20 May 2014
NZ Denmark Film and Television Co-Pro Deal is Exciting Opportunity for New Zealand Children
The new co-production agreement announced for film and television between New Zealand and Denmark potentially offers
more than a business deal. It is an opportunity to look at the children and youth focus embedded in the Danish Film
Institute.
“Danish film policy consistently aims to develop a film culture for children. Since 1982, the Danish Film Act has
dedicated at least 25% of all government film subsidies to films for children and youth. This has had an enormous impact
– on output, consistency and quality. Storytelling from a child’s perspective, solid production values and original
stories are key.” – Danish Film Institute
We hope that New Zealand will consider the Danish Film Institute's approach and look at ways of delivering more quality
content for children. The film The Weight of Elephants (an unofficial co-production between the two countries) premiered
at the Berlin International Film Festival in the Forum and Generation sections. The “Generation programme is
thematically and aesthetically linked to the experiences of children and young people.” – NZ Film Commission.
New Zealand children deserve more of these quality film and television projects. ‘We have the children’s story tellers –
some say the best in the world – here is an opportunity to tell more of those stories on film… and the Danes have the
recipe.’ says Janette Howe Chair of the New Zealand Children’s Screen Trust.
Ends