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New Zealand Film Commission | October 2024 Update
From the CEO
Tēnā koutou katoa,
Along with helping filmmakers share New Zealand stories with the world, the Film Commission is in the business of driving business to our shores.
Attracting international productions to New Zealand is vital work and directly fuels the $1.5 billion contribution the screen industry makes to our economy. Local studios, digital services, post-production facilities, and production service companies are part of a sector employing thousands and significantly contributing to the $1.5 billion. These businesses rely on us to be strategic and facilitate inward investment by promoting New Zealand to major industry players, who can provide a steady flow of international productions.
As we continue to invest in this vital mahi, attracting international productions to New Zealand is becoming increasingly competitive. Our stunning landscapes, skilled creatives, and high productivity offer a compelling value proposition on top of our filming incentives. But competition is fierce, and we need to be in to win.
The next move is to scale our presence in strategic locations to maintain relevance and in turn attract the top-tier projects we need in New Zealand. Effort in the right places will yield dividends, both in short-term successes and long-term gains for our sector.
Lights, camera, jobs.
Ngā mihi nui,
Annie Murray
Registration of Interest Open for films in te reo Māori
We’re issuing a call for Registrations of Interest for the He Pounamu te Reo Māori Feature Film Initiative. We’d love to hear from anyone with a story they want to develop in te reo Māori, as well as those with production-ready projects. Email us at rautaki@nzfilm.co.nz with the information below. We’ll then arrange a time to follow up and discuss your project.
- Name of the project
- Key contact person and details
- Synopsis
- Indicate if there is an existing script (not necessary)
- Supply any writers’ notes (if any)
- Supply team names of writer/director/ producer (if existing)
- Supply an idea of the budget level and market partners (if production ready)
Eyes on our PDV Sector
The recent New Zealand Screen Production Rebate webinars on the Post, Digital, and Visual Effects (PDV) Rebate were a resounding success. Attendees left with a clear understanding of how to leverage the rebate to grow business and build capacity in post-production, VFX, and digital production right here in New Zealand.
The PDV Rebate isn’t just a financial boost; it’s a strategic investment in this growing industry, enabling local businesses to reinvest, innovate, and expand. The rebate is actively helping position New Zealand as a world-class destination for post-production and visual effects services.
Managing Conflicts of Interests at NZFC
Drawing from our small community of professionals for board and employee roles means we have the expertise and industry experience we need at the New Zealand Film Commission. Though given the size of our industry, conflicts of interest may arise.
This creates unique circumstances we must manage transparently to ensure fairness, while also tapping into the talent available in the sector. For this reason, the Film Commission has one of the most stringent conflict of interest policies across the public sector. All staff and board members are required to declare their interests when they begin their role, and this is reviewed regularly. You can read our policy here.
Hui: Changes to Terms of Trade and Development Funding Process
We are mid-way through a review of our Terms of Trade and working to simplify our development funding process. Following positive consultation with experienced producers on Terms of Trade, we would like to engage further with wider industry. We are running several online and in person hui to discuss potential changes to both Terms of Trade and development funding process. See below for dates:
Monday 25 November 2-4pm | Online
- For regional feature filmmakers – online (link will be sent on the day)
Tuesday 26 November 10am-1pm | *Auckland
- For experienced filmmakers. This session is open to writers, directors and producers who have produced a feature film.
Wednesday 27 November 10am-12pm | Online
- General – all filmmakers welcome – online (link will be sent on the day)
Thursday 28 November 10am-1pm | **Wellington
- For experienced filmmakers. This session is open to writers, directors and producers who have produced a feature film.
To confirm your attendance, please email consultation@nzfilm.co.nz with your name and which session you will attend. | *Auckland Office is Level 1, 14 Maidstone Street, Grey Lynn. | **Wellington Office is Level 3, 119 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro.
IN SHORT
- The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Survey is still open. Help us collect the data we need to get an accurate representative picture of the industry. You can fill out the survey here.
- As part of the Share the Knowledge/Compton Business School’s Practical Producing Season 2: Producers Toolkit, NZFC staff will be presenting at a New Zealand Screen Production Rebate session (8-9pm, Thursday 21 November 2024) and a Co-Production session (8-9pm, Thursday 5 December 2024). Go here to register your attendance.
NZFC Payment and Holiday Closure Dates
- The last day for NZFC payments will be 19 December 2024 and the first in the new year will be 16 January 2025.
- All invoices need to be approved by COB on 18 December 2024 and COB on 15 January 2025.
- NZFC will be closed from Monday 23 December 2024, reopening Monday 6 January 2025.
In memoriam: Faith Dennis
Faith Dennis was a New Zealand Film Commission Script Development Coordinator from May 2010 – December 2013 and Marketing and Sales Executive from December 2013 – October 2014. RIP dearest Faith.
