Time is ticking on screenwriter-only feature film script development grants

Time is ticking on screenwriter-only feature film script development grants

Posted Monday 08 Aug 2022

Yes folks, the deadline for applying to round 2 of the NZWG Seed grants is Friday 16 September at 12 noon. These grants allow writers to be innovative, brilliant, and to create something they own. The writer is the rights holder, and not working with…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/time-is-ticking-on-screenwriter-only-feature-film-script-development-grants/
Harcourt a supremely world-class connector

Harcourt a supremely world-class connector

Posted Tuesday 06 Sep 2022

Congratulations to Miranda Harcourt, recipient of the 2022 Kea Supreme World Class New Zealand Award! 

These awards recognise those who have demonstrated the unique power of Kiwi connection and used it to benefit Aotearoa. 

In an article on Kea's website, Miranda talks about her career…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/harcourt-a-supremely-world-class-connector/
Shout out to WIFT member for role in Emmy-award winning series

Shout out to WIFT member for role in Emmy-award winning series

Posted Tuesday 06 Sep 2022

A huge round of applause to Wingnut's Clare Olssen who co-produced Sir Peter Jackson's Beatles documentary, Get Back, which won all five categories it was nominated for in the 2022 Creative Arts Emmys.

The eight-part series won in the Documentary/Nonfiction Series, and beat out Netflix's

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/shout-out-to-wift-member-for-role-in-emmy-award-winning-series/
Pope's Kiwi co-pro receives funding

Pope's Kiwi co-pro receives funding

Posted Tuesday 06 Sep 2022

Great news for Vicky Pope, a producer on the feature film Went Up The Hill which is among the nine projects to share in $12 million of production funding from Screen Australia.

Went Up The Hill is a New Zealand/Australian co-production from writer/director Samuel Van…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/pope-s-kiwi-co-pro-receives-funding/
Thinking of pitching to Netflix? Tune in to these webinars first!

Thinking of pitching to Netflix? Tune in to these webinars first!

Posted Tuesday 06 Sep 2022

Tune in to these WIFTI webinars for a better understanding of what Netflix is looking for. They're early, so we'll make sure you have access to any recordings.

First up on Tuesday 13 September, Chris Mack, Director of Grow Creative for Netflix International Originals, delves…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/thinking-of-pitching-to-netflix-tune-in-to-these-webinars-first/
Welcome to members who have joined since July

Welcome to members who have joined since July

Posted Tuesday 06 Sep 2022

This is what happens when you forget to keep up with the welcoming! We also give a warm welcome to these members, who have joined us since July:

Matthew Horrocks, Karen Anslow, Ellie Campbell, Mia Gaudin, Linda Hughes, Jaunnie Ilolahia, Ariana Namana, Nkhaya Paulsen-More, Sue…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/welcome-to-members-who-have-joined-since-july/
Welcome to our new members

Welcome to our new members

Posted Tuesday 06 Sep 2022

A warm WIFT welcome to these new members who joined in April, May and June: 

Sally Woodfield, Safia Van der Zwan, Lucy Edwards, Lucy Spence, Sophie Hamilton, Janine Gray Lum, Amanda Robertshawe, Carrisse Utai, Nina Nawalowalo, Kasaya Manulevu, Adrian Stevanon, Nicole Whippy, Shelly Quinn, Lisa…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/welcome-to-our-new-members/
Member Profile: Malinna Liang

Member Profile: Malinna Liang

Posted Monday 05 Sep 2022

Writer Malinna Liang is a first generation Chinese-New Zealand writer based in Auckland. She is a writer on TVNZ/Greenstone’s My Life is Murder and was a storyliner on Vegas. Her prose has been published in Landfall and Auckland University Press’s A Clear Dawn.

She was…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/member-profile-malinna-liang/
VIDEO SLOT #1 Self Help

VIDEO SLOT #1 Self Help

Posted Monday 05 Sep 2022

Congratulations to the team at Wrestler for releasing the first season of an eight-part web series that comically explores the world of self help and the idea of beings being better beings.

Self Help follows main character Nikau (Conan Hayes)  as he struggles to find…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/video-slot-1-self-help/
VIDEO SLOT #2 Milk

VIDEO SLOT #2 Milk

Posted Tuesday 06 Sep 2022

Writer/director Celia Jasper's multi-award winning short film Milk has been released online and is free to watch! After 18 months on the festival circuit, Celia and her team is delighted to share it with you.

Milk’s charm stems from an intergenerational money transfer of kindness,…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/video-slot-2-milk/
WIN double passes to Fire Of Love

WIN double passes to Fire Of Love

Posted Tuesday 06 Sep 2022

Intrepid French scientists Katia and Maurice Krafft devoted their lives to uncovering the mystery of volcanoes, chasing fire around the world and in the process capturing some of the most spectacular imagery of the earth ever recorded. Told through the lenses of this magnetic couple,…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/win-double-passes-to-fire-of-love/
48Hours Regional Finals tickets now on sale!

48Hours Regional Finals tickets now on sale!

Posted Tuesday 06 Sep 2022

The Vista Foundation 48Hours is presenting eight regional finals throughout the country during September and early October.

Catch some entertaining short films and support our local filmmakers by going along to watch their work. Tickets are available to anyone - but be quick! Seating in…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/48hours-regional-finals-tickets-now-on-sale/
Gender Diversity DP intern placements available in Auckland

Gender Diversity DP intern placements available in Auckland

Posted Tuesday 06 Sep 2022

Calling all camera people! 

The NZCS has negotiated two mid-career cinematographer placements on an international TV series based in Auckland, under the Cushla Lewis Gender Diversity Programme, part-sponsored by the NZ Film Commission Screen Capability Fund and the local production company.

The Attachments provide the…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/gender-diversity-dp-intern-placements-available-in-auckland/
Screenwriting workshop with Fiona Samuels

Screenwriting workshop with Fiona Samuels

Posted Tuesday 06 Sep 2022

How does an idea become a story, and how does a story become a series? This one-day workshop digs into those all-important first steps that take you from the very beginnings of an idea to having a developed project you can use to attract collaborators,…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/screenwriting-workshop-with-fiona-samuels/
Are you the next Wellington Write Room resident?

Are you the next Wellington Write Room resident?

Posted Monday 05 Sep 2022

Applications are now open for the Write Room 2023 Wellington screenwriting residency. The successful writer will receive a grant of $9,750 to complete a draft of their screenplay, 12 weeks of free office space at Toi Pōneke Art Centre from February - April 2023, and…
/news/news-archive/2022/sep/are-you-the-next-wellington-write-room-resident/
NZ On Air November funding round information

NZ On Air November funding round information

Posted Monday 05 Sep 2022

If you're intending to make a funding application to the Scripted, Factual, Content Development or Industry Development streams of the NZ Media Fund, read on!

November is the third round of the 2022/2023 financial year and is focused on projects intended for general audiences. Factual,…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/nz-on-air-november-funding-round-information/
Learn from these Kiwi filmmakers - tutorials online now!

Learn from these Kiwi filmmakers - tutorials online now!

Posted Monday 05 Sep 2022

Hear from talented filmmakers (including a number of WIFT-ers) about how to develop your own short film or web series.

Script to Screen has launched a series of video tutorials where New Zealand filmmakers share their knowledge and advice on how to find a good…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/learn-from-these-kiwi-filmmakers-tutorials-online-now/
The early bird catches the Doc Edge Festival discount!

The early bird catches the Doc Edge Festival discount!

Posted Monday 05 Sep 2022

Doc Edge Festival 2023 is now open for submissions. Submit your film now or before 15 September 2022 to receive the Earlybird discount. If you are not quite ready, the later deadlines are:

15 December 2022 - Regular

31 December 2022 - Late

15 January…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/the-early-bird-catches-the-doc-edge-festival-discount/
Upcoming Doc Edge Clinics

Upcoming Doc Edge Clinics

Posted Monday 05 Sep 2022

And while we’re on the subject, the Doc Edge Clinics are now open for registration too. These are all virtual, and available to anyone, anywhere in the world!

This year’s workshops will cover publicity essentials, interviewing techniques, rights and licences that could help monetise your…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/upcoming-doc-edge-clinics/
Public Interest Journalism Fund information

Public Interest Journalism Fund information

Posted Monday 05 Sep 2022

The penultimate round of the Public Interest Journalism Fund (PIJF) invites applications to all three pillars of the fund - Roles, Projects and Industry Development.

Here is NZ On Air's update on this last round:

The criteria specific to this round are available here. It's also…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/public-interest-journalism-fund-information/
RNZ Commissioning for General Audiences

RNZ Commissioning for General Audiences

Posted Monday 05 Sep 2022

RNZ says it has had plenty of interest regarding the current and upcoming General Audience funding rounds for Te Māngai Pāho and NZOA.

Here's RNZ's update on those rounds:

Te Māngai Pāho - General Audiences 2 [Open]
RNZ Commissioning will only be looking at supporting returning…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/rnz-commissioning-for-general-audiences/
Do directors need to take a 'humility pill' to cope with the changing landscape?

Do directors need to take a 'humility pill' to cope with the changing landscape?

Posted Tuesday 06 Sep 2022

Here's a thought-provoking read. IF.com.au reports on the opening session at the Australian Directors' Guild conference where director Rachel Ward said directors working in the streaming landscape and alongside showrunners must take a “humility pill".

The director of films such as Beautiful Kate and Palm…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/do-directors-need-to-take-a-humility-pill-to-cope-with-the-changing-landscape/

September work opportunities

Posted Tuesday 20 Sep 2022

Editor Roles on Avatar 3
880 Productions is looking for Editorial Crew to work on Avatar 3 in Wellington. They need 2 x assistant editors, an apprentice editor and an editorial intern to join the established team at Stone Street. Roles would start in November /…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/september-work-opportunities/
Director Michelle Savill on Millie Lies Low

Director Michelle Savill on Millie Lies Low

Posted Monday 08 Aug 2022

We talked to Michelle Savill about directing, human behaviour, and about being on set while recovering from major surgery.

Michelle Savill is the creator, co-writer and the director of Millie Lies Low, her first feature film. Michelle's previous films are shorts and include Ellen Is…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/director-michelle-savill-on-millie-lies-low/
A Wave in the Ocean participants announced

A Wave in the Ocean participants announced

Posted Tuesday 20 Sep 2022

A big congratulations to Prisca Bouchet and Todd Karehana who are among the 10 filmmakers selected to take part in the Netflix-supported Directors’ Intensive A Wave in the Ocean programme, with Artistic Director Jane Campion and Co-Director Philippa Campbell.
The remaining eight participants are: Ana Scotney,…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/a-wave-in-the-ocean-participants-announced/
Tansley's The Finding selected for Show Me Shorts

Tansley's The Finding selected for Show Me Shorts

Posted Tuesday 20 Sep 2022

Following eight festival selections in Europe and North America, Rebecca Tansley's short film The Finding will be seen by New Zealand audiences at the Show Me Shorts festival which opens in Auckland on Friday 7 October.

The Finding screens at Rialto Cinemas in Auckland's Newmarket…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/tansley-s-the-finding-selected-for-show-me-shorts/
Eight to include training and diversity line in every budget

Eight to include training and diversity line in every budget

Posted Tuesday 20 Sep 2022

Ka pai to Katie Millington (pictured) and Lib Kelly! This week the pair announced their production company Eight's intention to include a line in every production budget that will go towards the mentorship and training of underrepresented groups in our industry at full applicable rates.…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/eight-to-include-training-and-diversity-line-in-every-budget/
Crummett's short horror to premiere at ScreamfestLA

Crummett's short horror to premiere at ScreamfestLA

Posted Tuesday 20 Sep 2022

Congratulations to Elizabeth Crummett whose short film The Understudy will have its world premiere at Screamfest LA in October. Specialising in horror, thrillers and sci-fi movies from all around the world, Screamfest is the longest-running and most famous horror film festival in North America.

Elizabeth…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/crummett-s-short-horror-to-premiere-at-screamfestla/
VIDEO SLOT Kingmaker

VIDEO SLOT Kingmaker

Posted Monday 19 Sep 2022

Tami Neilson unveiled her new album Kingmaker alongside a video for the record's absolutely gigantic title track. Directed by Alyx Duncan and produced by Emma Mortimer, the song's striking visuals depict the golden-gowned artist roaming through the rubble of Tāmaki Makaurau's once-resplendent St. James Theatre,…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/video-slot-kingmaker/
Diverse Voices: Making Screen Work Different

Diverse Voices: Making Screen Work Different

Posted Monday 19 Sep 2022

Check out these six Wellingtonian innovators who are disrupting the status quo with their approaches to screen work and learn how their different backgrounds influence the stories they want to tell, as well as their screen practices. 

WIFT NZ members Kathleen Winter and Casey Zilbert…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/diverse-voices-making-screen-work-different/
A Boy Called Piano stage play touring NZ in October

A Boy Called Piano stage play touring NZ in October

Posted Monday 19 Sep 2022

Support a fellow WIFT member and enjoy a night at the theatre taking in this powerful and acclaimed work. Directed by WIFT member Nina Nawalowalo, the stage show A Boy Called Piano will embark on its national tour next month. 

Performed by Pacific New Zealand…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/a-boy-called-piano-stage-play-touring-nz-in-october/
WIN tickets to Millie Lies Low

WIN tickets to Millie Lies Low

Posted Thursday 15 Sep 2022

This long-awaited feature film is coming to NZ cinemas on 29 September, and we have double passes to give away! It's directed by Michelle Savill, produced by Desray Armstrong and Angela Littlejohn and stars Ana Scotney as Millie.

Anxiety-ridden Millie is on her way from…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/win-tickets-to-millie-lies-low/
IMDbPro Roadshow materials available online

IMDbPro Roadshow materials available online

Posted Monday 19 Sep 2022

If you attended the IMDbPro Roadshow on 28 April, or would like some notes on the session, you'll find the follow-up materials at this link with a breakdown of the items discussed in more detail.

Remember that as a WITI member, you are eligible to receive…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/imdbpro-roadshow-materials-available-online/
Grab your tickets to the Vista Foundation 48Hours City Finals!

Grab your tickets to the Vista Foundation 48Hours City Finals!

Posted Tuesday 20 Sep 2022

The Vista Foundation 48Hours is over halfway through its City Finals around the country. Go along to a city final near you and enjoy these short films on the big screen! We know many of you will have been involved but it's hard for us…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/grab-your-tickets-to-the-vista-foundation-48hours-city-finals/
Show Me Shorts Festival opening nights

Show Me Shorts Festival opening nights

Posted Monday 19 Sep 2022

My, how New Zealand’s biggest little film festival has grown! This is by far the largest programme ever for Show Me Shorts, with 92 short films and music videos selected. 

Click here for the festival trailer

Click here to see the thirteen themed sections of the…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/show-me-shorts-festival-opening-nights/
Directing in the Intimate Zone workshops for Wellington and Rotorua

Directing in the Intimate Zone workshops for Wellington and Rotorua

Posted Monday 19 Sep 2022

Remove the fear and create a safe, creative work environment with this practical introduction to directing on-screen intimacy.

DEGANZ invites directors, producers, casting directors and 1st ADs to receive training on considerations and respectful processes when working on a range of ‘intimate scenes’.

In this…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/directing-in-the-intimate-zone-workshops-for-wellington-and-rotorua/
Register now for the South Auckland Short Film Workshop

Register now for the South Auckland Short Film Workshop

Posted Tuesday 20 Sep 2022

Calling all aspiring filmmakers, storytellers and creatives! Do you want to learn how to use the power of cinema to tell your stories?

The 2022 South Auckland Short Film Workshop is a two-day workshop about how to turn an idea into a short film. Whether…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/register-now-for-the-south-auckland-short-film-workshop/
Focus offers connections across the globe

Focus offers connections across the globe

Posted Monday 19 Sep 2022

Whether you’re in film, TV, advertising, animation or games, this annual event has something to offer. Registration is now open for FOCUS, the meeting place for international production. 

Find filming solutions and production intelligence for all types of project and all levels of budget, from…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/focus-offers-connections-across-the-globe/
Content London's latest line-up

Content London's latest line-up

Posted Monday 19 Sep 2022

ABC, ZDF, ITV, BBC and SVT are the latest channels to join the Formats & Factual commissioners strand at this year's Content London conference.

Content London will run three full days of Formats & Factual sessions alongside the Drama strand. Hear from some of the world’s…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/content-london-s-latest-line-up/
Ten things to know before you travel overseas

Ten things to know before you travel overseas

Posted Tuesday 20 Sep 2022

The borders have opened and many of you are now able to travel overseas again. Hooray! But some things to do with travel have changed. If you haven't left the country since pre-Covid times, read the article below from The Spinoff to make sure the…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/ten-things-to-know-before-you-travel-overseas/
A good read for culture vultures

A good read for culture vultures

Posted Tuesday 20 Sep 2022

Here's some essential reading for anyone interested in the arts. Auckland academic/writer/critic Roger Horrocks interviewed a number of New Zealand artists, writers, musicians, painters and filmmakers for his book, Culture in a Small Country: The Arts in New Zealand. The work includes a history of…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/a-good-read-for-culture-vultures/
Women’s Voices Now Film Festival seeks submissions

Women’s Voices Now Film Festival seeks submissions

Posted Tuesday 20 Sep 2022

Do you have a film that addresses or shines light upon issues affecting women and/or girls through a social-change lens? Enter it in Women's Voices Now, a women’s rights documentary film festival recognising films by women that advocate for global gender equality.

WVN accepts documentary…

/news/news-archive/2022/sep/women-s-voices-now-film-festival-seeks-submissions/