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Project Development Funding

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We are committed to developing New Zealand screen stories and the voices of the people who create them.  

The Film Commission supports filmmakers to develop a diverse range of projects from the early draft of a screenplay right through to a finished film. We fund innovative ideas that will connect with both local and international audiences and attract critical acclaim. We want to further the success of filmmakers and the production companies behind them.

Early development

If you have the spark of an idea for a script, you may like to apply to the New Zealand Writers' Guild for a Seed Grant. Writer/producer teams looking to develop the early draft of a screenplay can seek funding from our Early Development Fund

Advanced development

If your script has been through several drafts and is approaching market readiness, your producer may want to apply for funding for Advanced Development.

Māori Development

If your script is in te reo or has significant Māori content and creatives, your producer may want to apply for Whakawhanake Kiriata: Māori Film Development Funds.

 

Funds in this funding programme

  • International Co-Development Fund

    Co-productions, Project Development Funding, Feature Film Funding

    The International Co-Development Fund (ICF) supports New Zealand producers who are working with an overseas partner on developing feature films. 

    Drama
    Feature
    Documentary
    Early Development
    Advanced Development
    Grant
  • Early Development Fund

    Project Development Funding, Feature Film Funding
    The Early Development Fund supports early draft feature film scripts or treatments that have the potential to be great New Zealand screen stories.
    Drama
    Feature
    Early Development
    Grant
  • Documentary Development Fund

    Project Development Funding, Feature Film Funding, Documentary Funding

    The Documentary Development Fund (DDF) supports the development of documentary films that have the potential to become compelling cinematic releases.

    Feature
    Documentary
    Early Development
    Advanced Development
    Grant
  • Seed Grants

    Project Development Funding

    New Zealand Writers Guild (NZWG) Seed grants offer an opportunity for writers to develop feature film scripts without a producer attached.

    Drama
    Feature
    Early Development
    Grant
  • He Ara Development Fund

    Project Development Funding, Feature Film Funding, Te Rautaki Māori

    The He Ara Development Fund supports established filmmakers to tell authentic and exciting Māori and Pacific Island stories on screen. 

    Drama
    Feature
    Documentary
    Early Development
    Advanced Development
    Grant
  • Whakawhanake Te Ao Niko - Interactive Development Fund

    Project Development Funding, Funding the future - Interactive and Virtual Reality, Talent Development

    The Whakawhanake Te Ao Niko-Interactive Development Fund enables the development of interactive content with significant New Zealand creative and cultural outcomes. 

    Interactive and Virtual Reality
    Early Development
    Grant
    Loan
  • Boost Funding

    Series Development, Project Development Funding, Industry Support, Business support

    Boost Funding supports the growth of producers and screen businesses who have a slate of strong projects to develop, along with a strategic vision and a plan to deliver on it. 

    Drama
    Feature
    Series Drama
    Documentary
    Interactive and Virtual Reality
    Early Development
    Advanced Development
    Grant
  • Advanced Development Fund

    Co-productions, Project Development Funding, Feature Film Funding

    The Advanced Development Fund (ADF) supports the final packaging and development needed for feature projects to become production ready.

    Drama
    Feature
    Documentary
    Advanced Development
    Grant
  • Whakawhanake Kiriata: Māori Film Development Funds

    Project Development Funding, Te Rautaki Māori

    Whakawhanake Kiriata: Māori Film Development Funds focus on different areas of project development, providing for Māori specific outcomes.

    Drama
    Feature
    Documentary
    Early Development
    Advanced Development
    Grant
  • Premium Productions for International Audiences Fund (Te Puna Kairangi Premium Fund)

    Co-productions, Series Development, Project Development Funding, Production Funding, Feature Film Funding, Documentary Funding, Te Rautaki Māori

    The Premium Productions for International Audiences Fund (Te Puna Kairangi Premium Fund) supports the Aotearoa New Zealand production sector recovery from COVID-19 by supporting high-quality productions that tell New Zealand

    Drama
    Feature
    Series Drama
    Documentary
    Advanced Development
    Production
    Equity Investment
  • Ara ki Te Puna Kairangi – The Premium Development Fund

    Series Development, Project Development Funding

    Ara ki Te Puna Kairangi – The Premium Development Fund (‘Premium Development’) is designed to support projects that are ambitious and bold with significant international appeal and should represent a step change to support high quality

    Drama
    Feature
    Series Drama
    Documentary
    Advanced Development
    Grant
Last updated: 
Friday, 27 November 2020