane Simons has moved into the Development and Production Assistant role, replacing Lucy Campagnolo. Jane was formerly the NZFC's Front of House Co-ordinator.
Chantelle Watts has been appointed Te Rautaki Assitant, working with Pou Whakahaere Karen Waaka-Tibble. Chantelle has been working as an assistant to both the Talent Development and International Attractions teams for over a year.
External Assessor Process for Production and Development Funding
The NZFC engages a range of local and international individuals who have various specialisations across the areas of development, finance, production and/or film licencing of screen content (External Assessors).
While some of these individuals specialise in specific areas (for example documentary, animation, interactive projects), all External Assessors provide a useful and an independent perspective on funding applications to NZFC staff. More...
NZFC Survey
The NZFC would like to check in with the industry more regularly and will start conducting twice-yearly surveys to ascertain the overall mood in the industry.
These surveys will be very short and should take no more than five minutes to complete. If you receive a survey link from us, we would appreciate it if you would take a moment to fill it out.
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