Film New Zealand and the New Zealand Film Commission have been delighted with the positive response to the “Seeing More of NZ Actors on Screen” series…

MEDIA RELEASE

The New Zealand Film Commission has released its Statement of Intent for 2011- 2013 outlining plans to continue its focus of getting New Zealand films made to be seen and valued by local and international audiences…

Comedians Bret McKenzie (Flight of the Concords) and Hamish Blake (Hamish and Andy) are confirmed to star in the comedy TWO LITTLE BOYS, which will begin filming in Southland in January 2011. The film will be directed by Robert Sarkies (Out of the Blue, Scarfies) and is based on the novel of the same name by Duncan Sarkies.

The 27th Sundance Film Festival has announced its line-up selection and included are two New Zealand short films: Ebony Society, Outrageous Fortune star Tammy Davis’ debut as a writer/director; and Redemption, which is director and co-writer Katie Wolfe’s second short film to be invited to the fest.

The NZ Film Commission is pleased to announce the 16 low budget short films selected in the inaugural Fresh Shorts scheme.
The NZFC has offered eight grants of $10,000 and eight grants of $30,000 to shoot and complete low budget short films with durations between 4-25 minutes.

The NZFC’s latest newsletter includes recent funding decisions, upcoming training and professional development opportunities, and board meeting dates and deadlines.

The four successful Escalator low budget feature film teams green lit for production will be announced at 6pm on Monday 1st November by NZFC CEO Graeme Mason via live stream from Wellington and Auckland. Each team will be offered production finance of up to NZ$250,000

Tony Barry (pictured) is to star in the upcoming detective comedy Rest for the Wicked, now shooting until November 20 in Auckland.
Last month, Barry won the Best Actor trophy in the Qantas New Zealand Film Awards for his role as Ed in Gaylene Preston’s Home By Christmas, which was selected for the World Cinema Section of the London Film Festival. He has also been nominated for best actor at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards to be presented on December 2.

The Show Me Shorts Film Festival presents the StarNow.com Short Film Seminar in Wellington on 15 November. Open to anyone interested in short films, the seminar is a unique opportunity to meet experienced filmmakers, see some great short films and learn more about the craft of short filmmaking.
Presenters include Paul Stanley Ward, Paul Campion and Michelle Savill.

The long-awaited review of the New Zealand Film Commission is at last Beehive-bound.
The 100-page report, by Peter Jackson and Australian academic David Court, is due to be in the Government’s hands next week.
“It’s looking good to be delivered in the coming week,” Jackson spokesman Matthew Dravitzki told Onfilm. “The writing is complete, David Court and Peter are doing proof reading and having it laid out by a printer.”