NZFC Newsletter: Funding Issue June 2026

Kia ora koutou katoa,

Mānawa maiea te putanga o Matariki.
Mānawa maiea te ariki o te rangi.
Mānawa maiea te Mātahi o te tau

Celebrate the rising of Matariki.
Celebrate the rising of the lord of the sky.
Celebrate the rising of the New Year.

He mihi mahana mō te wā makariri! Warm greetings this cold season, while we await the arising of Matariki and the arrival of te Tau Hou Māori. This is a time to remember those who have passed, to celebrate the present, and look forward hopefully to the future.

Although the industry here and around the world continues to feel the strain, I’m reminded to celebrate the many small and large successes of our talented filmmakers. Most recently films that we have supported have won awards at Tribeca (Crocodile) and Sydney (Sukundimi Walks Before Me) Film Festivals, and five funded New Zealand features are in cinema. Tenor: My Name is Pati nears the end of its theatrical run with over $1.1million taken at the local box office.

Also to celebrate are the recent changes to the NZSPR that unlock the 40% rebate for NZ feature films with a NZ spend of $1million and over. We know this is welcome news for many in our filmmaking community.

We hope to see you at BSS, where we'll update you with what we anticipate the next 12 months will hold for us all.

Mānawatia a Matariki!

Ainsley Gardiner - Head of Funding
 

We’re pleased to welcome Tamara George as Rights, Licensing and Royalties Modernisation Project Executive. Tamara takes over this role following Tom Hill’s departure. As part of this mahi, we’re starting a phased departure from our collection agency activity.

The planning and preparation for this work has been underway for some time to ensure we can offer NZ films and filmmakers the best possible options for the collection of revenue. The next phase will be film specific as each film has a different set of circumstances to be considered. This will take some time, and we appreciate your continued patience. 

Tamara will be in touch directly with each Producer/Rights Holder over the coming period. If you have any immediate questions, please feel free to contact her at: Tamara.George@nzfilm.co.nz.

We’re pleased to welcome Tamara George as Rights, Licensing and Royalties Modernisation Project Executive. Tamara takes over this role following Tom Hill’s departure. As part of this mahi, we’re starting a phased departure from our collection agency activity.

The planning and preparation for this work has been underway for some time to ensure we can offer NZ films and filmmakers the best possible options for the collection of revenue. The next phase will be film specific as each film has a different set of circumstances to be considered. This will take some time, and we appreciate your continued patience.

Tamara will be in touch directly with each Producer/Rights Holder over the coming period. If you have any immediate questions, please feel free to contact her at: Tamara.George@nzfilm.co.nz .

We're hosting a Filmmaker Ask Me Anything (AMA) on 16 July. Click here to RSVP.

Filmmaker Cuppa Teas

• Christchurch - 27 July, 4pm, location Kōawa Studios. Hosted by Screen Canterbury. To RSVP, and for any enquiries please contact, Screen Canterbury.

• Dunedin - 28 July, 5:30pm, location TBC. Hosted by Film Dunedin. To RSVP, and for any enquiries please contact, Stefan.Roesch@dcc.govt.nz

Keep an eye on our socials for updates.

Filmmaker Cuppa Teas in Auckland and Wellington will be in September/October, details to follow in the next newsletter.  

Feature Film Production Investment (September 2026)

Applications open Applications close: 13 July Board meeting: 22-23 September

He Pounamu Te Reo Māori Feature Film Production Investment

Applications open 15 June Application deadline: 13 July (submissions are welcome anytime, but assessment and decision timing will align with board meetings) Board meeting: 22-23 September

He Pounamu Te Reo Feature Film development

He Kupu, He Ao Wānanga – Wahanga Tuarua will be held in August 2026 in Rotorua. Invitations have gone out to those who attended the first wānanga or have te reo Māori projects in development with us. If you have a te reo Māori script and wish to apply, please contact rautaki@nzfilm.co.nz

Industry Development Fund Update:

Strand 2 will no longer be open at all times, but will instead run in conjunction with Strand 1. Next application round for Strand 1 and 2:

Applications open 20 July 2026Application deadline: 24 August 2026,1pm

Feature Film Development Funding, March 2026 – May 2026

A Beautiful Family, Finola Dwyer, Niki Caro, Norelle Scott Eira, Alyx Duncan In The Wake, Matt Noonan, Danielle Cormack, Sarah Walker Sweet Lips, Catherine Fitzgerald, Maea Tamasese, Tusi Tamasese Taniwha, Kingi Rummler, Lani Feltham, Emma Mortimer Taxed, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Frankie Adams, Luciane Buchanan The Family Tree, Miki Magasiva, Dana Felbab Tū, Himiona Grace When the Law Falls, Julia Parnell, Lizzie Gillett, Sarah Noonan, Julia Parnell, Karen Bartlett Zahra, no H, Rouzie Hassanova, Amanda Jenkins, Gergana Stankova

Feature Film Production Investment, March 2026 – May 2026

Untitled Music Documentary, Alex Reed, Gemma Gracewood, Oscar Kightley Atomic Paradise, John Harvey, Alexander Behse, Lisa Leilani Williams, Sally Aitken, Aline Jacques The Rebirth of Barbara Luggate, Jackie van Beek, Alix Whittaker, Ilai Amar Sweet Lips, Catherine Fitzgerald, Maea Tamasese, Tusi Tamasese

He Kauahi - Catalyst Short Film Fund (May 2026) Decisions

Crossword, Alice Gatland, Ross Ozarka Fishbowl, Tū Māia Curtis, Anahera Parata Kill Room, Mason Cade Packer, Micah Winiata Reretau, Allie Howell, Pūmanawa Rawiri, Angel Kameta This Ordinary Life, Ghazaleh Gol, Ashleigh Roworth Tamaiti o le mau, Jacob Luamanuvae-Su'a, Jeremiah Tauamiti Timid Taniwha,Toi Rankin, Alex Moruo, Carrisse Uta’i

Feature Film Finishing Grant, March 2026 – May 2026

A Dog’s Show, Mark Westerby, Celia Jaspers, Alex Galvin Be Merry, Gwen Isaac The Weed Eaters, Annabel Kean, Alice May Connolly, Finnius Teppett Uncle, Ryan Alexander Lloyd, Rīhari Te Are, Julia Brown Ranginui: Call of the Ice, Julia Sartorio, Miriama Kamo, Rangi Matamua, Mataia Keepa

Industry Development Fund – Strand 1 Funding Decisions

First Market – Vicky Pope, POP Film

A professional development initiative supporting up to 4 emerging NZ film producers to attend their first international financing market at 37 South Film Market, Melbourne.

Aho Shorts Development Lab - Ngā Aho Whakaari

Aho Shorts Development Lab is a talent development initiative that supports above-the-line Māori filmmakers working at short film level to develop stronger, completed short film pitch packages. Eleven participants in total.

Industry Development – Strand 2

Re-indigenising Our Acting Practice - Equity NZ with Miriama McDowell Waitaha Screenwriting Development Incubator - Canterbury Screen Industry Association, Te Puna Matarau He Pātaka Purakau – Kounga - Feature writing intensive - Kokoko Creative

For all enquiries for these programmes, please contact the organisations directly. News on more upcoming projects will be shared soon. Click here  for past funding decisions and here for a link to the Application Portal.