Archive May 2020

This winter we'll be enjoying the New Zealand International Film Festival from the comfort of our own homes. With COVID-19 restrictions in place and likely to continue for some months, cinemas and entertainment venues around the country are closed or will remain under stringent gathe…

Check out Dr Julia Reynolds' first feature film, science-fiction epic Shepherd, now available online at Vimeo. Shepherd tells the story of sixteen-year-old Eden (played by Reynolds' daughter Olivia) who is struggling to survive in a dystopian future. When Eden comes across an old t…

Independent New Zealand screen production company Fearless Productions' debut television project Runaway Millionaires has been honoured with a total of four medals at the 2020 New York Festivals Film & TV Awards.

Runaway Millionaires is the gripping true story of Kara Hurring and Leo Gao,…

Capital-dwellers, please update your details for Screen Wellington to ensure you're accurately represented, especially in this post-Covid situation. There's a tiny bit of admin involved, but it'll be worth it because every bit of information received makes it easier for clients to find you!

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When COVID-19 shut the doors of the Toi Matarau gallery and exhibition space in late March, it cut short months of preparation that had gone towards the seventh M?oriland Film Festival. So the M?oriland team quickly adopted Plan B, and Toi Matarau …

Yes, says Screen Auckland, even those places which previously didn't require a permit because they were deemed "low impact". So, as of now, all filming on public space in Auckland requires a permit due to Covid-19 risks. These will be fast-tracked as …

We're very pleased to hear that the New Zealand Television Awards are returning in 2020, albeit in a slightly differentl format. The Craft and Gala awards ceremonies will now be merged into one, and, as there's still uncertainty around when mass gathering Covid-19 restrictions …

We were thrilled to see so many members among the 12 screen producers of M?ori, Pasifika and Pan-Asian heritage selected for a new screen development programme created to address the need for more culturally diverse producers in the NZ screen industry. Well do…

Hear from some of the key members of the Screen Strategy 2030 Facilitation Group including WIFT member Rachael Antony at this Auckland Screen Alliance online session. Topics to be covered include outlining potential opportunities for the screen industry, how the industry will work in a COVID-19 environ…

We're thrilled to see that Magnolia Lowe's documentary series Water-Rapuhia, kimihia: Quest for knowledge has just been launched on Newsroom. We recommend you watch this series, it really is unmissable.

Click here to see the series trailer

Click here to see the first episode, Fresh Water

The way is clear for local production to re-start in New Zealand after the local screen industry's COVID-19 Health and Safety Standard and Protocols were endorsed on 7 May by New Zealand Government agency WorkSafe.

Funded by the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC), the Standard…

Here's a fabulous opportunity for mentorship that we hope lots of you will apply for! The NZ Film Commission's Hunga Taunaki ā Rorohiko - Online Mentorship Programme is focused on learning, project and career development for writers, directors, cinematographers and production designers who are at…

HEIHEI, the safe, ad-free home for children's media content is moving its shows to TVNZ OnDemand from next week. HEIHEI has been available on a standalone website HEIHEI.nz and available as an iOS and Android app, but the underlying platform will no longer be supported,…

After watching 2118 entries from around the country and overseas, the judges of the 2020 VF48Hours: Lockdown competition have made their decision! The judges (including WIFT members Chelsea Winstanley and Tom Sainsbury) chose For Generations by Squint Eastwood, described as a "relatable animated sci-fi comedy…

We're sure you'll want to virtually attend this event run by DEGNZ and the Screen Composers Guild of NZ. Via Facebook Live this discussion highlights the importance of communication and teamwork between an Editor and a Film Composer. Will they be friends or foes by…

We're happy to see the formation of PISA (Pacific Islands Screen Artists), a newly formed body for Pacific Screen Artists in Aotearoa who work, study, or are interested in the screen industry. We're also pleased to see WIFT member Vea Mafile'o among the founders! We're…

Celia Jaspers combined her editing skills, family and lockdown time recently and created the Best Family Film of the VF48Hours: Lockdown! She reports the win was "Quite a shock, but wonderful."
Celia had Canon 5D3 at home and a gimbal and because she's an editor she…

The 14th International Documentary Forum will be the first Australasian industry event to go online since Covid-19. Don't worry, the sessions have been specially planned so you're not staring at your screen all day (or all night if you're in Europe). Spend a few hours…

A round of applause for Vanessa Wells, Katherine McRae and Mandi Lynn who were finalists in the Doc Edge Pitch! Our fingers are crossed for you all!

Our video slot for today features Kathleen Winter's Covid-inspired short, Remote New World, which won the Shoestring Film Challenge 2020. Lockdown Level 4 has been extended in New Zealand, and one woman is getting through it alone, helped by a series of increasingly forceful government…

Reporter/editor

New Zealand Messengers (Chinese Media)

Photography tutor

Focus Education A-Plus

Communications advisor
Auckland Transport

Kaihaut? - fundraising development
Te Pou Maori theatre space

Game and digital…

Applications close at 1pm on 18 May, 2020 for this worthwhile scholarship so get applying now! Jackie van Beek and Madeleine Sami are the patrons, and they're keen to hear from those passionate about their creative work, can prove they have been working hard writing…

The organisers are still planning to hold Aesthetica from 4-8 November in York, UK, so submit your short films now for a chance to win screenings at this leading UK short film festival, plus win awards and gain further exposure for your work!

ASFF Prizes…

Thanks to Kahli Scott for sharing the beautiful new Film Otago Southland Locations Showreel. Sit back, relax and be taken on a journey through the stunning Otago and Southland region. "From mountains to coast, all these diverse cinematic locations really do fit into one small…

The real skill of a comedy director is working out what kind of funny suits each project. In this  online workshop from DEGNZ, award-winning director Jonathan Brough teaches comedy directing skills with an emphasis on 'serious comedy' (a la Fleabag and Please Like Me). He'll…

Get those submissions in folks, the final deadline is 1 June 2020 (although there's an extended deadline of 1 July, 2020). Set to take place during 2-25 October 2020, this will be the 15th edition of Show Me Shorts, and programmers are looking for cinematic…

The global pandemic has caused significant change to film distribution, exhibition and insurance. These key areas have disrupted the financing structures that underpin how films are packaged. In response, the New Zealand Film Commission has developed a policy document outlining changes to its Terms of…

It's wonderful to see so many WIFTers featuring in projects that benefit from the latest NZFC funding decisions. The NZFC has approved prduction investment for Welby Ing's directorial feature debut Punch, produced by Robin Murphy, executive produced by Catherine Fitzgerald and distributed in New Zealand…

Congratulations to Charlotte Evans, Rachel Ross and Kathleen Winter who have been selected for the fourth DEGNZ Emerging Women Filmmakers Incubator. From June onwards, these lucky directors will take part in five one-day workshops facilitated by producer Philippa Campbell and tailored to provide specific knowledge,…

What a great idea, and thanks to Mee Moi Edgar for alerting us to these two online workshops offered by Toi Pōneke Arts Centre and facilitated by Claire O'Loughlin. Here's an outline of what the course will cover:

Workshop 1: CVs and Cover Letters

Most…

Enjoy this highly relevant conversation which reflects on the tremendous growth spurt Auckland is experiencing and how the sector has responded to the COVID-19 shock so far. Moderated by Carol Hirschfeld the forum highlights a cohesive, collective awareness of key directions, and brings a focus…

It's great to see that non-members can access some past webinars on the New Zealand Cinematographers Society (NZCA) website.

Click this link to watch the following webinars:

Webinar# 2 Conversation with David Paul, NZCS

Having often produced amazing results with scant resources compared to international productions,…

This week's video slot is filled by Marks of Mana, directed by Lisa Taouma. Across the Moana the art of tatau is legendary, but the marks for women contain stories and meanings that are often little known, especially for new generations. Marks of Mana explores…

Watch out for producer Ruth Korver and director Ness Patea's wonderful doco Tapu Te Ranga Marae which will be premiering online at the upcoming Doc Edge Festival 2020. Six years in the making, their documentary tells the rich history of the marae as told by…

Screenwriters, here's a great opportunity to hone your craft. The next Emerging Artists Trust (EAT)  writers' course in Wellington will be Crafting the Feature Film, a seven-session workshop facilitated by Dr Gavin McGibbon. This course is about exploring the idea you have, finding inspiration in…

Wellingtonian theatre director and writer Stella Reid is the recipient of the Toi Pōneke Arts Centre's 2020 Write Room Screenwriter's Residency. Stella will be in residence at Toi Pōneke Arts Centre from June to September to work on her project The Band of the True…

Wouldn't it be amazing if more women were employed in the technical craft side of the screen industry? Well, here's an excellent opportunity to get some technical training!
The Techno Dolly training course will run in Auckland through Share The Knowledge on these dates:
June 11,…

Pick the brains of some successful leaders in this topical webinar run by the Auckland Screen Alliance. A panel of leadership experts will explore how leaders of screen industry businesses can connect authentically with their people. Learn also how relationships with employees and contractors can…

Support a fellow WIFTer and donate to Valeriya Golovina's BOOSTED campaign which is raising money for her short documentary Mawhialeo Ote Alowha / Our Love. The doco tells the story of Meli and Avito Alefosio who came to New Zealand from Tokelau in the 1970s…

Intellectual Property can be a particularly complex area for the creative sector, so the good folk at Showtools are running a livestream event on it next week. Titled IP: What is it, who owns it, and how is it valued? the session will feature Lynell…

Register now for the 14th annual Doc Edge Forum, online and worldwide from this Friday 29 May - Monday 1 June. Thank goodness it's a holiday weekend (for those in New Zealand at least) because Doc Edge has crammed in as much as they could…

Upskill - Techno Dolly Training Course

Senior Policy Advisor Screen Sector
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

Production and Facilities Manager, Creative Industries
UNITEC

Morning Report Producer
RNZ

General Manager
New Zealand International Film Festival

Head of Programmable Media
Together

Music Produce…

Rialto Channel's vlogger Francesca Rudkin spoke to filmmaker Alena Lodkina (pictured) about her film Strange Colours. Alena is a Russian-born filmmaker based in Melbourne, and one of an emerging generation of Australian experimental filmmakers. Her film follows psychology student Milena as she travels to a…

A round of applause for members Ghazaleh Golbaksh, Kim Harrop, Jessica Karamjeet, Hweiling Ow, Tema Pua, Sapna Samant and Phoebe Shum who were selected for the Pan-Asian Screen Collective (PASC) short film development lab. Called Short Cuts and supported by the NZ Film Commission, the…