Issue date: 
Thursday, 12 June 2014

The New Zealand Film Commission, NZ On Air and Film New Zealand are pleased to announce they will be working even more closely together in the interests of the New Zealand screen sector.

While the agencies already collaborate on a number of projects, this process is now being formalised under a new "virtual agency", Screen NZ. 

Screen NZ has a common goal and an initial set of practical initiatives in areas such as research, marketing, skills and talent development and work with other Government agencies.

The new initiatives will include joint marketing of the New Zealand screen industry’s capability and the Government’s new production incentives overseas, and sharing and collaborating on research to guide screen sector growth. The agencies will also consider pre-industry training, and explore opportunities for screen industry businesses to diversify across the sector. 

Some of the initiatives will involve all three agencies, but some will involve just two, depending on their nature.

“The three agencies already share an interest in screen sector growth and ensuring great films and television are made,” says NZFC Chief Executive Dave Gibson.  “This formalises our shared interest and will increase the work we already do together.”

“NZ On Air works across a number of sectors already – television, music, community broadcasting, public radio and digital media. This new collaboration will broaden how we think about our television strategy to get even better impact, and contribute to a more sustainable screen sector,” says Jane Wrightson, Chief Executive of NZ On Air.

“Film New Zealand, as the country’s national film office, works to attract international film and television production by promoting the New Zealand screen industry overseas. This joint venture between the three agencies will benefit the New Zealand screen industry and enhance our ability to promote it,” says Film New Zealand Chief Executive Gisella Carr.

You can read the Screen NZ MOU here.