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Fling
FilmWhen a proudly-stubbled College student, Amon, is sent home to shave, he instead chooses to bunk indefinately. While chasing his own sexual-education, over one long afternoon, Amon is confronted by the complications, and repercussions, that come with...
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New Zealand Celebrates Dame Jane’s Oscar Success
NewsIssue date: 28 Mar 2022Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga I The New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) says Dame Jane Campion’s Oscar success will ultimately benefit all of Aotearoa New Zealand. Dame Jane has picked up the Academy Award for Best Director for The Power of the Dog ...
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Mothers of the Revolution
FilmIn January 1981, US President Ronald Reagan swept into power with a mission to out-develop and out-spend on nuclear technologies against the Soviet Union – the Cold War ideological foe of the West. That September, in response to the growing East-...
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The Winter Boy
FilmA mother tries to comfort her grieving son, but on each attempt her son’s silence becomes more and more deafening. An outing to the local aquarium places further strain on their troubled relationship - until her son finds a reason to let his mother...
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Dean Spanley
FilmAdapted by Alan Sharp (Rob Roy), Dean Spanley is directed by UK-born, NZ raised Toa Fraser (No.2). A truly impressive international cast is led by eight-time Academy Award nominee Peter O’Toole (Venus, Lawrence of Arabia) and also features...
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Pelorus
Film"Pelorus is a personal story that I have grown up with. I’ve been friends with the Sigglekow family since the mid 1980’s, when Chris Sigglekow was at the height of his bungy jumping development. Now he is my father-in-law. To tell...
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Possum
FilmEven stray dogs remain elusive to Little Man, a nine-year-old boy who seeks to understand the remote world around him. He finds refuge with Kid, his younger, autistic sister who provides Little Man with a brief glimpse of another world. When Kid is...
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More Award Success for The Power of the Dog
NewsIssue date: 14 Mar 2022Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga I The New Zealand Film Commission congratulates Dame Jane Campion on the latest award recognition for The Power of the Dog. The BAFTA Awards announced this morning named The Power of the Dog Best Film and awarded Campion the Best...
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New NZFC Portal Go Live Postponed
NewsIssue date: 10 Feb 2022We initially aimed for Tomo mai (the new NZFC portal) to go live on 23 February, however, some key functions have not yet been delivered and because of this we are postponing the go live date. This date is yet to be determined but we will reach out to...
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Hotere
FilmRalph Hotere is hailed as one of New Zealand's greatest artists, having exhibited throughout Europe, the USA, Canada, Japan, Brazil, England and Australia. In New Zealand he has executed a number of large public works, designed theatre sets,...
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Lowdown Dirty Criminals
FilmWhen Freddy loses his job delivering pizza, he and his best buddy Marvin find work with a small-time crook Spiggs. After they botch a straightforward job, Spiggs sends them on a fool’s errand - to kill gangster Donny Kong who's been sleeping...
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Six Short Films Funded Through Fresh Shorts Initiative
NewsIssue date: 22 Feb 2022Six filmmaking teams have been selected for Kōpere Hou Fresh Shorts and each will receive project development and a grant of $15,000 to make their short film. The final six were selected from 112 applications received. 18 teams were shortlisted and...
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Two Cars, One Night
FilmDIRECTOR’S NOTES - Ainsley Gardiner & Catherine Fitzgerald “There are a few moments in childhood that have a lasting impact. Not because they change the course of your life, or because they arrive with any great fanfare, in fact...
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Spookers
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Queenie
FilmIntricately handmade from paper and cardboard, this stop-motion animated tragicomedy follows Danny, a university Geography tutor, as he and his students stray from the syllabus in order to break new academic ground. After managing only to break some...
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Crooked Earth
FilmWill Bastion (Temuera Morrison) returns from 20 years service in the New Zealand Army to Raukura, his hometown, to face the biggest challenge of his life. His father has died, leaving a sacred greenstone patu, the symbol of leadership, to him. He doesn...
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Vaspy
Film6 months’ pregnant Rose celebrates her son Jaden’s 6th birthday. Amongst the new presents is a strange clickity-clack wooden toy - Vaspy. While cleaning up the next day, Rose unknowingly gets “stung” by it, and starts to crave...
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Ways to See
FilmAmaia is a young girl living with her depressed mother in an inner-city apartment. With no family or friends close by, she desperately seeks out her absent father. Believing that a mysterious woman can reconnect them, Amaia goes to extreme lengths to win...
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Farewell Vincent Burke
NewsIssue date: 18 Feb 2022It is with much sadness that Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) acknowledges the death of producer Vincent Burke on 17 February in Wellington. Vincent began his film industry career as a policy advisor for the NZFC, a role which...
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The Little Things
FilmD I R E C T O R ’ S N O T E S “The stronger the wind, the stronger the trees” -J. Williard Marriott “When I began writing the little things I knew from the outset that I wanted it to be a story that whispered and didn’t...
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Trailer Released for Indigenous Sci-fi Thriller Night Raiders
NewsIssue date: 17 Feb 2022Following critical acclaim at Berlin and Toronto International Film Festivals, and most recently at the New Zealand International Film Festival, Night Raiders has today released a local trailer ahead of its nationwide general release on Thursday 24 ...
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Cinema Of Unease
FilmPart of the British Film Institute’s Century of Cinema series in which some of the world’s most respected directors investigate their national cinema. Cinema of Unease examines the cultural and historic context from which the New Zealand...
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Oscar Nominations a Big Win for New Zealand
NewsIssue date: 9 Feb 2022Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga I The New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) says New Zealanders can stand proud today with the announcement Dame Jane Campion’s feature film The Power of the Dog has received 12 Oscar nominations. The film has been nominated...
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Trailer Unveiled for Blockbuster New Zealand Film Whina
NewsIssue date: 5 Feb 2022Transmission Films in association with Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga the New Zealand Film Commission NZFC are proud to release the trailer for the highly anticipated local feature film Whina which will have its nationwide cinema release on 23 June, 2022,...
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Support Package for Arts Sector
NewsIssue date: 2 Feb 2022Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga - New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) has welcomed the Government’s $121 million support package for the arts sector announced this morning. Included in the package is a further $15 million for the Screen Production Recovery Fund...
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Vale Pete Smith
NewsIssue date: 31 Jan 2022Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga New Zealand Film Commission is saddened to hear of the passing of actor Pete Smith (Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri) on 29 January. Smith made his acting debut in Geoff Murphy’s classic science-fiction film, The Quiet Earth, as Api, one of...
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Liliu
FilmSolo, a young Samoan interpreter for a Native Court in Colonial, New Zealand Samoa, does what he thinks is best for his people and at times lies as he translates. However, High Chief Nua who's charged with trespass, understands and speaks English....
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Cub
FilmLynn discovers her 16-year-old son, Shaun, is having a secret relationship with a woman, Amanda, fifteen years his senior. Although Lynn subjects Shaun to a disciplinary lifestyle, he remains hell-bent on being with Amanda and intends to live with her...
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Sonny, My Older Brother
FilmPor likes to daydream. He dreams about all the cool things he and Sonny do, Swimming and climbing trees. When Sonny gets a hiding Por makes the decision to help his older brother with his chores as well.
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Zealandia
FilmIn 2032, a pandemic has killed most of the world’s population. Zealandia is the last territory to remain virus free. Everything arriving from the outside world is submitted to intensive biosecurity checking, including humans. Refugees flock to...
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Daddy's Girl (Kōtiro)
FilmTe Puhi prepares herself for the toughest day of her life. Her father, Tui prepares a boil up for his girl. The two share a traditional meal when the harsh reality of her father's dementia forces Te Puhi to face the painful truth that she must let go...
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Spring Jam
FilmSome stags get all the birds. But not Lone Stag. He lacks a certain something on the antlers front: antlers. And without them he has little chance of getting any birds to help him make music for the spring jam. So far Lone Stag has recruited one...
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Update to NZSPG Temporary COVID 19 Provisions
NewsIssue date: 22 Dec 2021Temporary provisions were added to the NZSPG Criteria for New Zealand Productions in July 2020 to allow Panel discretion in certain areas of the criteria which were identified as being more challenging to meet in a COVID environment. These provisions...
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Stuntman
FilmFrank is 11, and he's a stuntman. At least in his imagination. He's decided to pull off a death-defying leap, and he can probably do it. The trouble is, his little sister has been following him around all day, and she's determined to keep up...
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Catalyst Funding Announcement
NewsIssue date: 21 Dec 2021Catalyst 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. Three teams have been...
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Dangerous Ride
FilmDIRECTOR’S NOTES I intend this film to challenge audiences – the story is tense from the get go, the meeting of the characters is fraught with emotional strain, but Martin and Renee, while not always sympathetic, have charm. They are both...