These guidelines, prepared by NZ Casting Directors in consultation with NZ Actors Agents, outline reasonable expectations in the casting process in the context of the New Zealand screen industry.
Past WIFT NZ administrator Emma Blomkamp has kindly made available her MA thesis for reference on our site. It may interest researchers, students, and anyone seeking to gain an understanding of New Zealand's recent history of short films (especially 1997-2007) and NZFC film funding policy.
A helpful resource for organising your production's workflow. DEGNZ Workflow Best Practice Guide
If you’re working on productions that require external post-production houses, larger budgets or longer schedules, this industry-standard will help ensure a trouble-free post phase for your production.
Packed full of knowledge, tips, templates and examples, this Guide is for editors, producers and anyone who feels their workflow knowledge is a tad rusty.
Equity NZ Intimacy Guidelines, as at 2020.
Produced by DEGNZ, this online resource outlines Workflow best practice for editors and producers who are working on productions that require external post-production houses, larger budgets and longer schedules to ensure a trouble-free post phase for your production.
Published 2020
The New Zealand Writers Guild Collaboration Agreement.
The New Zealand Writers Guild Collaboration Advanced Agreement.
This directory of international feature film sales agents is compiled by Screen Australia, and provides a snapshot of companies representing Australian films around the world.
Included within are details of each seller’s acquisition policy, which markets they attend, at what stage they prefer to be approached and whether they pay
advances.There’s also a list of the Australian films that agents have handled.
Published in September 2025
A poster or trailer is an audience’s first introduction to a film or series. Carnival Studio has produced a no-nonsense guide to creating great key art, so your project gets the amount of eyeballs and bums on seats that it deserves!
The AS/NZS 4249 is the Electrical Safety Standard that productions in Australia and New
Zealand work to.
It makes reference to other Standards in particular AS/NZS3000 Electrical Installations
(Wiring Rules) and AS/NZS 3002 Electrical Installations Shows Carnivals and Events.
Published 24 July, 2024
Guidance on the prevention and response to bullying in the New Zealand screen industry.
This information is primarily based on guidance issued by WorkSafe New Zealand.
Updated 18 July 2024
This document created by the Screen Music & Sound Guild of New Zealand is intended to provide guidance for composers and screen producers on what constitutes a reasonable fee for original music commissioned for New Zealand screen productions.
Published May 2022
This document created by the Screen Music & Sound Guild of New Zealand is intended to provide guidance for composers and screen producers on what constitutes a reasonable fee for original music commissioned for New Zealand screen productions.
Published May 2022
These guidelines from ScreenSafe set minimum recommended standards for the screen sector to
create and maintain child safe environments, free from abuse, exploitation and hazards.
Click here for the ScreenSafe Code of Conduct
Click here for ScreenSafe Reporting guidelines
Updated 18 July 2024.
The DEGNZ Directors’ Rate Card is designed to reinforce the Screen Directors right to adequate fees, fair contracts and reasonable working conditions.
Updated 2024
The Spada Cultural Capability Handbook serves as a guide to fostering authentic, respectful, and inclusive screen productions in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Created to support Producers and productions, the Handbook emphasises the importance of accurately representing Māori, Pasifika, Pan-Asian, and other culturally specific stories, highlighting the unique considerations required for diverse storytelling. This also acknowledges that Pākehā/European productions are another aspect of diversity and inclusion.
The intersection of AI and copyright is complex and still developing, staying informed about legal developments is essential for screenwriters and their creative partners when using AI Tools. This Handbook is intended as a guide only and does not constitute legal advice. NZWG recommends that screenwriters seek out professional advice when utilising AI in any creative work. This can be through the NZWG Contract Advice Service or through a specialist entertainment or Intellectual Property (IP) lawyer. Ensure that your legal expert is experienced with copyright, IP, and rights assignments.
Sustainability is an important role on set but also in pre production. This is a GUIDE of costs to involve sustainability in your practice.
The NZFC has worked in partnership with the Aotearoa screen sector to develop an organisational Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (Strategy) that proactively supports the aspirations of our staff, filmmakers, storytellers, stakeholders, and audiences.