Fresh Shorts
Q & A
1. Where can I get some inspiration for my short film idea?
- Watch as many short films as you can – New Zealand or International; either online (i.e. YouTube Screening Room), at the NZ website NZonScreen or at the NZ Film Archive. Also through international websites – for example the Irish Film Board (http://www.thisisirishfilm.ie/shorts/) and the National Film Board of Canada (http://www.nfb.ca/). We encourage you to see what is being made, what is possible and also what has been done before.
- Think of stories that only you can tell and that could define you as a new storytelling voice. Look around at your life. Are you immersed in worlds that could be the setting for a short film idea? The best short film ideas can often be very simple!
2. Is there an age limit to apply for Fresh Shorts?
We anticipate that applicants will be 18 and over; however, if a filmmaker between 16 and 18 years of age would like to apply they will need to have a suitable adult mentor attached to the project.
3. I’m not from New Zealand, can I apply?
The director, writer and producer need to be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.
4. Can I put in more than one application to Fresh Shorts?
You are able to submit more than one application to Fresh Shorts; however you cannot submit the same application to both Fresh Shorts $10,000 and Fresh Shorts $30,000 – you must decide which funding level is suitable for you and for the project. This will be determined by your experience level as a director and also the nature of the project. If you do decide to submit more than one project we would encourage you to submit a maximum of one project at each level.
5. I am not sure whether to apply for Fresh Shorts $10,000 or Fresh Shorts $30,000. What should I do?
It is your decision as to what level of funding to apply for; however, please consider carefully your experience as a director as this is a determining factor, as well as the nature of the project. Each level of funding will be competitive, so please think carefully about your proposal, and submit the best application that you can to the appropriate fund.
6. Can I submit the same project to both Fresh Shorts and Premiere Shorts?
You can submit a project to both Fresh Shorts and Premiere Shorts; however Premiere Shorts is for experienced directors and the Executive Producers may not accept your application if they think it is more suitable for Fresh Shorts. Furthermore, the applications would need to reflect considerable changes in approach at both a directing and producing level. You cannot be funded by both Fresh Shorts and Premiere Shorts for the same project. If you would like more information about this, please contact freshshorts@nzfilm.co.nz
7. When will I find out if my Fresh Shorts application has been successful or not?
All applications go through an initial assessment phase via industry readers and NZFC readers. From this phase a short list of around 50 projects is drawn up (approximately 3 contenders for each funding space). Teams who have not made the short list will be notified via email and then the short list will be published online. The short list is then assessed by a panel made up of 3 external industry members and 2 NZFC staff members. Over a 2 day meeting up to 16 final films are selected for funding. Once the final funding decisions have been made the unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email then the list of funded films will be published. The funding announcement is intended for mid-September. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified as quickly as possible and will be offered feedback where possible however please be aware that there is a large number of submissions and sometimes these processes take longer than predicted. It is very important that you supply correct email details on your application.
8. If I am successful, how will the Fresh Shorts funds be offered to me and when?
Each successful project – at both $10,000 and $30,000 funding levels – will be offered funds as a grant. For both $10,000 and $30,000 projects, the filmmakers will receive funds in two installments, the first upon receipt of required documents including signed contracts and chain of title, and the second after the NZ Film Commission has viewed an edit of the film and had the opportunity to give feedback to the filmmakers.
9. If I am successful, who in my team will be paid the grant? And how will the installments be allocated?
For $10,000 if the application is successful, the grant will be distributed in three installments to the contracted party.
For $30,000 if the application is successful, the grant will be distributed in three installments to the contracted party.
The first installment of 90% will be paid once the contract between the filmmakers and the NZFC has been completed and the producer has delivered a letter confirming that the chain of title for the film is clear and unencumbered (signed by the writer and director). Two weeks prior to production a final script, budget and schedule are expected.
The second installment of 5% will be paid once the NZFC Short Film team has had a chance to view an edit and offer feedback to the filmmakers. The final 5% will be paid on delivery of the final contracted deliverables (i.e. tapes, DVDs, QT files as required).
The successful Applicant or Producer will need to send invoices with nominated account details, in order to access a drawdown. Invoices need to be sent to the NZFC Short Film Manager for approval.
10. If my application is successful, how much control will the NZ Film Commission have over my story?
The panel may give you notes and feedback regarding the draft you submit for funding, however the onus is on the filmmaker once the grant is offered and you do not need final script approval from the NZFC. However, you are welcome and encouraged to seek as much advice and feedback on the script from the NZFC Short Film team as you like before moving into production.
The NZFC Short Film team will require successful filmmakers to provide an edit of the film for feedback and advice before receiving the second drawdown. This feedback is offered to filmmakers as constructive advice. Filmmakers are not obliged to follow this advice and the drawdown of finances is not in any way contingent on NZFC feedback being incorporated.
So the NZFC Short Film team is really keen to give you feedback and advice regarding your script and edit (and anything else you need help with), to ensure that the film is the best that it can be, but ultimately it is your story and your film.
11. Can I get additional funding from other sources as well as the $10,000 or $30,000 Fresh Shorts grant?
Yes, you can secure additional funding from other sources to enhance the budget of your film, however, in your application to the NZ Film Commission you must provide a budget which shows that you can complete and deliver the film for the amount you are asking for – either $10,000 or $30,000 – regardless of whether you hope to secure additional funding. Extra funding could then be used to enhance the film’s budget, as opposed to meeting core elements. The reason for this is that we would need to be sure that you can finish the film for the amount granted.
12. Can I get sponsorship from other sources?
Yes, you can get sponsorship from other sources such as companies or individuals, but these would need to be discussed and approved by the NZ Film Commission, so please let us know what types of sponsorship you are hoping for when you apply to us. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the Fresh Shorts Assistant: freshshorts@nzfilm.co.nz.
13. Once I have received funding and made my film, what will NZ Film Commission expect from me?
Each $10,000 project will need to deliver the following to the NZ Film Commission:
· Uncompressed and compressed QuickTime
· High quality authored DVD
· Press kit
· 3 key film stills in jpeg format
Each $30,000 project will be required to deliver the following to the NZ Film Commission:
· Uncompressed and compressed QuickTime
· HD Cam master of the film
· High quality authored DVD
· Press kit
· 3 key film stills in jpeg format
14. What format should I shoot my film on?
There is no restriction on shooting formats except we recommend you shoot at the following frame rate: 23.98. All $30,000 films must be finished to HD Cam and DVD.
15. Where can I find out more information and contact other potential applicants?
If you’re looking for more information or other filmmakers to work with, look for Fresh Shorts on Facebook, feel free to post messages and connect with others. Also contact the Short Film team as we may be able to suggest others who you could team up with.
16. How long can my film be?
We anticipate the duration of your film will be between 4-25 minutes.
17. I’ve already shot my film. Can I still apply to Fresh Shorts for the money that I’ve already spent?
The NZ Film Commission is not able to retrospectively fund projects.
18. I’ve already shot my film. Can I still apply to Fresh Shorts for post production funding of my film?
Fresh Shorts is a production fund, and films must be completed to the required specifications within the funds granted. If you are hoping to secure post production funds as an extra amount to Fresh Shorts, please check our website for the Short Film Post Production Fund guidelines.
19. If my short film is funded by Fresh Shorts, will the NZ Film Commission submit the film to festivals once it’s completed?
20. What is a press kit?
A press kit is a document that promotes your film. It includes the following:
- Name of the film
- Key image still for the front cover
- Filmmaker contact details
- Key filmmaker names including writer, director, producer, key crew and key cast
- Screening formats, length, completion date
- One sentence describing the plot of the film
- A synopsis of the story (one paragraph describing the plot of the film)
- Director and/or Producers notes
- Director and/or Producers film biographies
- Full cast and crew list
21. Can you explain what significant NZ content is?
22. I am working on my application. How do I account for GST in my budget? Can you explain how this works?
The grant is for $10,000 or $30,000 + GST if the contracted party (you or the company that you plan to use for the production) are GST registered. If this is the case then you do not include GST in your budget.
If you are not GST registered then you will need to allow for GST within your budget. So for GST registered filmmakers, your budget will need to be either $10,000 + GST or $30,000 + GST, which you claim for, and then pay on to IRD as usual. For non-GST registered filmmakers, your budget will need to include GST within the total amount of funding - either $10,000 or $30,000.
You will need to remember that most quotes do NOT include GST. So check for this when looking at prices.
23. If my grant is successful, can I buy film equipment with the funds, rather than hiring it?
No, you are not able to buy assets with the grant funding.
24. If my grant is successful, how do I account for the funds? Do I need to keep receipts?
You will need to provide a cost report on delivery of the film, which outlines your expenses. You will need to keep all your receipts and provide them if an audit is required.
If you have any other questions regarding Fresh Shorts, please email the Fresh Shorts Assistant at freshshorts@nzfilm.co.nz