Dave Gibson’s speech, delivered in key centres around New Zealand in late February/early March 2014, included information about the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) repositioning its sales agency function.
The NZFC will no longer take on sales responsibilities for any new short or feature films. For those films for which we are currently the sales agent, we will either look to place the more recent or high-profile titles (either individually or as a package) with other sales agents or, in the case of older titles, these will become part of a new library catalogue and remain under our care.
We are currently in the process of contracting a consultant with international sales agency experience to manage this repositioning. The consultant will oversee the transition of the films to new sales agencies in consultation and with the approval of copyright holders and (where applicable) any other relevant parties. This process will commence 1 April 2014.
The consultant will work with NZFC staff to conclude all negotiations, documentation and contracting and will also develop and write policy and processes for the NZFC’s ongoing role in relation to:
- films that are retained in the NZFC’s library catalogue
- future productions
- our festival strategy for films with NZFC involvement with a view to meeting wider stakeholder needs including those of other Government organisations such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.
We have written to producers to inform them of these changes and look forward to being able to advise them on estimated timelines for the transition of their films.
We also look forward to being able to announce the consultant in due course.
Our aim is to work with filmmakers to achieve the best possible outcomes for their film or films as an investor, a cultural agency and as a champion of New Zealand films.