COVID-19 Response

The New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) will keep this page updated with our response to COVID-19. Please click on the headline to read the full information on each release.

Extended Screen Production Recovery Fund

The NZFC is pleased to announce that the Extended Screen Production Recovery Fund is open now. The fund supports selected NZFC funded and NZSPG-New Zealand productions impacted by changes in NZ COVID-19 alert level status and the introduction of the Protection Framework on 3 December 2021.

There are now two strands to this fund so check here to see if you are eligible for the Extended Screen Production Recovery Fund - Alert Level Strand or the Extended Screen Production Recovery Fund - Protection Framework Strand.

Screen Production Emergency Relief Fund

This is a fund of last resort to support NZFC-funded and NZSPG-New Zealand productions impacted by COVID-19 alert level restrictions, once all other funding sources have been exhausted.

You can find out more here.

Useful Sites for Further Information

Information about the New Zealand Government’s response to COVID-19

Information on COVID-19 from the Ministry of Health

Information about accessing the wage subsidy for businesses or contractors

Information about the Screen Industry COVID-19 Action Group

Information about undertaking production safely and for the ScreenSafe COVID-19 Health and Safety Production ToolKit

COVID-19 Policy

The NZFC COVID-19 Policy was originally put in place in May 2020 in response to the disruptions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic. The policy varies aspects of NZFC funding guidelines and Terms of Trade, with the intention of giving productions the best chance to be financed, completed and released.

With the pandemic continuing to cause disruption to film production, distribution, exhibition, insurance and film financing, the NZFC has updated and extended the COVID-19 Policy to 31 December 2022.

NZFC Advisories

The NZFC issues regular advisories to provide updated and clear information to the industry about what the NZFC is putting in place to support people and productions until the pandemic situation is resolved.

Support Package for Arts Sector

COVID Advisory #5 - Screen Recovery Package Update

Advisory # 4 Introduced by NZFC Chair, Dame Kerry Prendergast and the Board of the NZFC

Advisory #3 NZFC Extends Business Support Funding To $1 Million (Plus Confirms Development Funding of $750k+ From Ongoing Programmes)

Advisory #2 COVID-19 Pandemic as it Affects Production

Advisory #1 Regarding the COVID-19 Situation