The NZFC warmly welcomes you to a two-hour conversation on creative producing between producer Tim White and NZFC Head of Development Marilyn Milgrom.
The event will focus on demystifying writer, producer and director relationships as well as scrutinising the functions of a creative producer and the business of collaboration. It is targeted at writers, directors, actors and producers and will focus on achieving better working relationships and communication between practitioners.

The Screen Production and Development Association of New Zealand (SPADA) is pleased to announce that NZ Actors’ Equity has agreed to meet with SPADA on engagement of performers in New Zealand.
SPADA is optimistic this will lead to the removal of the international boycott on The Hobbit, enabling it to be filmed in New Zealand”, says Penelope Borland, SPADA’s CEO.

NZ Equity has called on the makers of the feature film The Hobbit to resolve the industrial issues surrounding the film through private good faith discussions.
“We have chosen, in a deliberate decision, to avoid the media fray on this. Negative comments don’t serve the primary objective of seeing the production made in New Zealand,” said Actors’ Equity New Zealand President Jennifer Ward-Lealand.

Today NZ On Air announced investments of nearly $13 million into New Zealand children’s television programming to screen in 2011.
Ten children’s series in total have received funding, representing nearly 460 hours of programming for preschool, primary and secondary school audiences. Returning favourites include Sticky TV, The Erin Simpson Show and I Am TV. Perennial favourite What Now? will also be back, celebrating its 30th year of production in 2011

AnimfxNZ is delighted to announce the confirmation of three animation superstars for AnimfxNZ 2010:
· Dean Hoff, Director of GC Production at the Nickelodeon Animation Studio
· David Knott, Supervising Director of Penguins of Madagascar
· Rusty Tracy, CG Supervisor for Nickelodeon Animation Studios

TVNZ says renewing its output deal with Warner Bros, for what’s believed to be a hefty premium, will not affect commissioning of local shows.
Onfilm understands the broadcaster paid a record $30 million to renew the deal early, to maintain its supply of top-rating fare like Two and a Half Men, The Middle and The Mentalist.

Cinemas are about to be hit by a 3D blitz but distributors fear there won’t be enough screens to cope.
There will be nine 3D releases between November 18, when part one of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows bows in 3D, and Waitangi Day.
The last time two 3D blockbusters opened this close, it cost their distributors dearly because they had to share screens.

The DVD release of the kidult classic Hunter’s Gold has been shelved because of a residuals dispute between TVNZ and key cast.
The decision to pull the release, which was scheduled for September, comes after at least two of the actors in the 13-part drama sought higher royalty payments.

This week’s début of Iron Man 2 on DVD and Blu-ray opens what should be a ferociously competitive fourth quarter for distributors and retailers, and marks Paramount’s first NZ Triple Play release, including as it does the Blu-ray of the Iron Man sequel as well as a DVD and digital copy.

All NZ filmmakers are invited to attend a meeting with NZFC Chair Patsy Reddy and CEO Graeme Mason to discuss the Jackson/Court Review and its influence on the direction of the NZFC.

Maryanne Redpath is a representative of the 61st Berlin International Film Festival and is visiting New Zealand in October viewing films eligible for screening at the festival.
Come and hear what she looks for in a film for it to be selected for this prestigious festival

Singapore’s Beach House Pictures and its major shareholder New Zealand based NHNZ, have joined forces with the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) to produce a 3D television series – comprising ten one hour episodes – for international distribution.

Visual effects, animation and digital creative convergence studio Oktobor today released details of their multi-award winning evening at this year’s New Zealand Best Design Awards: Interactive Gold for Shihad Sleepeater website, Silver for PAMS TVC, Bronze for Twisties TVC, and Bronze for Erky Perky website.

The Show Me Shorts Film Festival and Script to Screen have announced the names of six up-and-coming screenwriters who will participate in their inaugural Short Film Lab on 6 November. Selected from more than 90 applicants from around New Zealand, the participants in the 2010 Short Film Lab are…

Movie fans who adore going to The Embassy Theatre will soon be spoilt with the planned investment by EVENT Cinemas to install the world‟s latest digital projection technology in time for the next installment of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 on 18 November.

For your convenience, a chronology of the official press releases issued by the parties involved in The Hobbit dispute, as well as various industry onlookers. As of the morning of 4 October, there were apparently hopeful signs of an impending resolution. Fingers and all other appendages crossed, eh? – Editor