On Thursday 25 March the NZFC hosted its first live webinar of 2021. Speakers were New Zealand Film Commission CEO Annabelle Sheehan, Joint Heads of Te Puna Kairangi- Premium Fund and Ara ki Te Puna Kairangi - Premium Development Fund, Kay Ellmers and Polly Fryer and Head of Marketing Jasmin McSweeney in conversation with Catherine Fitzgerald, producer of Punch and Coming Home in the Dark. The session was moderated by Molly Littlejohn.
25 March marked the one-year anniversary of New Zealand’s shift to Alert Level 4 and Annabelle reflected on the past 12 months, the industry’s achievements during this time, and how the NZFC continues to support filmmakers.
Kay and Polly discussed the process and timeline of the Premium and Premium Development Funds.
Producer Catherine Fitzgerald spoke to Jasmin about overcoming many of the challenges of COVID, including the international premiere and market launch of Coming Home in the Dark at a virtual Sundance, production of Punch starring UK actor Tim Roth, and some necessary pivoting on co-production opportunities.
Answers to questions that could not be answered live during the event are attached below.