We're delighted to hear that Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga New Zealand Film Commission has created the 125 Fund, and we encourage you, dear members, to apply! It's open to dramatic features in any genre and offering an investment of $1.25 million each for up to two projects where the director and at least one other key creative is a woman. What's also great is that the 125 Fund is part of a larger plan for inclusion and diversity in the New Zealand screen sector. Research and policy development is already underway to create programmes and funding that will support and encourage under-represented voices in the film industry. NZFC CEO Annabelle Sheehan said, "With this unique initiative, we want to encourage ambitious women's voices and diverse scripts which depict meaningful representations of women in both character and story and provide new opportunities forNew Zealand women filmmakers." We couldn't agree more!
And still on the funding note, we're delighted at the funding news for Pasifika feature film Vai, which will be produced by Waru producers, Kerry Warkia and Kiel McNaughton.
IMAGE/nzfilm.co.nz