Screen Incentives Changes

16 December 2013

Screen Incentives Changes

The New Zealand Film Commission and Film New Zealand welcome changes to the structure and level of support for New Zealand screen incentives bringing more financial assistance for mid-budget level New Zealand productions and encouraging more international productions to do business here.

Prime Minister John Key, Minister for Economic Development Steven Joyce and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson announced the changes at the New Zealand Film Commission in Wellington this morning.

The rebate on international film and television productions now rises from 15 per cent to 20 per cent.

A further 5 per cent will be available for international productions that deliver significant economic benefits to New Zealand. Eligibility will be assessed through a points system to be released in due course.

New Zealand productions will continue to be able to access 40 per cent, but that will now be extended to television and productions with larger budgets. The two tiered system will take the form of a rebate on productions up to $15m qualifying New Zealand production expenditure (QNZPE) and equity on productions between $15m and $50m QNZPE.

The changes come as the existing Screen Production Incentive Fund and Large Budget Screen Production Grant are combined to form the New Zealand Screen Production Grant, an uncapped fund.

There will be a process of engagement with the New Zealand industry early in 2014 to finalise the points test that will apply to New Zealand productions.

The New Zealand Film Commission and Film New Zealand are working closely together to help the sector capitalise on these changes for the benefit of the New Zealand screen sector and the economy.

“These changes will enable larger scale New Zealand productions to be made as well as encouraging more New Zealand stories to be seen on screen,” says NZFC Chair Patsy Reddy. “The growth in New Zealand’s screen sector will lead to the development of more screen businesses, successful careers and employment.”

“This sends a strong message internationally that New Zealand is competitive and that the screen sector is backed by the New Zealand Government,” says Film New Zealand Chair Julian Grimmond. “When combined with New Zealand’s reputation for talent, and some significant cost advantages, it makes a convincing argument for international production to come to New Zealand.”

The criteria and details on how to apply for the New Zealand Screen Production Grant will be available onwww.nzfilm.co.nz from 1 April 2014.

More details on these changes to New Zealand screen incentives can be found on our website here or on the Government website here.

A video clip of the media conference will also be available on www.nzfilm.co.nz or www.filmnz.com this afternoon.
NEW ZEALAND FILM COMMISSION
The New Zealand Film Commission is the Government’s agency funding the making of New Zealand films, investing in a wide range of capability programmes aimed at building skills within the wider screen industry and marketing New Zealand films and filmmakers here and overseas. It administers Government incentives for the screen sector, certifies New Zealand films for tax purposes and is the competent authority for official co-productions with other countries. www.nzfilm.co.nz

FILM NEW ZEALAND
Film New Zealand is the country’s national film office and international screen business attraction agency, marketing New Zealand’s screen production industry overseas. The organisation acts as the principal gateway for incoming international production and provides a locations enquiry and facilitation service as well as working in partnership with New Zealand companies to help bring screen investment to New Zealand. www.filmnz.com

ENDS

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