Developing Documentary
About
It’s important to note that the NZFC’s primary focus is fiction feature films as opposed to documentary filmmaking. The NZFC will only support feature documentary projects that are distinctly cinematic, with clear potential to appeal to New Zealand and international theatrical audiences.
Funding is available for the development of feature length documentaries up to a cumulative amount of $15,000. Applications generally shouldn’t exceed $5,000 for each tranche of development funding requested.
Assessment
In addition to the assessment criteria outlined at the beginning of this document, documentary projects should demonstrate the following:
· Demonstrable potential to reach significant cinema audiences at home and overseas, i.e. beyond festival screenings
· A strongly articulated director’s vision for the final film
· The project must be best suited to the medium of theatrical distribution compared to other mediums (such as television). It is
not enough for a project to be ‘not television’; it needs to be distinctively cinema.
· A uniquely New Zealand quality
· At least one of the three following elements:
- a compelling dramatic narrative and emotional journey
- access to places or individuals never before seen on the screen
- a compelling argument or a view of the world presented by a charismatic and/or famous individual
· The director should have a track record of high quality documentary film and/or television production (or have directed a
dramatic feature that has had a significant theatrical release).
We will also consider other relevant experience on a case by case basis.
Application requirements
Applications should be made using the Documentary Development Funding Coversheet (see below) and include all relevant supporting material listed in the checklist on that form.
Application deadlines
Applications may be submitted at any time and will typically be considered within 4-6 weeks.
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