New Zealand screen industry earnings have broken the $3 billion
barrier for the first time. Statistics New Zealand figures released
recently show the industry grew by 10 percent to reach revenue of
$3.29 billion last year. The survey tracks revenue and other
indicators in film and television production and post-production,
film distribution and television broadcasting in the twelve months
to 1 April 2012.
Income from production and post-production, for the first time,
made up just over half of the total, at $1.67 billion. This is
significant as it is the sector which is creating growth,
particularly from feature films. Revenue from feature films rose
almost 50 percent to top $1 billion for the first time.
While these figures are something that could barely have been
imagined a generation ago, screen work is by nature volatile and
project-driven, and not all sectors of the industry are
experiencing the same growth. The challenge is as always to get
sustained work for New Zealand.
In such a changeable industry any one year's results cannot be
looked at in isolation. The crucial thing is the trend over time.
And what the figures consistently show is that the industry is
continuing to grow, and has good reason to be proud of its
achievements.