• New Appointments to the Film Commission

    News
    Issue date: 6 Mar 2019

    Aucklanders Sandra Kailahi and Anthony (Ant) Timpson have been appointed to the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC), Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Carmel Sepuloni announced today. “Both bring huge expertise and knowledge to the...

  • Rose Matafeo and Matthew Lewis to Star in New Piki Films Comedy Baby,Done

    News
    Issue date: 5 Mar 2019

    Production is underway in Auckland for Piki Films’ new feature film, Baby, Done staring Edinburgh Comedy Award-winner Rose Matafeo (The Breaker Upperers, Funny Girls) and English actor Matthew Lewis (Harry Potter,...

  • Closed Captions for Daffodils

    News
    Issue date: 1 Mar 2019

    Daffodils, a bittersweet love story told with beautiful re-imaginings of iconic New Zealand songs will be able to be enjoyed in cinemas by the hearing impaired alongside their hearing friends. In a first for a New Zealand film, Daffodils distributor,...

  • NZFC & Screen Australia Partner on Indigenous initiative

    News
    Issue date: 28 Feb 2019

    October 2019 and April 2020 respectively mark the 250th anniversary of James Cook’s maiden voyage to the Pacific, New Zealand and Australia. The New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) and Screen Australia’s Indigenous Department are partnering on a one-off...

  • Wellington Filmmakers Set to Develop Projects in Renowned Accelerator

    News
    Issue date: 22 Feb 2019

    The depth of talent in Wellington’s screen sector is once again on the global stage, with four participants joining Screen Canberra’s Accelerator Film Pod 2019, to develop and market-test feature film projects with strong commercial prospects. Screen...

  • Vale Peter Wells

    News
    Issue date: 21 Feb 2019

    With great sadness the NZFC and the New Zealand screen industry bids farewell to writer and director Peter Wells. A life-long lover of film, Peter’s first short film, Foolish Things (1980) was an experimental piece which screened in Australia and won...

  • Trailer for The Heart Dances Released

    News
    Issue date: 12 Feb 2019

    Rialto Distribution are thrilled to share with you the full theatrical trailer for The Heart Dances - the journey of The Piano: the ballet. The Heart Dances tracks the creation of The Piano: the ballet, commissioned by the Royal New Zealand Ballet....

  • Hui Whakawhānui Pūkenga: Extending Your Talent Opportunities For Story Assessment and Story Development With Louise Gough

    News
    Issue date: 25 Jan 2019

    The New Zealand Film Commission in partnership with Louise Gough (Australia) is offering two opportunities for a select group of industry professionals to elevate and upskill their story assessment and development skills for screen storytelling. Script...

  • Raupapa Whakaari: Drama to the World - Applications Open 18 February

    News
    Issue date: 4 Feb 2019

    The New Zealand Film Commission and NZ On Air in conjunction with Script to Screen present RAUPAPA WHAKAARI, a new initiative designed to develop and package distinctive high-end series drama for the international market. The initiative supports writer/...

  • Sundance Institute's Merata Mita Fellowship Awarded to New Zealand Filmmakers

    News
    Issue date: 29 Jan 2019

    The New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) congratulates Ainsley Gardiner and Briar Grace-Smith on receiving the 2019 Sundance Institute Merata Mita Fellowship announced at the Sundance Film Festival today.   Selected from a global call for...

  • New Zealand Women Directors in the Spotlight at 2019 Berlinale

    News
    Issue date: 17 Jan 2019

      A record number of New Zealand women directors are among the filmmakers to have films selected for the 2019 Berlin Film Festival. In total there are ten New Zealand films in official selection with a delegation of 28 New Zealand filmmakers...

  • Two New Zealand Films Head to SXSW

    News
    Issue date: 17 Jan 2019

    Two New Zealand films have been announced to screen at the prestigious SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas in March.  The Chills: The Triumph & Tragedy of Martin Phillipps will have its world premiere at the festival, with Vai following its world...

  • Ngā manaakitanga o te Kirihimete me te Tau Hou ki a koutou katoa

    News
    Issue date: 21 Dec 2018

    The New Zealand Film Commission wishes all of you a very happy holiday season and all the best for the New Year. Our offices will be closed from 22 December 2018 until 7 January 2019. We look forward to seeing you again in 2019.  

  • New Funding Opportunity for Pasifika and Asian New Zealand Filmmakers Announced

    News
    Issue date: 27 Oct 2018

    Pasifika and Asian filmmakers have an exciting new opportunity to develop stories that reflect their diverse communities and voices on screen, with a new funding initiative announced today by the New Zealand Film Commission, NZ On Air and TVNZ at the Big...

  • Bill Gosden to retire after 40 years at NZIFF

    News
    Issue date: 19 Dec 2018

    We received the sad news today that after 40 years leading the NZIFF, Director Bill Gosden is to retire in 2019. Here is his letter of farewell to New Zealand's film-loving community. Kia ora, te whānau, I'm chiming into the December frenzy...

  • Talent Eligibility Criteria Definition

    Resource
    Issue date: 19 Dec 2018

    The following five levels have been created to help clarify eligibility for NZFC talent development support. When applying for funding talent will need to provide a link to verify where they feel they sit on the career pathway.

  • Notice of Administrative Change to the New Zealand Screen Production Grant for New Zealand Productions

    News
    Issue date: 18 Dec 2018

    From 1 January 2019 Qualifying New Zealand Production Expenditure (QNZPE) will no longer be assessed as part of  Provisional applications for the New Zealand Screen Production Grant - New Zealand Productions (NZSPG-NZ). Provisional...

  • Annabelle Sheehan's Speech to the Big Screen Symposium 2018

    News
    Issue date: 27 Nov 2018

    The following is a transcript of Annabelle Sheehan's speech given on Saturday, 27 October 2018 at the Big Screen Symposium, Auckland, New Zealand. A mihi for Big Screen Symposium Tēnā koutou katoa Ka nui te mihi / ki a koutou katoa /mo tēnei/ te...

  • Raupapa Whakaari Funding: Drama to the world

    News
    Issue date: 12 Dec 2018

    At the recent SPADA Conference, the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) and NZ On Air (NZOA) announced a joint venture to co-fund the development of high-end adult drama series that will appeal to the international market as well as New Zealand...

  • Canadian co-production agreement signed

    News
    Issue date: 14 Sep 2016

    A new film co-production agreement between New Zealand and Canada will build on the strong screen sector relationships linking both countries, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry says. New Zealand High Commissioner to Canada, Daniel Mellsop...

  • New Zealand Film Legend Geoff Murphy Passes

    News
    Issue date: 4 Dec 2018

    It is with much sadness that the New Zealand Film Commission acknowledges the death of Geoff Murphy on Monday, 3 December 2018 in Wellington. Geoff was a producer, director and screenwriter who was one of the leading figures in New Zealand cinema’s...

  • Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen to have Sundance premiere

    News
    Issue date: 29 Nov 2018

    Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen will have its international premiere at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. The film had its world premiere at the 2018 New Zealand International Film Festival, and last month, director Heperi Mita was awarded...

  • New Zealand Film Commission releases Annual Report for 2017-18

    News
    Issue date: 28 Nov 2018

    The New Zealand Film Commission’s Annual Report 2017/18 was tabled in Parliament. Releasing the report, Film Commission Chair Kerry Prendergast said, "In January we welcomed Annabelle Sheehan to the NZFC as our new CEO. Annabelle comes to us with a...

  • 125 Fund Recipients Announced

    News
    Issue date: 20 Nov 2018

    At the recent Screen Production and Development Association (SPADA) Conference held in Wellington, New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) CEO, Annabelle Sheehan announced funding of three feature films through the NZFC’s 125 Fund. Launched in June this year...

  • First Look of Highly Anticipated New Zealand Film Daffodils

    News
    Issue date: 2 Nov 2018

    Transmission Films are thrilled to share the brand-new teaser trailer for the highly anticipated New Zealand Film DAFFODILS, offering a first look at this very special big screen experience. Daffodils is a bittersweet love story told with beautiful re-...

  • Scott Dixon Will Speed into Auckland to Support the Release of Born Racer: The Scott Dixon Story

    News
    Issue date: 15 Oct 2018

    Rialto Distribution are excited to announce Scott Dixon and his wife Emma Dixon will be in Auckland, New Zealand to support the release of film Born Racer: The Scott Dixon Story opening in New Zealand cinemas October 25. Scott and Emma Dixon will attend...

  • New Zealand Films and Filmmakers Honoured at Hawaii International Film Festival

    News
    Issue date: 13 Oct 2018

    She Shears and Maui’s Hook will have their international premieres at the 38th Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) in November. She Shears, directed by Jack Nicol and produced by Ainsley Gardiner and Georgina Conder, ...

  • Internationally esteemed filmmakers Tune into the Zeitgeist | Big Screen Symposium 2018

    News
    Issue date: 8 Oct 2018

    The Big Screen Symposium, in its 7th year, once again presents an inspiring and accomplished line-up of speakers to the NZ film and television community. This year’s programme is crafted around the theme Tuning into the Zeitgeist and explores how the...

  • Award Nominees and Winners for Show Me Shorts Film Festival 2018 Announced

    News
    Issue date: 2 Oct 2018

    New Zealand’s premier international short film festival, Show Me Shorts, has announced the nominees for their 2018 awards last week. The winners were announced at the Auckland Opening Night and Awards Ceremony on Saturday 6 October at The Civic and...

  • Record Year for New Zealand International Film Festival

    News
    Issue date: 5 Oct 2018

    The New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) has achieved a record year of attendance around New Zealand, breaking the national attendance record set in 2004. There were 263,017 admissions to NZIFF in 2018 superseding the previous record of 262,...

  • Casting Announced for The Luminaries. Production to Commence in NZ in November

    News
    Issue date: 26 Sep 2018

    BBC Two has announced that leading actresses Eva Green (Casino Royale, Penny  Dreadful,  Sin City, A Dame to Kill For) and Eve Hewson (Robin Hood, The Knick, Bridge of Spies) will join the cast of six-part drama series, The Luminaries. Eva...

  • Lloyd Meiklejohn Announced as NZFC Investment Executive

    News
    Issue date: 18 Sep 2018

    The New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lloyd Meiklejohn as Investment Executive, working in the Development and Production team headed by Leanne Saunders. Born and educated in New Zealand, Lloyd moved to London...

  • Big Screen Symposium Scholarships

    News
    Issue date: 6 Sep 2018

    The NZFC has scholarships available to attend the Big Screen Symposium (Tuning into the Zeitgeist) in Auckland on 26 - 27 October. Each scholarship will include a ticket to the two-day event and if you live outside the Auckland region, a...

  • Attendance at Auckland NZIFF 2018 breaks records

    News
    Issue date: 10 Aug 2018

    The New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) has broken records with the biggest ever total attendances for Auckland, in its 50th year. NZIFF have exceeded the previous record set in 2015 by more than 4,000 admissions. Auckland audiences attended...

  • Wellington Screen Talent off to Seoul

    News
    Issue date: 17 Aug 2018

    Two Wellington film makers have won a trip to Seoul, South Korea, to develop a science fiction TV drama series in the city’s capital. Their entry was one of only six projects selected globally to receive support from the Seoul Film Commission’s Seoul...

  • Attendance at Wellington NZIFF 2018 breaks records

    News
    Issue date: 16 Aug 2018

    The New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) has broken records with 84,218 attendances, the biggest ever total for Wellington. NZIFF has exceeded the previous record set in 2017 by more than 5,000 admissions. Wellington audiences attended 605...