Issue date: 
Friday, 12 May 2023

The Marché du Film (Cannes Film Market) kicks off on 16 May and runs through until 24 May. 

The NZFC is engaging with 50+ New Zealanders confirmed to attend, of which 11 have been supported by our Producer International Travel Fund to progress their slates of projects through engaging with potential co-producers, financiers, sales agents and other market partners. 

One of those supported to attend is Matt Noonan, whose Canada-NZ official co-production project, The Televangelist—from NZ writer/director, Tom Levesque and fellow producer, Eva Trebilco—has been selected by Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) for the Marché du Film Fantastic 7 genre film projects initiativeThe Televangelist recently received funding from our International Co-Development Fund.  

Four NZFC staff are attending Cannes this year – Chris Payne (Acting COO & Head of International Relations), Jasmin McSweeney (Head of Marketing), Leanne Saunders (Head of Development & Production) and Hayley Weston (Film Festival & Marketing Executive). 

The team has created a busy schedule of events for NZ producers, involving programmes of curated meetings with sales agents, financiers and co-producers from many of NZ’s 18 co-production partners.  All of these sessions are built on the goal of ensuring the most effective and enjoyable Cannes experience for New Zealanders attending, leading to production and distribution outcomes. 

The NZFC is also partnering on CoCreate, a half-day co-production summit for experienced producers, devised by the NZFC and Ontario Creates, and involving the British Film Institute, Screen Australia, Screen Ireland, Screen Scotland and Telefilm Canada.  We’re also participating in the ISO Indigenous Co-Production Forum, to be attended by Chelsea Winstanley (who’s speaking on a co-production panel), Kerry Warkia, Tui Ruwhiu and Karin Williams.  

NZFC staff are actively promoting NZ projects, filmmakers and NZ as a partner of choice while in Cannes.  This includes Leanne and Jas speaking on a decision-makers panel at the ISO Indigenous Co-Production Forum; Leanne participating in a UK Film Centre panel about demystifying film financing for equity and inclusion; and Chris speaking on a co-production panel at the Indian Pavilion. 

Jasmin and Chris are delighted to attend Screen International’s inaugural Global Production Awards in support of Screen Wellington – A UNESCO Creative City of Film which is shortlisted for the City of Film Award.  These Awards celebrate the very best production work taking place, outstanding and emerging locations, along with great work in areas including sustainable production and diversity.   

The NZFC team is hosting networking events at its offices from 5:00-6:30pm most nights, commencing with the Kiwis-only Welcome on Wednesday 17 May and wrapping up with our Haere Ra Closing Event on Tuesday 23 May.  These are a great opportunity to connect NZ producers and industry with producers, distributors, festival programmers and directors, sales agents, financiers and sister agency executives.  

Alongside these activities, NZFC staff are meeting with market partners, sales agents, distributors and international film festivals, as well as attending meetings with NZ filmmakers and their market partners about specific projects, to discuss development, financing, sales and distribution considerations.  

The NZFC will be based at the Residence Grand Hotel, Goeland Entrance, Fifth Floor, Apartment 5D from Tuesday 17 May until Wednesday 25 May. 

If you’re attending Cannes and have not let us know yet, please get in touch – we’d love to hear from you! 

Last updated: 
Friday, 12 May 2023