New Zealand Film Commission News

Kiwi movie This Town has today been announced as the very first local movie to be released in cinemas after the three month closure of the country’s movie theatres due to Covid-19.

Four New Zealand documentaries will participate in this years Cannes Docs line-up.

The New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) announced today that over $1.2million has been awarded to 33 companies, through its business and slate development schemes BOOST, BOOST UP and He Ara.

New Zealand feature film Poppy resumed production on Friday 29 May after responding to the COVID-19 Alert Level 4 lockdown announcement on March 23.

The New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) joins the New Zealand and international film community in sadly acknowledging the passing of Bill Gavin. Our thoughts are with his close family and friends and we celebrate his achievements.

On Tuesday 12 May the NZFC held its second live Q&A event  with CEO Annabelle Sheehan, Head of Marketing Jasmin McSweeney and Head of International Relations Chris Payne.

Catalyst He Kauahi supports New Zealand filmmakers to progress their talents to the next stage and make exceptional, high end narrative short films that will ignite the flame and be the catalyst for change in their career.

The New Zealand Screen industry’s COVID-19 Health and Safety Standard and Protocols were endorsed on 7 May by New Zealand Government agency WorkSafe, laying the way clear for local production to re-start in New Zealand.

Join New Zealand Film Commission CEO Annabelle Sheehan, Head of Marketing Jasmin McSweeney and Head of International Relations Chris Payne for a live Q&A on Tuesday 12 May at 5pm.

On Tuesday 28 April the NZFC held its inaugural live Q & A event  with CEO Annabelle Sheehan, Head of Development and Production Leanne Saunders and Pou Whakahaere Karen Waaka-Tibble.  

The Board are very aware of the significant losses and hardships experienced by the screen sector at this time. COVID-19 shut down 47 New Zealand productions when the global pandemic required the Government to move New Zealand into Alert Level 4.

Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga New Zealand Film Commission is pleased to announce writer/director Michael Bennett is this year’s recipient of Te Aupounamu Māori Screen Excellence award grant of $50,000 to support his professional develop

Join New Zealand Film Commission CEO Annabelle Sheehan, Head of Development & Production Leanne Saunders and Pou Whakahaere Karen Waaka-Tibble for a live Q&A on Tuesday 28 April, at 5pm.

As we mentioned in last week's Advisory, the NZFC's Boost funding round for 2020, and a new fund, Boost Up, are launching this week.

As we enter week two of the lockdown, we do hope you are all safe and well. From our conversations with many of you over the last few weeks we are acutely aware of the challenges everyone is facing at this time.

Based on industry feedback, we have extended the deadline for applications for He Pounamu Te Reo Māori Feature Film Initiative by two weeks.

In line with the New Zealand Government’s shift to COVID-19 Alert Level 4 from midnight on Wednesday 25 March 2020, the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) staff in Auckland and Wellington will be working from their homes at least for the ne

The New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) can confirm that CEO Annabelle Sheehan has been diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus.

Her symptoms are currently minor, and she is recovering in isolation at home in Wellington.

Today the New Zealand Government has announced the country is now at COVID-19 Alert level 3 with an upgrade to level 4 at midnight Wednesday, 25 March 2020. Level 4 is expected to continue for a minimum of 4 weeks.

As the COVID-19 virus continues to create uncertainty for us all, we at the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) would like to update you on the measures we are taking to manage as much as possible the impact the pandemic is having on our ind

This morning the World Health Organisation has made the assessment that COVID-19 coronavirus be characterised as a pandemic.

Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) has launched a new talent development fund under its Te Rautaki Māori strategy which was introduced in 2018 to champion Māori film and filmmakers in partnership with the Māori film

The trailer for new Kiwi comedy This Town has today been unveiled ahead of the film’s nationwide theatrical release on 30 April 2020.

Six filmmaking teams have been offered funding in the
2019-20 Fresh Shorts round and will receive a grant of $15,000 to put toward the making of their short films. 

The New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) / Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga would like to congratulate Taika Waititi (Te Whānau ā Apanui) and Chelsea Winstanley (Ngāti Ranginui ) on becoming the first indigenous producers to be nominated for a Be

Sundance Institute today announced director and producer Leya Hale as the 2020 recipient of the Sundance Institute Merata Mita Fellowship, an annual fellowship named in honor of the late Māori filmmaker Merata Mita (1942-2010).

A ground-breaking New Zealand television series launches today, Thursday 23 January 2020 to what is being described as one of the largest ever international audiences for a New Zealand television production.

The trailer for Guns Akimbo has dropped today, starring Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) and Samara Weaving (Ready or Not).

The New Zealand Film Commission wishes all of you a very happy holiday season and all the best for the New Year.

Our offices will be closed from 21 December 2019 until 6 January 2020.

The official trailer for Aotearoa’s brand-new action-comedy The Legend of Baron To’a has today been released ahead of its nationwide theatrical release on 20 February 2020.

Hamish Bennett, writer and director of New Zealand feature film, Bellbird, was the recipient of the Best Screenplay award at the Macao International Film Festival, last night.

The NZFC joins the New Zealand film industry in farewelling veteran exhibitor, Joe Moodabe.