Resources

Create a Southern Masterpiece!

REGIONAL SUPPORT

  • The Collective Voice is our monthly newsletter! Become a member to receive regular updates on Otago & Southland film events, training opportunities, job listings, funding avenues, and what members are up to.

  • Film Otago Southland is a non-profit that supports screen production in the Otago & Southland regions, in collaboration with the Queenstown Lakes and Dunedin film offices. It’s the first place to visit if you’re thinking of filming in the area!

    Film Otago Southland does not issue filming permits, but it has a guide to Permits and Location Access and can provide introductions to the relevant agencies.

    It can also advise on NZFC funding & incentives and sustainable/green practices.

    View their Facebook page for the latest news & announcements.

  • Film Dunedin is a Dunedin City Council service that provides help with locations, film permits, industry connections, and logistical & business support for film projects in the Dunedin area.

  • Film Queenstown Lakes is a Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) film office within its Economic Development department. It acts as a point of coordination for screen activity in the region.

    Film Queenstown Lakes can issue film permits for commercial filming and resource consents for bigger and/or long-term productions in the Queenstown Lakes area.

  • The Film Otago Southland Industry Directory is a searchable database that contains up-to-date listings of Otago & Southland crew, key support services, equipment & facilities, and ancillary services (e.g. accommodation).

    You can search by job title and region.

  • The Dunedin Industry Directory is a searchable directory of Dunedin-based crew, services, and film businesses.

    You can search by category (e.g. Crew) and title (e.g. Assistant Director).

  • Otago filmmakers & screenwriters can apply for Short Film Otago (SFO) funding for up to 10 min long films. Selected scripts are awarded a small development grant and paired with a mentor/script editor.
    SFO generally had one round each year.

  • The Dunedin Filmmakers Network is a Facebook group connecting people involved in making films within the greater Dunedin Area and farther afield.

    Posts can include questions about Scripts, Ideas, Actors, Production, Gear, Feedback/Critique, Casting Calls, Funding outlets, links to crowdsourcing campaigns, Interesting Videos or Blogs, Lights, Cameras—whatever relates!

  • The Southern Filmmakers Trust is a Facebook Group supporting filmmaking in the Southland region. It welcomes people of all ages, interests, experience, and skills to join the group. Actors, musicians, artists, anyone!

FUNDING SOURCES

  • The New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) administers the NZ Screen Production Rebate (NZSPR). Formerly known as the NZSPG, this incentive is available for international and Aotearoa New Zealand productions.

    • AoNZ Productions: Eligible AoNZ productions can access a cash rebate equivalent to 40% of Qualifying New Zealand Production Expenditure (QNZPE).

    • International Productions: Eligible international productions can access a cash grant of 20% of Qualifying New Zealand Production Expenditure (QNZPE), with a 5% Uplift available for a smaller number of productions that can demonstrate significant economic benefits to New Zealand.

  • NZFC has developed scores of Funding Programmes for local filmmakers! Their financial support includes development funds, production financing, travel grants, post-production grants, and more.

    Learn more about how they support:

    • Feature Films

    • Documentary Films

    • Post-Production & Distribution

    • Talent Development

  • New Zealand On Air (NZOA) is an independent government funding agency committed to supporting public media, including investing in authentic Aotearoa New Zealand stories and songs.

    • Learn more about NZOA’s funding criteria for Scripted, Factual & Music projects.

    • See who they have worked with & funded in the past.

    • Browse through its research reports on audience, diversity & public attitudes.

    • Find info on deadlines and how producers can apply for scripted & non-fiction funding. NZOA will be looking for a commitment from a qualifying platform.

  • The New Zealand Writers Guild (NZWG) offers Seed Grants to AoNZ screenwriters who wish to develop a feature-length script.

    There are no constraints on content, characters, genre, or location. These development grants are awarded biannually.

    • Seed: Designed for emerging and unproduced writers.
    • Seed Advanced: Designed for writers with more than 90 minutes of credited and produced scripted work.

  • Offered by NZFC, Kōpere Hou - Fresh Shorts is designed to support new or emerging AoNZ filmmaking teams who would like to make a short film with significant AoNZ content.

    The writer, director & producer must be AoNZ citizens or permanent residents.

  • Ngā Aho Shorts provides funding for Māori creatives with a factual or scripted short film idea (up to $25,000 NZD per film) through the Ngā Aho Shorts program. Fluent te reo Māori films will be eligible to apply for an additional $5,000 NZD.

    Each team needs a producer, director & writer or writer/director. The producer will need a registered company for funding contracts. You will also need to be a member of Ngā Aho Whakaari to submit an application for funding. Full membership for Māori is free!

  • Offered by NZFC, He Kauahi Catalyst is designed to support more experienced AoNZ filmmakers who are interested in making a Proof of Concept.

    Catalyst films must be tonally or thematically linked to feature films and/or long-form content.

FESTIVALS & WORKSHOPS

  • Whānau Mārama/New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) is a prestigious international film festival held in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland each year.

    It showcases all kinds of features & shorts and runs two short film competitions: New Zealand’s Best and Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts.

  • Show Me Shorts is an Academy Awards® qualifying short film festival that accepts AoNZ and international short films. The festival screens in more than 30 cinemas nationwide.

  • Doc Edge Film Festival is an Academy Awards® qualifying international documentary film festival held annually in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and online.

    But wait, there’s more! Doc Edge also organizes an annual industry forum, filmmaker clinics, a pitching event, a Student Short Doco Competition, and Doc Edge XR Exhibition, a showcase of digital interactive storytelling.

  • Māoriland Film Festival is an international indigenous film festival run by the Māoriland Charitable Trust (MCT).

    The MCT has its own Māoriland Productions arm that supports the development of Māori features, drama series, and short films.

    It sponsors young & emerging filmmakers (ages 12-24) through the E Tū Whānau Rangatahi Film Challenge.

    And it offers a Māoriland Filmmakers Residency to an international or national indigenous filmmaker each year.

  • Rotorua Indigenous Film Festival (RIFF) is an indigenous, 3-day film festival held in Rotorua each year.

    Purchase of an industry ticket for RIFF allows you to participate in RIFFCOM. You’ll be able to meet with a panel of local and international commissioners in 10 minute one-on-one meetings.

    RIFF also hosts PITCH SLAP. In this event, Māori and Indigenous New Zealand based filmmakers can pitch their film idea to industry executives and be in to win up to $10,000 NZD in prize money.

  • The Wairoa Māori Film Festival welcomes entries from Māori, Pasifika, and indigenous-identified filmmakers.

    The focus of the festival is Māori film, but it also presents works about peoples of the Pacific who are “whanaunga” (related by blood, ancestry & tradition) to the Māori people.

  • New Zealand Youth Film Festival (NZYFF) is a free-to-enter film festival for New Zealand youth aged 15-24 years. The events programme includes a once-in-a-lifetime red carpet Awards Ceremony and special industry tours.

  • Although it’s focused on short films from the top of the South Island (e.g. Nelson, Marlborough & Tasman), the Top of the South Film Festival welcomes submissions from all Aotearoa filmmakers.

    It’s a strong pick for young & emerging filmmakers, since it has a relatively low number of submissions.

SOUTHERN EDUCATION

  • Learn Film from experienced professionals, learn camera operation, lighting, sound, editing, productiona and post-production, using industry standard software, Adobe Premiere Pro, and After Effects. Learn narrative and storytelling, learn how to craft a script for screen.

    https://www.op.ac.nz/programmes/nzqa/bachelor-of-design-communication/

  • Otago Polytechnic offers a wide range of commercially focused digital media programmes. Think of technical skills like camera expertise, lighting, videography, post-production, and editing.

  • The School of Design offers the option to study this degree with a game design focus. You'll develop skills and knowledge specific to game design during most of this programme and will enjoy the chance to gain valuable practical experience through project and client work. You'll graduate with a Bachelor of Design (Communication), frontend game design skills and a portfolio of games you've created!

    Career options include a Lead Designer or Level Designer, Game Artist or Animator, Gameplay Designer or Narrative Designer, Game Prototyping, Video Design and Technology, Multimedia Specialist, User Experience Designer, Technical Artist or Creative Director.

    https://www.op.ac.nz/programmes/nzqa/bachelor-of-design-communication/

  • The Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) offers a smorgasbord of technical degrees, certificates, and diplomas in creative industries. Available in Invercargill and Queenstown.

  • The University of Otago’s Media, Film and Communication programme offers two undergraduate majors in film studies and an assortment of postgraduate options. These are academic degrees, rather than practical training programmes.

NETWORKING & PITCH EVENTS

  • Run by Script to Screen, the Big Screen Symposium is a 2-day conference for filmmakers, crew, distributors and film students.

    The programme usually features conversations, masterclasses, workshops, panel discussions, and case studies with local & international speakers.

  • This popular industry conference for the Screen Production & Development Association (SPADA) takes place in November each year.

    The conference features the South Pacific Pictures Big Pitch, for emerging creatives with TV ideas.

  • 37ºSouth is the industry arm of the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF). It’s held every year in August.

    • Producers can pitch their script-stage screen projects to potential financiers.

    • IP owner can pitch their manuscripts/creative assets to producers for potential screen adaptations.

    • Writers & writer/directors can pitch their screenplays to producers.

    The Market also includes screenings for buyers, modules for publishers, and panel discussions.

    AoNZ filmmakers are welcome to apply for the Market, but entries are competitive!

  • 48HOURS is a guerrilla filmmaking competition for newcomers & veterans alike. It takes place over one weekend throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.

    The entire film—including writing, shooting, editing and adding a musical soundtrack—must occur within the 48-hour window beginning Friday evening at 7 pm and ending Sunday at 7 pm.

    It’s a good way to get your feet wet. Over 6000 shorts have been produced for 48Hours.

  • Run the NZGDA, the New Zealand Game Developers Conference (NZGDC) is tailored to game developers, VFX artists, animators, and interactive experience professionals.

    It features a smorgasbord of practical workshops, summits, parties, and student events. In 2022, it welcomed the VFX and animation industries on Convergence Day.

TALENT SUPPORT

  • In addition to providing funds for on-the-job development & workshops, NZFC has a dedicated Talent Development team, including a Talent Pathways Manager.

    They can advise new, emerging and mid-career filmmakers (especially in regional areas) on professional development and career planning.

    See the Leadership Team section for contact details.

  • Script to Screen is a charitable organisation that hosts practical programmes, events, and workshops for filmmakers, including its annual two-day conference, the Big Screen Symposium.

    It also provides Script Development Services.

  • Ngā Aho Whakaari (NAW) exists to represent Māori in screen industries.

    • It organises hui, workshops & professional development events run by Māori screen practitioners and experts.

    • It sponsors a host of screen industry events for Māori and Indigenous filmmakers, including MFF, RIFF, and the Wairoa Māori Film Festival.

    • And it collaborates with key industry organisations like Doc Edge NZ to create opportunities for members.

  • WIFT NZ is the Aotearoa New Zealand arm of Women in Film & Television International (WIFTI). Members can take advantage of all sorts of domestic & international benefits!

    WIFT NZ exists to:

    • Support women in their filmmaking careers

    • Offer educational forums, workshops & events

    • Safeguard the interests of women in film and TV

    • Recognise women's achievements in the NZ industry

    • Build capacity and benefit the screen industry as a whole

  • The Pan-Asian Screen Collective (PASC) aims to represent, provide advocacy and training, and facilitate opportunities behind the camera and on screen for practitioners of Pan-Asian heritage in the Aotearoa New Zealand screen sector.

  • Screen Producers NZ (SPADA) represents screen producers and production companies.

    It advocates and lobbies on behalf of its members in the Aotearoa New Zealand screen industry, organises key training initiatives for producers, and produces the annual SPADA Screen Industry Conference.

  • The New Zealand Writers Guild (NZWG) is the professional membership association & registered trade union of Aotearoa New Zealand script writers. Members range from students to professional script writers.

    NZWG offers a Script Registration Service, Model Contracts, a Rates Guide, and Script Assessment/Reader Services.

  • The Directors and Editors Guild of Aotearoa New Zealand (DEGANZ) represents directors, editors and assistant editors working across screen and new media.

    It hosts professional development programmes & workshops on a regular basis.

  • The New Zealand Cinematographers Society (NZCS) represents Directors of Photography across the country.

    It organises networking events & professional development workshops, hosts the NZCS Awards, and spearheads an initiative for women cinematographers—the Cushla Lewis Gender Diversity Program.

  • The New Zealand Game Developers Association (NZGDA) is open to anyone who is interested in the gaming industry, including artists, animators, game designers, programmers, managers, producers, testers, and more.

    To get involved, check out the Job Listings and Regular Events.

  • Equity New Zealand represents Aotearoa New Zealand performers in live performance, screen and recorded arts.

    It also supplies guidelines for working with performers, including Equity NZ Intimacy Guidelines for Stage and Screen, a Code of Conduct, Safe Stages, and Contracts & Kits.

FILMMAKING TOOLS

  • The NZFC Resource Library is jam-packed with helpful guides, fact sheets, and industry resources. Emerging filmmakers may want to visit the sections on:

    • Guides & Toolkits for New Filmmakers
    • Māori Resources
    • Film Festivals & Markets

  • In the WIFT NZ Resource Library section, you’ll find a helpful list of NZ Industry guidelines, directories, and rates, including:

    • Casting Guidelines NZ
    • New Zealand Writers Guild (NZWG) Collaboration Agreements
    • Sound Post Rates & Composer Fee Cards
    • Screen Industry Child Safety Guidelines
    • Equity NZ Intimacy Guidelines

  • The New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) has created this Short Film Budget Template for emerging filmmakers. It can be customized to your heart’s content.

  • We highly recommend this section on Filmmaker Resources for short filmmakers. You can download a list of suggested international film festivals, browse through articles & guides, and more.

  • The Data Book is an industry directory of NZ film, TV and video companies. The online version has 300+ categories. See the Listings section to begin your search.

JOB POSTINGS

  • Crewlist calls itself the LinkedIn for the film industry—it’s a job app for NZ crew members & production professionals. Check the Crewlist Facebook page for public postings.

  • Film Community NZ is a private Facebook group that posts crew opportunities.

  • The New Zealand Film & Video Group is a public Facebook group with a nationwide presence. Members often post opportunities for work on indie projects.

SOUTHERN PRESS OUTLETS

  • Crux is a community-funded news site that delivers stories & issues-focused public interest journalism to the Southern Lakes region, including Queenstown, Wānaka & Cromwell.

  • The Mountain Scene is a locally owned newspaper established in Queenstown in 1972. It is owned by Allied Press and focuses on news in the Tāhuna/Queenstown & Whakatipu area.

  • The Otago Daily Times is New Zealand’s oldest daily newspaper—it was first published on November 15, 1861 during the Otago Gold Rush. It is owned by Allied Press and delivers national and international news to Otago readers.

  • The Press is daily newspaper & website covering news in Ōtautahi Christchurch and the wider South Island Te Waipounamu.