The NZFC has funded seven initiatives designed to strengthen Aotearoa’s screen sector and help filmmakers develop their craft.
In the first funding round, 18 applications requested nearly $3.9 million. From these, seven programmes were approved with a total allocation of $1.42 million. These will roll out over the coming months, offering opportunities to participate across the motu.
Find out more about this fund here.
Cinematic Documentary Development Programme
Deer Heart Films
A one-year mentorship programme for four documentary directors in the process of making, or about to make, their 1st or 2nd feature documentary.
Te Tari Tuhi Kupu a Whakaahua Script to Screen
Script to Screen
Industry Development Programmes 2025-26, including Story Camp Aotearoa, FilmUp, Script development workshops for Deaf Disabled & Neurodiverse creatives, and Talks.
Proud Voices on Screen 2025-26 Initiatives
Proud Voices on Screen
Development initiatives for queer-identifying writers, directors and producers (emerging to mid-career), including writing grants for four screenwriters to develop a feature film script.
Māoriland Indigenous Co-Lab 2
Māoriland Charitable Trust
A kaupapa Māori-led development programme that empowers Māori and Indigenous filmmaking teams to strengthen their projects and prepare for financing.
PASC Industry Support Programme
Pan Asian Screen Collective
Asia Producers Industry Placements research and development.
DEVOLVED SHORT FILM PRODUCTION
Show Me Shorts Screenwriters Lab
Show Me Shorts
An intensive script development workshop for short filmmakers, with ongoing mentoring and the production of two short films.
Rainbow Shorts
Proud Voices on Screen
Production grants for two short films. Writer, director, producer teams develop skills at the short film level through making their project with mentorship and EP support.
Short Cuts 2025
Pan Asian Screen Collective
Intensive short film development lab, and production grants for one short film, plus three micro budget shorts
FutureFrames:NZ
Screen Music & Sound Guild of Aotearoa
AI Short Film Hackathon. Open call, workshops and a film will be selected for postproduction grade and sound.
INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT FUND STRAND 2, DECISIONS TO DATE.
MIFF Accelerator Lab Classic and Express 2026
DEGANZ
NZ directors' attendance at Melbourne International Film Festival Accelerator Lab.
Capacity Building Pasifika 1ST AD
TikiLounge Productions
Leading Tuakana will work with aspiring 1st ADs to mentor them into on-the-job 1st AD roles.
Patch Lab: Intro to Screen Production
Taro Patch Creative limited
A hands-on training programme for early-stage Māori and Pacific creatives, equipping them with real-world screen production skills, industry insight, and pathways into Aotearoa’s film sector.
He Pātaka Pūrākau
Tainui Tukiwaho
Hands-on feature film intensive script development designed for emerging and fluent Te Reo speakers, using a uniquely Māori framework.
Tautoko Documentary
Leanne Pooley
Tautoko Documentary will foster philanthropic funding in Aotearoa New Zealand’s documentary sector.