Archived News 2010
New Zealand shows its commitment to the film industry
29th October 2010
Film New Zealand says the whole country has clearly shown its commitment to the international film industry by easing the way for blockbuster projects like The Hobbit to be filmed here.
Chief Executive Gisella Carr says with the industrial issues settled, New Zealand has reinforced its place as a straightforward and great place to film and, remarkably given New Zealand’s size, a country where the most ambitious blockbuster films in the world can be safely made.
“We are known for our solution-focused commonsense approach and that has been demonstrated in the agreement with Warners to keep The Hobbit in New Zealand.”
She says crucial to the success of the negotiations was the strong partnership between the government and the industry.
“Not only that, the whole country came to the party showing that film-making is regarded here as a national treasure.”
Gisella Carr says business is solid in New Zealand. International projects, both those under discussion and those in development, running at about the same level as previous years.
She says New Zealand has been very successful in winning international business in what is a brutally competitive market.
“The last twelve years has show sustained activity and growth with major features such as the Lord of the Rings trilogy, 10,000 B.C., The Last Samurai, Avatar and now of course The Hobbit. Every country in the world would want to be the production home of The Hobbit and New Zealand is delighted to have secured it.
“Possibly less high profile but equally important to the health of the New Zealand screen industry is our ongoing record since the 1990s in long form international television production based in Auckland, including currently Spartacus and Power Rangers.”
She says the outstanding technical skills and creativity available in New Zealand, along with our astonishing landscapes and the strong backing of the government, continues to encourage film-makers to bring their projects here.
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