Archive Apr 2017

So you've made a film and you're at the stage of working towards theatrical distribution. All power to your elbow!

The distribution costs for feature films can seem high, says London-based writer and producer Stephen Follows - so he's broken down what is inclu…

Bureau is a new type of workspace in the heart of Wellington. It's designed to make you happier and more productive in your work. Whether you need a primary workspace, or a productive getaway from your home or noisy open-plan office, Bureau could…

Vicky Yiannoutsos, WIFT member and uber-experienced industry type, is running a series of film acting classes in Auckland from April to July. They're aimed at actors, directors and writers, and explore the actor's experience from the "inside out".

Vicky says, "Working with act…

There's a big difference between writing a screenplay and writing a screenplay that people will read till the last page.

Join Script to Screen THIS WEEKEND for a one-day screenwriting workshop with experienced NZ screenwriter Nick Ward (Stickmen, Second-Hand Wedding, Outrageous Fortune, The Almighty Johnsons)…

It's Anzac Day later this month, and as always thoughts turn to Gallipoli - so it's appropriate that there are three chances to see WIFT member Leanne Pooley's striking documentary 25 April.

With dynamic, graphic novel-style animation, 25 April re-imagines the Gallipoli experienc…

Want to get a download from acclaimed director Rob Sarkies about how process can keep your project on track, from development to shoot, and stop you tearing your hair out?

The Directors & Editors Guild of NZ invites you to apply for a 2-day Dire…

NZ On Air's July funding round, the first under the new NZ Media Fund, has now opened. If you're applying for the Scripted and Factual streams, read on!

Each round NZ On Air will release guidelines specific to that round: this week they released…

Heading to the WIFT International Chapter Executive Conference in London next month?

In addition to the CEC Conference (May 14 & 16), WFTV (UK) will be holding a separate conference on Monday 15 May. The WFTV (UK) Making a Difference Conference will bring together top industry experts from the film and TV indu…

Based on an incredible true story, Denial is a gripping drama recounting Deborah E. Lipstadt's (Academy Award winner Rachel Weisz, pictured) legal battle for historical truth against David Irving (Timothy Spall), who accused her of libel when she declared him a Holocaust denier.

De…

Ever wanted to know what your neighbour's story was, your boss's, the woman's standing by the street late at night?

Weave - Yarns with New Zealanders is a new verbatim show performed by Kate McGill and directed by Alice Canton, premiering at Basement …

There's still time to get your pitch together for Doc Pitch, a competition held on Friday 26 May in Auckland as part of the Doc Edge Screen Forum (May 19 and 27).

This is a chance to pitch your documentary proposals to industry expert…

Congratulations to WIFTNZers Jackie van Beek, Carthew Neal, Ainsley Gardner and Georgina Conder - their comedy feature film, The Breaker Upperers, has just begun principal photography in Auckland (March 31). And van Beek hopes it might establish a new way of working f…

Communications Adviser (Audio Visual), Bougainville
VSA (Volunteer Services Abroad) wants someone to assist New Dawn FM to produce quality audio and visual programming, to inform open discussion of political and social issues in Bougainville.

Programmer
Rialto Film Channel is looking for a uniquely …

Writer/director Linda Niccol is looking for a producer for a feature film set in Kapiti. It's a warm-hearted, darkly comedic story about the trials and tribulations of the managers and stall holders at the Saturday Market.

Please email Linda at niccol@actrix.co.nz or call 021 3…

Directors & Editors Guild of NZ (DEGNZ) member and director Helena Brooks has taken up a two-episode directing role on the third series of South Pacific Pictures' (SPP) Channel 7 TV drama production 800 Words, following the successful conclusion of her DEGNZ TV Drama Dire…

Audiences are changing the way they view, the platforms they use, and where they find content. Digital interactive story demands a new fusion, between producers, writers, developers and creative technologists. An intersection of story and 'story-world building'. But how exactly do you incorporate strong narrat…

The New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) today confirms four more films for its annual Autumn Events programme, which will screen in Auckland and Wellington in May.

The latest four films to be announced are:

- The 1954 landmark musical A Star is Born (pictured) with Judy Garland and James Mason.
- Greta Garbo's exquisite…

Writer, actress and film director Frances Edmond invites fellow WIFTNZ members to the Wellington launch of Night Burns with a White Fire: The Essential Lauris Edmond. This is an anthology of her mother's writing, which Frances has co-edited.

Details of the launch are below. Pleas…

Set aside a couple of minutes for this video essay by Jessica McGoff, who highlights the visual strategies English filmmaker Andrea Arnold uses to depict her characters' alienation.

The article also contains links to videos about how directors (including Spike Jonze) and cinematographers can commun…

Do you work at a company that's on the verge of going international? Applications are open until 12 noon, Friday 28 April 2017 for The Prime Minister's Business Scholarships - and the judges are keen to see people apply from diverse sectors, ages and genders.

The Directors & Editors Guild of NZ invites WIFTNZ members to apply for a one-day workshop on Directing & Writing Screen Comedy with Jonathan Brough & Declan Fay in Auckland, taking place on Saturday 13 May.

Award-winning comedy director Jonathan Brough and acclaimed comedy writer/show…

Big ups to Niki Caro for drawing attention to "Hollywood's 'shameful' gender gap" in a recent interview with The Independent. Her latest directorial role, on Disney's mega-budget Mulan, has given her extra prominence in the industry - and as she said, "I look at…

Doc Edge have announced films that highlight the lives of big personalities to open and close this year's festival.

Whitney, Can I Be Me, the poignant and insightful life story of superstar Whitney Houston, has been selected to open the 12th annual Doc Edge Festival. Made…

US-based outfit Genre Summit is offering a free online screenwriting summit for both aspiring and experienced filmmakers.

At Genre Summit 3, they promise a proven formula for success from those that have been successful. From April 24 to 27, working writers, directors and producer…

Last week Statistics New Zealand released the results of its annual Screen Industry Survey (2015/2016), and there's positive news for the screen sector:

� New Zealand's screen industry revenue increased by 3% to $3.3 billion. Film production revenue has more than doubled in the …

After a free screening in Wellington earlier this month, Aucklanders are getting a chance to see The heART of the Matter. (WIFT member Jan Bieringa produced the feature.)

The HeART of the Matter looks at major changes in New Zealand teaching which began afte…

WIFTNZ member Anna Cottrell's fourth series of Great War Stories will screen on national TV for a week from April 19, 2017.

The short documentaries focus on the lesser-known, personal stories of Kiwis during World War I, and will screen before the sports …

Finance Manager
Greenstone TV are looking for a permanent, part-time Finance Manager.

Media Creator
You will be responsible for providing quality imaging services to New Zealand's innovative national museum, Te Papa Tongawera.

Investment Executive
NZFC are looking for someone with a minimum of fi…

Congratulations to WIFTNZ member Zia Mandviwalla, who is one of eight filmmakers awarded a place on Script to Screen's 2017 FilmUp Programme. (We're also stoked to see that five of the eight mentorships are going to women!)

FilmUp is Script to Screen's high-end development prog…

English director and WFTV (Women in Film and Television UK) patron Gurinder Chadha (pictured) is in New Zealand to promote her latest film, Viceroy's House - a lush period drama about the last six months of British rule in India, and the lead…

NZME has announced their highly successful, free video-on-demand website, www.watchme.co.nz, is expanding with the launch of 16 new entertainment series and two new channels, News and Sport - and we're pleased to see the work of a WIFTer and other women in the mix.

La…

All roads lead to Auckland next month for the NZME New Zealand Women's Leadership Symposium (Auckland, June 21-22, 2017).

Organisers say, "Attendees from across New Zealand will come together to explore a wide range of topics including gender equality, leadership, career advancement and life fulfilmen…

NZ On Air has released its annual report of local TV content, and found that New Zealanders enjoyed slightly more new local television content last year but less local content in prime time.

Heading to Cannes? Get ready for drinks under the palms!

Meet like-minded souls and make valuable connections at the Women in Film & Television Cannes International Drinks Reception, hosted by Women in Film & TV (UK).

Date: Monday 22 May
Time: 19:00-20:30
Location:…