Film New Zealand’s New Strategic Direction

28 August 2009

Film New Zealand’s New Strategic Direction

Under a new strategic direction, marketing and promotion related activity previously delivered by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise’s Investment New Zealand is being consolidated within Film New Zealand.

“In consultation with key stakeholders in Government - NZTE and the Ministry of Economic Development – Film New Zealand is embarking on a new strategic direction that will include consolidated marketing of New Zealand as a screen production destination,” said Julian Grimmond, Chair of the Film New Zealand Board of Trustees. “Film New Zealand will continue to collaborate closely with its stakeholder the New Zealand Film Commission to improve efficiency and maximise impact at specific overseas markets.”

In commenting on this new strategic direction, Hon Gerry Brownlee, Minister for Economic Development said: "The film industry is important to New Zealand's economy. These moves will help the sector by clarifying the role of NZTE and Film New Zealand. NZTE’s Investment New Zealand staff will continue to focus their work on industry capability, investment and infrastructure. Film New Zealand will concentrate on promotion, marketing and location management.”

“In addition, the new direction Film New Zealand has decided to take allows it to work with the broader screen production industry so companies in the content, digital, animation and special effects areas benefit from its marketing and promotional work,” Minister Brownlee observed.

Mr Grimmond went on to say: “Working with our stakeholders in Government as well as the industry itself, we are embarking on a new era that recognises the export strength of our screen production industry as a genuinely renewable and highly creative resource for New Zealand in the 21st Century. New Zealand’s brand is well-established in the global entertainment market; however, consolidation and renewed partnerships are essential to develop the brand and grow new business opportunities in these challenging times.”

“While further details will be announced in the very near future” he said, “Film New Zealand is being tasked with building on the economic achievements of the screen production industry that in 2008, according to Statistics NZ data, increased gross revenues by 18% to $1.266 billion.”

Screen production business in New Zealand is generating export revenues that in 2008 rose 79% to $542 million, with $481 million sourced from the United States. Other major overseas contributors were Australia and Asia.

Film New Zealand is the independent industry-led national film office, supported by Government with core operating funding from the Ministry of Economic Development, supplemented by the New Zealand Film Commission, project funding from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise with contributions from key sponsors and screen production industry members. Its services are accessed by New Zealand filmmakers as well as those from overseas.

For more information about Film New Zealand visit www.filmnz.com

ends

© Scoop Media