New scheme boosts

Since the middle of last year, the government launched a Screen Production Incentive Fund (SPIF) designed to boost New Zealand’s film and television industry.

The fund provides a five-year pool of funding worth NZ$68.5 million. It is administered by the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) which is actively involved in the development of the fund and its eligibility criteria.

The fund will provide a 40 per cent grant on qualifying New Zealand feature film production expenditure, and a 20 per cent grant on qualifying New Zealand television and other screen production expenditure.

“The New Zealand screen industry has been rightly concerned about the risks of important New Zealand screen projects moving offshore to take advantage of other opportunities, such as a grant scheme similar to this in Australia,” said David Cullwick, chairman of the NZFC.

“The funding is structured in such a way that fluctuations in demand on the fund can be managed across multiple years, to ensure that all eligible projects will receive a grant. The funding is baselined at NZ$14.75 million a year.“

“With the creation of this new fund to support domestic film and television, the Large Budget Screen Production Grant and other government initiatives such as the funding available through Creative New Zealand, New Zealand On Air, Te Mangai Paho, and TVNZ’s charter funding, we now have a full slate of government mechanisms to support the Kiwi screen industry.

“I am confident that this fund will bring considerable benefits to the New Zealand screen production industry. The feedback received from the sector on the concept for the Fund has been extremely positive,” Cullwick added.

With the aid of the fund and various schemes, 2008 has been a busy and significant year for New Zealand with six domestic theatrical releases, increased local TV and DVD audiences for films, strong international sales and festival premieres.

“In the past year more than two million New Zealanders watched New Zealand-made films supported by the NZFC. Our top movies have reached more than 95 per cent of the population and have become part of our popular culture,” said Cullwick.

While the commercial success of films in cinemas, and their continuing life on DVD and TV, is hugely important, the bigger job still is to ensure the industry remains viable. The NZFC is working hard with the industry to maintain filmmakers’ skills in an environment of rapid technological and market change.

Films in production include:

Kingdom Come

A new movie about Jesus Christ shot in New Zealand’s capital city Wellington. Kingdom Come swings into production in early 2009 with filming taking place in Peter Jackson’s studios and rural South Island locations. The big-budget film is being made by South Vineyard, whose Japan-based directors Paul and Joshua Broman and Naoyuki Baba are also executive producers for the movie.

The Truth About Men

The Truth About Men is written by political cartoonist and playwright Tom Scott, who is producing the film with Angela Littlejohn and Mark Overett, and is scheduled for release in late 2009. Already pre-sold to Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Belgium and Indonesia, the feature is the third to be directed by internationally acclaimed Australian-based New Zealander Paul Middleditch.

Show of Hands

Anthony McCarten’s second feature Show of Hands has just been released in New Zealand. Shot in Taranaki and starring Taranaki-born Melanie Lynskey, it tells a story of desperation, determination and love - involving a gruelling endurance contest. It is based around a real life competition where to win a car contestants have to keep their hands on it.

Dean Spanley

Eight-times Academy Award nominee Peter O’Toole stars alongside New Zealander Sam Neill. Dean Spanley has already had several showings at film festivals and received a standing ovation at the 2008 Toronto film festival. Dean Spanley is a whimsical tale of fathers, sons, and dogs. The film is set in Victorian England, and was shot both in the UK and NZ.

Apron Strings

Apron Strings also appeared at the 2008 Toronto film festival.

Set in suburban New Zealand, it is a parallel story of two families and two cultures: Pakeha NZ and Indian. Directed by Sima Urale, the film was shot in the multi-cultural southern suburbs of Auckland. The cast is headed by Bollywood star Laila Rouass.

Films in post-production:

Under the Mountain

Jonathan King’s sci-fi adventure based on NZ author Maurice Gee’s Under The Mountain has just finished filming and is now in post-production. Weta Workshop is handling creature effects. Sam Neill heads the cast, with newcomers Sophie McBride and Tom Cameron playing teenage twins who battle alien forces hidden beneath Auckland’s volcanoes.

Laundry Warrior

With a 2009 release date, and a NZ$46 million budget, Laundry Warrior is filmed mainly in West Auckland, it stars Geoffrey Rush, Kate Bosworth (ex-Superman) and Tony Cox.

Vintner’s Luck

Niki Caro’s Vintner’s Luck, from the book by NZ writer Elizabeth Knox and starring Keisha Castle-Hughes, is in post-production with likely release in February 2009. It is shot during harvest time in a West Auckland vineyard, and in France.

The Dam Busters / Lovely Bones

Peter Jackson’s remake of The Dam Busters is in post-production, along with Lovely Bones starring Rachel Weisz and Mark Wahlberg. Due for release late 2009. ASIAIMAGE