Early Development Fund

Teams with a producer attached may receive up to a total of $60,000 from the Early Development Fund (this amount includes
Writer Development Loan if the project has received one) . Individual applications are generally for no more than $20,000.

Producers should normally apply with a draft script. Applications based on a treatment will be accepted from producers working with a writer who has at least one credit on a film that has been released theatrically by a distributor, or who has significant experience writing for another dramatic medium (e.g. stage, radio or television). Please consult one of the Development staff for guidance.

Applications to the Early Development Fund will be accepted at any time and will usually be considered within a month.Projects applying to the Early Development Fund will be considered by three of the following:
 
    Graeme Mason                  Chief Executive
    Marilyn Milgrom                 Head of Development
    Chris Payne                      Development Executive
    Paul Swadel                      Development Executive

Please refer to our FAQ for more information.

Application Checklist

Please send the script (or treatment) in PDF format, and your application in Word or PDF format to development@nzfilm.co.nz in two separate and complete documents. Please include the following in your application and read the notes below. 
  • Development Funding cover sheet* (Available for download at the bottom of this page.)
  • one-page synopsis*
  • script or treatment (5-15 pages)*
  • notes from the writer on directions for future development of the script*
  • cover letter
  • a statement about the target audience for the film
  • a statement about the genre of the film
  • detailed development budget
  • proposed development timetable
  • notes on the director’s intentions for the film’s style (up to two pages)
  • details about key personnel attached to the project including one-page CVs, and written expression of interest (not needed if the person has supplied notes).
  • a breakdown of all development expenditure to date (where the project has previously received NZFC development finance or, in the case of a proposed co-production, money from another funding body)
  • font Times New Roman/Arial, font size 12
 
Logline (as required on cover sheets)
This is the story of the film distilled into one sentence (typically who the main character is, what they want, need or must do, and what will happen if they don’t get it or succeed in doing it). Please note that a logline is not a tagline, e.g. ‘In space no one can hear you scream’ is a tagline.
 
One-page synopsis
We suggest you write three paragraphs; please tell the whole story including spoilers. Note this is not a pitch document but a simple, clear record of what happens in the story.
 
Script
Please use standard industry screenplay formatting and make sure your script has a dated title page and numbered pages. See our FAQ for more information on scripts and formatting.
 
Writer notes
Development notes from the writer clearly identifying current script issues and outlining a proposed path forward to address them are an essential part of any application.
 
What you can include in your development budget
  • writer fees
  • script consultant fees
  • producer fees (except for Writer Development Loans)
  • workshop costs
  • script assessments
  • director fees*
  • script-related research costs
  • limited travel costs (e.g. where all team members do not live in the same city)
  • legal costs
  • extensions to rights costs
  • direct script and project-related overheads e.g.: printing, couriers, phone etc
 
* On projects where the writer is also the director, the NZFC does not expect applications to include a separate director fee at this stage
 
 
 
Early Development Fund Criteria
  • The availability of NZFC funds
  • The quality of the basic idea as cinema
  • The quality of the writing in the treatment/draft
  • The likelihood of the film reaching a substantial NZ theatrical audience
  • The depth and quality of notes relating to future development of the screenplay
  • The talent and experience of the team involved
  • The viability of the film on the basis of its proposed budget range
  • The intrinsic New Zealand qualities of the project
  • The possibility of key talent development through the development of the project
  • The project’s distinctiveness and quality in comparison to other projects funded by the NZFC in development and production
  • The degree of progress made since the previous application (if applicable)
 
At the earliest stage of development decisions will inevitably be made on the basis of the potential that exists in the idea and the team. At each subsequent stage of development we will expect the script to show progress in relation to the fundamental building blocks of dramatic structure and character. It is hoped that in most cases projects presented to the Advanced Development Fund will have solved basic story problems and will be refining the script in relation to their intended audience and developing a strategy to package and finance the film.
 
Application and decision-making process
  • Upon receipt of a formal submission you will receive written confirmation of receipt and the approximate date of the meeting at which the project will be considered.
  • A project previously rejected by the NZFC may only be resubmitted for funding consideration after it has been substantially reworked. Staff will advise applicants in these cases.
  • NZFC staff are unable to provide any indication of the likelihood of success of applications for development or production financing prior to consideration before the appropriate committee.
  •  Decisions are made collectively by consensus. The meeting is chaired by the Head of Development (Early Development Fund), or CEO (Advanced Development Fund). Projects submitted to the Board will be reviewed by staff, who will write a detailed paper and recommendation for consideration by the NZFC Board at the next Board Meeting.
  • A NZFC staff member will contact the applicant directly as soon as possible (usually within 24 hours) after a funding decision has been made. A letter is also written conveying the substance of the decision, outlining any conditions attached to the development financing and, where appropriate, providing suggestions for the next stage of development. Applicants may then contact the development staff member named in the letter for any further discussion.
  • Successful applicants are required to provide a written report on the progress of their project within six months of drawing down their funding.