The Auckland City Council plans to increase its funding for Film Auckland by more than 300 percent. The City Development Committee voted last week to increase the contribution to the film industry body from the current annual allocation of $45,000 to $150,000 for 2010/2011. The funding agreement, which goes to council for endorsement at the end of May, aims to give Film Auckland enough time to finalise long-term funding arrangements following the transition to Auckland Council.
The council is also close to finalising the Auckland City Council Film Protocol which aims to create a more film friendly city, and has invited feedback from the film and television industry, with the expectation that the protocol becomes active in July. The draft version of the film protocol will be posted on the Auckland City Council website later this week.