Feature Development
Do you have rounds of funding with submissions required by a certain date?
Applications to the Early Development Fund (EDF) and Advanced Development Fund (ADF) can be submitted at any time and will typically be considered within 4-6 weeks.
Applications to the Board are subject to bi-monthly deadlines. There are 6 scheduled Board meetings per year with deadlines for submissions. 2011 Board dates are available here: http://www.nzfilm.co.nz/AboutUs/Board.aspx
Is there someone at the NZFC that looks at ideas for films and passes them onto filmmakers?
There is no one at the NZFC specifically allocated to look at film ideas; the best option is to start with filmmakers, who then come to us.
What counts as an "experienced producer"?
Producers who have a level of experience appropriate to the nature and scale of their project in film drama production, development, acquisition, distribution and/or exhibition may apply for funding.
How do I find a producer?
We have publicly available contact details for many New Zealand producers. Please email Reception to request a list.
How much money can I apply for?
The Seed Developmend Fund (SDF) provides funding to writers, directors or key creatives of up to $9,000 per project.
The Early Development Fund (EDF) provides funding for development of fiction feature films up to a cumulative amount of $40,000 (including any funds received at SDF level). Applications generally shouldn’t exceed $20,000 for each tranche of development funding requested.
The Advanced Development Fund (ADF) supports dramatic feature projects in advanced development to a cumulative amount of $70,000 (including any funds received at SDF or EDF levels).
The NZFC Board will consider applications for advanced development for projects that have already received $90,000 in development funding.
The CEO may at any stage advance up to $20,000 to a project up to the $90,000 ceiling. This is called a CEO Delegation (
CEOD).
What costs can I apply for?
Applications to the Early Development Fund (EDF) may apply for the following costs:
• Writer fees
• Script consultant fees
• Producer fees
• Script assessments
• Director fees
• Script related research costs
• Limited travel costs
• Legal costs
• Extensions to rights costs
• Direct script & project-related overheads
In addition to the above costs applications to the Advanced Development Fund (ADF) may apply for the following:
• Workshop costs
• Storyboarding
• Packaging, financing & marketing expenses
• Preliminary casting
• Location scouting costs
• Preparation of budget & schedule
Is there a form I need to fill in?
Yes. Application coversheets for the different development funds can be found attached to the Feature Film Development Guidelines and must be provided with each application. The Feature Film Development Guidelines can be downloaded from the Guidelines and Application Coversheets section of our website.
Are there any template applications I can use?
There are no templates to use for development funding; however please refer to the summary table in our Feature Film Development Funding Guidelines for what materials you should include in your application.
Can all funding go to one area eg: research and travel?
The development funding may cover any combination of the costs outlined above, as long as your selections are explained.
When will I be notified of the result?
A Development team member will contact you directly as soon as possible (usually within 24 hours) after a funding decision has been made. We also email you a letter conveying the substance of the decision, outlining any conditions attached to the development funding and, where appropriate, providing suggestions for the next stage of development.
If I receive funding do I have to pay back the funds?
Script Development funding is given in the form of loans against the project which are paid back to the NZFC upon the first day of principal photography. If the project fails to reach production status the producer can apply to the NZFC for the loan to be forgiven. If the loan is used for purposes other than those intended the producer will be required to pay back the loan.
Specific requirements, criteria and helpful suggestions are provided in the Feature Film Development Guidelines. We strongly suggest that it’s in the project’s best interests to apply for funding only when you’ve carefully considered the NZFC’s assessment criteria and key values as they relate to your project; to ensure that you’re truly ready to deliver the strongest application possible.
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