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Entertainment lawyer John McCay is about to take up the reins as the new chair of Film New Zealand’s board of directors from 1 July.
A partner in law firm Minter Ellison Rudd Watts, Mr McCay is a specialist in corporate, commercial and entertainment law. He joined the board of Film New Zealand in June 2013.
His long involvement with the New Zealand screen industry includes advising on New Zealand films such as Mr Pip, Shopping, Two Little Boys, The Vintner’s Luck, Whale Rider, The World’s Fastest Indian and In my Father’s Den, as well as New Zealand television series, offshore productions, sales and distribution arrangements and merchandising.
John McCay will replace Queenstown producer Julian Grimmond who is stepping down when his tenure concludes this month after more than seven and a half years with the organisation, including five as the chair.
“I look forward to continuing the work Julian and the team have been doing, in particular building on the major piece of work done by Film New Zealand on incentivising television production and maximising the opportunities presented by the new New Zealand Screen Production Grant,” Mr McCay says.
“I’d also like to thank Julian for his tireless service to the New Zealand screen industry. The recent developments and strong interest being shown by offshore productions in coming to New Zealand are a testament to his vision and passion.”
Mr Grimmond, an Emmy Award-winning television producer, says he will continue to follow the work of Film New Zealand, and he is delighted to be able to conclude his term at a time when the future of the country’s international screen industry is looking bright.
“Over the past five years the New Zealand screen sector has seen huge changes in the global screen business. It has been a privilege to be part of Film New Zealand’s response to these changes and how Film New Zealand markets the entire New Zealand screen sector to the world.
“With the recently announced Screen New Zealand alignment, certainty around incentives and ease of doing business, New Zealand is in a strong position to grow its creative economy.
“Film New Zealand will be in very capable hands of the incoming Chairman John McCay whose long history with screen can only continue to grow the valuable work the organisation does to attract international productions to our shores.”