Application Round dates:
For strand 1 - budgets of up to $350,000
Open: Monday 14 July 2025. Close: Monday 11 August at 1PM
Next round open Monday 9 March 2026. Close: Monday 13 April 2026 at 1PM.
Strand 2: From Monday 14 July 2025 - you may apply for a grant of up to $30,000 at any time, as long as funds are available.
Please read the funding guidelines for the application criteria, and how to apply.
Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga The New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) invests in talented filmmakers and exciting New Zealand films to be enjoyed in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world. Great films are made by well-prepared teams supporting the vision of a well-developed script. This funding devolves support to New Zealand screen sector organisations, companies or collectives to deliver programmes that develop craft and practice to help our filmmakers make the strongest films possible.
The NZFC is interested in receiving applications for intensive project-based filmmaker development programmes from organisations with the capability to administer, manage and deliver the successful initiatives.
Applicants must be screen sector organisations, companies or collectives that are registered in New Zealand.
The fund’s key objectives for 2025-2026:
- Impactful script development processes that lead to strong, distinctive feature film scripts
- Director skills development with a focus on distinctive directorial voice, and preparing directors for their first and second feature films
- Producer skills development that prepares producers for their first and second feature films, with a focus on creative producing
- Strong collaborations between filmmakers
- Filmmaker initiatives with produced film outcomes, including short films
- We are also interested in initiatives and programmes that identify and support newer storytellers from Māori and across New Zealand’s diverse communities
Key Details
There are two budget strands for this fund –
- Budget requests up to $350,000 first round opens: Monday 14 July 2025, closes Monday 11 August at 1PM. This funding strand will have another application round open in early 2026. Dates TBC.
- Budget requests under $30,000 opens: Monday 14 July 2025, and remains open for applications until 30 June 2026.
Eligibility: Open to New Zealand-based screen organisations, companies or collectives.
Purpose: To devolve support to the sector to deliver programmes that develop skills, projects and talent development opportunities in the film industry.
How to apply
Apply using the online application portal at https://funding.nzfilm.co.nz/.
Strand 1: the fund will open twice in the 2025-2026 financial year for applications of up to $350,000.
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You will require a pre-application meeting at least one week before the deadline
- Dates will be listed on the NZFC website under the Industry Development Fund
- Decisions will take up to eight weeks
Strand 2: you may apply for a grant of up to $30,000 at any time, as long as funds are available.
- Decisions will take up to four weeks
If you have any questions, please contact industrysupport@nzfilm.co.nz