First Market is a targeted professional development initiative designed to support New Zealand film producers leading finance on a dramatic feature film or documentary for the first time, to attend the international financing market at 37º South during the Melbourne International Film Festival (6-9 August 2026).
First Market provides travel funding and pairs each participant with an experienced senior producer as a market advisor to provide strategic guidance across preparation, market engagement, and post-market follow-up.
First Market is offered by POP Film Ltd with the support of the NZ Film Commission and in partnership with MIFF 37 South: Bridging the Gap Film Financing Market. This programme has been inspired by conversations held amongst established producers who are members of the NZ Film Producers Alliance (NZFPA) about the importance of market attendance and the need to support emerging producers to upskill as they embark upon financing their first feature films.
Congrats to all, especially our WIFTNZ women!
The following NZ film producers have been selected to participate in the First Market Programme:
Emma Mortimer -market advisor: Georgina Conder
Letisha Tate-Dunning - market advisor: Catherine Fitzgerald
Rachel Fawcett -market advisor: Desray Armstrong
Amanda Jane Robinson -market advisor: Vicky Pope
Angela Cudd: market advisor: Emma Slade