The New Zealand Film Commission is pleased to announce the first recipients of the Professional Development Services Programme.
The three year programme is aimed at building capacity in the film sector, by ensuring filmmakers, from the emerging to the experienced level, are able to keep improving skills while extending their international professional networks.
The programme sits alongside the NZFC's other core priorities of funding films, script development and administering co-productions and the Government's incentive schemes.
We received a number of comprehensive proposals for upskilling producers, directors, writers, editors and screen practitioners for the next three finanical years. We are pleased to announce support for the following.
Script to Screen
Script to Screen will run a programme including two extensive labs (aimed at developing a pool of strong film writers and further strengthening the local development culture) and mentorship programmes tailored to the needs of individual writers, script development practitioners, directors and producers.
New Zealand Writers Guild
NZWG will run an annual script market showcasing new projects and their writers.
Screen Directors of Guild New Zealand
SDGNZ will run a number of workshops, mentorships, seminars and masterclasses aimed at developing directors’ skills and confidence. Several of these initiatives will see partnerships with actors organisations and will benefit both professions.
Women in Film and Television
WIFT will run a programme for producers focusing on finance, international sales and domestic distribution while increasing knowledge of particular co-production territories and capitalising on selected producers’ experiences in key international markets.
DocEdge
DocEdge is devising a workshop developing ideas with a particular interest in interactive digital storytelling.
“These initiatives reflect an increased emphasis on developing the careers of people already working in the industry,” says NZFC Chief Executive Dave Gibson. “We’ve also kept some money in reserve and will continue to talk to interested parties to ensure that the needs of the industry are being met.”
Image: Beyond The Edge 2013
To read more about the Professional Development Services Programme please go here.