latest news
Latest news and announcements from the New Zealand screen industry and beyond. Click on the headline to read more.
1 March 2022
ScreenSafe – Omicron Phase 3 Update
The intention of Phase 3 is to ease the pressure on Government testing and contact tracing. The focus will be on protecting the vulnerable while ensuring the health system and key supply chains remain operational and that our economy keeps moving.
27 February 2022
The Government has announced its 5-step plan to re-open New Zealand borders, beginning 28 February 2022.
18 November 2021
ScreenSafe – Traffic Light Protocols
ScreenSafe are currently rewriting the Screen Industry COVID-19 Protocols in line with the new COVID-19 Protection Framework (aka the Traffic Light System). While that work is underway and while we await more detailed information from the government, MoH and WorkSafe, ScreenSafe has prepared initial guidance so our industry can start the shift to a new system.
6 October 2021
ScreenSafe – Location Recce Guidance at Higher Alert Levels
After discussions with WorkSafe and Screen Auckland, and based on recommended guidelines from the Ministry of Health regarding limits on social gatherings in public places, ScreenSafe has created these location recce guidelines.
5 October 2021
ScreenSafe – UPDATE TO THE SCREENSAFE COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
Due to the recent Delta outbreak in New Zealand and subsequent amendments to government guidelines, the COVID-19 Protocols have been updated.
7 September 2021
ScreenSafe – COVID-19 / DELTA OUTBREAK - Level 2 UPDATE
The ScreenSafe COVID-19 Health and Safety are still actively reviewing the Protocols for the new Delta variant requirements. Level 2 updates included.
2 September 2021
ScreenSafe – COVID-19 / DELTA OUTBREAK - UPDATE
The ScreenSafe COVID-19 Health and Safety team is currently looking at what Protocols need to be reviewed, particularly in light of the new Delta variant. For now, please refer to the ScreenSafe website for the Protocols and Summary Guidelines around L4, L3, and future planning for Level 2.
18 August 2021
LATEST ScreenSafe COVID 19 Health and Safety Update
Auckland and the Coromandel region has moved to Alert Level 4 for the next 7 days. The rest of New Zealand has moved to Alert Level 4 for the next 3 days. This came into effect at 11.59pm on Tuesday 17th August. Alert level 4 information here. Please see the latest updates at COVID.govt.nz and details of current alert level. At Alert Level 4, it is likely COVID-19 is not contained.
7 March 2021
LATEST ScreenSafe COVID 19 Health and Safety Toolkit Documentation
ScreenSafe COVID 19 Health and Safety Protocols including Level 1/2/3 Alert Level information, resources, services and guidance.
1 March 2021
ScreenSafe NZ - Filming Protocols in Alert Level 2 & 3
One stop update for all shooting requirements in all Covid-19 Alert levels. Including downloadable filming protocols, health and safety resources and department roles.
1 March 2021
We want to acknowledge how hard the latest Level 3 lockdown feels for Auckland and send all our aroha to our production sector and music sector whānau impacted. Updates include updates for COVID-19 relief for impacted productions
1 March 2021
Ngā Aho Whakaari Māori in Screen Production - Covid-19 Support and Alert Level 3 & 2 Information
This pānui provides links and access to information and support with a focus on Tāmaki, the Auckland region, thanks to the work and resources gathered by Paerangi, including Emergency Safety Support for Vulnerable; Emergency Food assistance; Mental Health help; Health Services and Disability Services; Income assistance and finally Screensafe updated guidelines.
1 March 2021
Auckland Unlimited - Financial Support at Level 3
Information about financial support available for Auckland businesses.
4 JUNE 2020
New Zealand Film Commission Awards $1.2 Million to New Zealand Film Businesses
The New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) announced today that over $1.2million has been awarded to 33 companies, through its business and slate development schemes BOOST, BOOST UP and He Ara.
4 JUNE 2020
TV show Shortland Street works in new ways post lockdown
The five-night a week drama Shortland Street went back to filming under level 3 lockdown after much thought and consultation. Shorty fan Katrina Batten wanted to find out more so caught up with producers Maxine Fleming, Oliver Driver and the CEO of South Pacific Pictures Kelly Martin.
2 JUNE 2020
‘Poppy’ Is First New Zealand Film to Restart Shooting Since Coronavirus
New Zealand drama film “Poppy” resumed production on Friday, becoming the first local film in the country to start up after a hiatus caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
1 June 2020
TV turns 60 in New Zealand
Celebrating sixty years since the first television broadcast in New Zealand NZ On Screen have created this compilation, and TVNZ have put together this segment.
31 MAY 2020
Avatar crew touch down in Wellington in historic flight from LA
Fifty-six film workers have been allowed past New Zealand's borders, which are so-tightly closed for others that families are stuck with oceans between them.
27 MAY 2020
Covid-19: Boom in demand for local actors as productions recast
A boom in demand for Kiwi actors is predicted as Covid-19 restrictions force producers of films made in New Zealand to look at recasting, says an industry expert.
27 May 2020
New Zealand studio preps for reopening
New Zealand has gotten the greenlight…well, more like a yellow light. But the country is open for business, and productions companies are allowed to resume filming live-action productions and open offices, albeit with some post-COVID-19 changes.
26 May 2020
ScreenSafe release COVID-19 Departmental Roles Guidelines
The ScreenSafe COVID-19 Departmental Roles guidelines are a best practice guide and have been created to support each department with their Health and Safety planning and to share with crew. These are intended to start each person and department thinking about how they will individually operate to fulfil the Standards and Protocols as set out in main H&S documents.
26 May 2020
Auckland film studio so big it’s been labelled a mega-stage
The latest venture of Stephen Pryor, X3 Studios in South Auckland, is the biggest studio in the Southern Hemisphere.
26 May 2020
Lights! Camera! Action! NZ On Air productions return to set under new health and safety measures
The local screen production sector is kicking back into action this week, with newly issued ScreenSafe guidelines ensuring the health and safety of all cast and crew.
24 May 2020
Avatar producer Jon Landau on his return to New Zealand
The producer of the Avatar sci-fi movie sequels says he has no qualms coming back to New Zealand during the Covid-19 recovery phase.
23 May 2020
Plenty of soap: Shortland Street is back, but life on set is far from normal
With the start of alert level three, Shortland Street announced it would be the first drama in the country to start shooting again in a Covid-19 world. Chris Schulz talks to the soap’s cast and crew to find out how they did it.
22 May 2020
Taking The Pulse of the Auckland Screen Sector - May 2020
Enjoy this highly relevant conversation, moderated by Carol Hirschfeld, with a range of perspectives and collective awareness on key directions within the Auckland screen sector.
19 May 2020
Arts and music sector desperate to open again
People in the arts are often placed front and centre of charity work for others suffering times of crisis. Now the creatives themselves are calling for help, pleading for support as live performances, filming and exhibitions all dry up.
19 May 2020
UPDATED COVID-19 Health & Safety Toolkit Standard, Protocols, Resources
ScreenSafe have issued updates to the COVID-19 Health & Safety Standard and Protocols, a new page of Resources including a list of services, suppliers, apps, forms and posters to be used on your production and provide guidance for safe practice on set.
19 May 2020
Taika Waititi leads all-star charity Roald Dahl readings
Meryl Streep and Benedict Cumberbatch among stars narrating James and the Giant Peach to raise funds to help vulnerable countries tackle Covid-19 crisis.
18 May 2020
Coronavirus: New Zealand's future in the hands of tech innovators and screen industry
New Zealand has a small window of opportunity to become the tech and film capital of the world as the globe looks favourably on our pandemic response but, experts say, we must act now.
16 May 2020
TV adaptation of one of New Zealand's most successful books hits Kiwi screens
The highly anticipated small-screen adaption of one of New Zealand's biggest books has hit televisions in its world premiere.
16 May 2020
New Zealand is ready for its close-up as most of film industry remains sidelined by COVID-19
It may not be long before cameras roll again on the "Avatar" sequels, and more Hollywood projects may look to "Middle-earth" as a film location.
13 May 2020
Screen Industry Key Role In Economic Recovery
The screen industry is poised to play a key role in New Zealand’s economic recovery now we are moving to Level 2, says BusinessNZ.
13 May 2020
Coronavirus Hollywood looks to New Zealand amid US Covid-crisis
Segments of Hollywood are looking to move to New Zealand's near-Covid-free shores as the country's film industry stands to win big in coming months.
8 May 2020
New Zealand’s health and safety production protocols have been endorsed by the national government, we can reveal, meaning production can restart in the country after it was halted by the coronavirus pandemic.
8 May 2020
How The World’s Biggest Producers Are Plotting Their Way Out Of The Pandemic
Deadline has spoken to the UK-based bosses of eight of the biggest production groups in the world — production groups that boast combined revenues of more than $10B. Their reflections, coupled with those of smaller producers in the UK, provide the clearest picture yet of how production businesses have been bloodied by an invisible attacker, and are now having to embrace new and pioneering ways of working to protect staff and get cameras rolling again.
8 May 2020
With ‘Tenet’ and ‘Mulan,’ Are Studios Taking a Hit for the Dream?
America is now trying to re-open, one small step at a time, and movie theaters, like any other business, will do the same. But if the theater chains open with baby steps, which is inevitable, then how can the product they sell — high-cost, high-profile Hollywood movies — be part of the process?
8 May 2020
The Czech Republic, host to major film and TV productions including Marvel’s The Falcon And The Winter Soldier and Amazon’s Carnival Row, wants the film and TV communities to know that it is ready for production “to be resumed”.
7 May 2020
Could the film industry revive Queenstown Lakes Covid-19 crippled economy?
The film and screen industry can help Queenstown Lakes' crippled economy emerge from the Covid-19 crisis, advocates say.
5 May 2020
Leaked Film & TV Safety Documents Lay Bare The Enormous Complexities Of Re-Starting Drama Shoots
The challenges of restarting production on high-end TV and film drama in the UK amid the coronavirus pandemic have been laid bare in two separate documents circulating among industry creatives.
5 May 2020
Taika Waititi To Direct And Co-Write New ‘Star Wars’ Movie
Taika Waititi is sticking around in the Star Wars universe, with Disney confirming Monday that he will direct and co-write a new Star Wars feature film for theatrical release.
5 May 2020
Shortland Street's new normal in the age of coronavirus
In a surefire sign that things are looking up, our longest-running soap, Shortland St, is back in action this week, but it's not exactly business as usual.
4 May 2020
How Weta Digital Keeps Its Team Working During the Coronavirus Pandemic
By Jan. 24, the company had formed a COVID-19 task force, holding weekly meetings. By the time it put together a two-part action plan, including what it thought would happen once the pandemic hit New Zealand, the country had announced its first case.
1 May 2020
Government announces new loan scheme to support small business
The Government will provide interest free loans for a year to small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 economic shock to support their immediate cashflow needs.
1 May 2020
On Screen Sessions is a FREE webinar series to help support our region’s screen sector, brought to you by Auckland Screen Alliance (ASA), the Regional Business Partner Network (RBPN) and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED).
30 April 2020
Streaming films eligible for Oscars for one year only
Movies that debuted on a streaming service without a theatrical run will be eligible for the Oscars, but only for this year. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences on Tuesday announced the change for the 93rd Academy Awards as a response to how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted the film industry.
30 April 2020
NZ International Film Festival to screen online
The New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) will go ahead in an online format this year, from July 24 to August 2, with a world-class curated programme of world and New Zealand premiere films for audiences to screen at home.
29 April 2020
Shortland Street resumes production in Level 3
'No more sex and kissing': Shortland Street's Ben Barrington on filming in Level 3 - the production company has confirmed New Zealand's beloved serial drama will resume filming tomorrow, but things will look a lot different for the cast and crew.
24 April 2020
Join New Zealand Film Commission CEO Annabelle Sheehan, Head of Development & Production Leanne Saunders and Pou Whakahaere Karen Waaka-Tibble for a live Q&A on Tuesday 28 April, at 5pm.
24 April 2020
California Film Commission chief Colleen Bell says state officials are making progress on hammering out details for the resumption of film and TV production following industrywide shutdowns in light of the coronavirus pandemic. But they’re moving forward cautiously as the process is complicated, to say the least.
24 April 2020
NZ company ScreenPlus says it has a solution to cinemas' Covid-19 woes, but some aren't convinced
The cinema industry is split over a streaming service being touted as a potential saviour from the coronavirus crisis.
24 April 2020
SXSW Virtual Festival to Launch on Amazon With 39 Films Over Nine Days
The 2020 SXSW Film Festival has set its virtual selection and screening dates on Amazon, garnering almost 40 shorts, features and episodic programs to participate in the digital workaround to coronavirus shutdowns.
24 April 2020
Post-Pandemic Hollywood: Inside Plans to Make Movie and TV Sets Safe Again
The issue that Hollywood is grappling with — a struggle between a desire to reopen for business and a need to protect the health and safety of its workforce — mirrors the tensions that are playing out in boardrooms, restaurants and factories across the country.
23 April 2020
Government announces support package for media sector
Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media Kris Faafoi has announced the first stage of support initiatives for the media sector. Minister Faafoi has announced the first package (of two media support packages) worth $50 million which will be deployed to help the media industry get through the Covid-19 pandemic.
23 April 2020
When can Shortland Street and reality TV resume production?
The Covid-19 lockdown caused an almost total shutdown on local and international productions. The chair of the screen sector's Covid-19 action group Felicity Letcher talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about her hopes for level three and beyond.
23 April 2020
Cinema owners are desperate for more Government cash to survive the Covid-19 pandemic
Cinema owners are pleading for Government help so the coronavirus pandemic is a feel-good story, not a horror.
22 April 2020
'Neighbours' to resume filming after coronavirus shutdown
Neighbours is set to begin filming again after production stopped on the Australian soap due to the coronavirus shutdown. The show has introduced a range of safety protocols to ensure a safe working environment.
22 April 2020
Neon Unveils Innovative Strategy to Bring ‘Spaceship Earth’ to Audiences During Coronavirus
With most theaters closed, Neon will launch the documentary “Spaceship Earth” on an innovative patchwork of drive-in theaters, pop-up projections and on demand.
22 April 2020
Netflix Has Added a Stunning Number of Subscribers During the Lockdown
Netflix added 15.8 million new subscribers worldwide during the first three months of 2020, more than doubling its forecast for the quarter.
21 April 2020
Gaming Sales Are Up, but Production Is Down
The coronavirus pandemic is offering mixed news and new challenges for gaming companies, both independent and corporate.
21 April 2020
NZOA - Fresh opportunities and stories in latest funding for local production sector
NZ On Air is fast-tracking into production a diverse range of new content from fresh creative teams in the latest funding round, ensuring there’s a pipeline of work for the production sector post-lockdown (and during lockdown where safely possible.)
21 April 2020
NZFC Boost and Boost Up Funding Round open
Boost and Boost Up Funding supports the growth of producers and screen businesses who have a strategic vision in a fast-changing environment and a plan to deliver on this.
20 April 2020
Covid-19: Government extends lockdown to Monday 27 April
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced the level 4 lockdown will be extended five days to 11.59pm on Monday 27 April.
20 April 2020
$17m film studio on cards for Dunedin
A $17.7 million film studio in Dunedin could become a reality within a year, the Dunedin City Council hopes.
20 April 2020
Esports gets national recognition as Covid-19 stymies other sports
New Zealand's national esports body says the industry is "about to explode", as Covid-19 restrictions flatten its competitors in the sporting world.
19 April 2020
Businesses in New Zealand are concentrating on survival during the lockdown period and having to re-imagine and plan how they will operate in coming months and years.
17 April 2020
Third SPADA Interview with NZOA and NZFC in response to COVID-19
SPADA Co-presidents Sharon Menzies and Richard Fletcher discuss developments of the past week with Annabelle Sheehan (CEO, New Zealand Film Commission) and Cameron Harland (CEO, NZ On Air), including the impact of COVID-19 on the local screen sector.
17 April 2020
Deadline continues its Coping With COVID-19 Crisis series on the struggles of people in the entertainment industry impacted by the coronavirus, and have now launch a new series, Reopening Hollywood, focused on the incredibly complicated effort to get the industry back on its feet while ensuring the safety of everyone involved.
16 April 2020
Cannes Film Marché to Run Alongside Agency-Led Virtual Initiative in June
With the Cannes Film Festival now in limbo due to France’s ban on events with big crowds until mid-July, the Marché du Film is now setting up a full-on virtual market from June 22-28, Variety has confirmed.
16 April 2020
Screen Australia and ACMA set out four reform models
With the Federal Government having indicated its commitment to developing a ‘platform-neutral’ media framework, a paper by Screen Australia and the ACMA has set out four potential models for how local screen content could be regulated and incentivised into the future.
15 April 2020
Government backs business through COVID-19
The Government has announced a suite of new measures to provide relief for small and medium-sized businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
14 April 2020
48Hours - NZ’s largest guerrilla film-making competition gets a lockdown twist
Itching to pick up the camera even though you’re in lockdown? We’re excited to announce that 48Hours is back this weekend, self-isolation style.
14 April 2020
Reports of the death of the film industry have been greatly exaggerated
Hollywood loves a good comeback, and post-coronavirus will be no exception, writes costume designer Kristin M Burke.
14 April 2020
Quibi had 1.7 million downloads in its first week, is working on TV casting support
After all of the hype and a barrage of TV advertising, Quibi tallied over 1.7 million downloads in its first week after
launch. CEO Meg Whitman revealed the stat to CNBC’s David Faber this morning, also noting that the median age of Quibi viewers is (so far) somewhere in the low 30s.
14 April 2020
$700,000 funding boost for creatives in lockdown brings fresh content to NZ audiences
Nine creative teams have been given the green light to create fresh new content to entertain New Zealand audiences, at a time when the local production sector has come to a grinding halt.
14 April 2020
Hollywood Braces for Production Logjam Post-Virus
In the US a growing queue of film and TV projects awaits now-empty soundstages as productions that couldn’t wrap filming before the mid-March shutdown may be prioritised.
9 April 2020
The Draft of the Screen Sector Strategy 2030 is now available
We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the development of the Screen Sector Strategy 2030. We’ve taken all of the feedback provided via hui, focus groups, interviews and written submissions, and distilled that down into a strategy that we hope reflects the feedback from that process accurately.
9 April 2020
The shutdown shock may be pushing producers towards new sales opportunities
How are arthouse and indy filmmakers going to function with no real-world festivals? They could be better off with online events, according to a discussion in New York.
9 April 2020
Second SPADA Interview with NZOA and NZFC in response to COVID-19
In this week's video SPADA Co-presidents Richard Fletcher and Sharon Menzies pose questions for Cameron Harland, CEO of NZ on Air, and Annabelle Sheehan, CEO of NZ Film Commission, on behalf of members. The group discussed developments over the past week, along with the options that are being explored as we look towards the future both locally and globally.
9 April 2020
ScreenPlus Partners With Vista Group To Launch Streaming Platform In Response To Theater Shutdown
As theaters continue to remain closed during the coronavirus pandemic, more and more companies and distributors are finding ways to exhibit via streaming platforms. ScreenPlus is the latest to give virtual cinema as they are partnering with cinema software company Vista Group to help cinema exhibitors launch their own VOD platforms to offer at-home streaming to customers.
8 April 2020
DEGNZ releases database of Post-production people able to Work From Home
To help address the difficult work situation due to the COVID-19 crisis during lockdown, the Directors and Editors Guild of New Zealand has compiled a database of members who can carry out editing, colour grading and effects work with equipment they have at home.
8 April 2020
UPDATE Back-to-Production Toolkit
There is a lot of interest in finding out what is being done towards getting back to work, and what this may look like for our industry. Please be assured, with assistance from central government, this is being looked in to, research is
underway, and plans are being developed as to how to best support productions to get back to work
when this may be possible under the current NZ COVID-19 Alert Levels.
8 April 2020
Academy Cinemas has launched an On Demand platform with local and international films available to rent between $4.99 and $7.99.
8 April 2020
Screen International launches ‘Talks’ live Q&A series and Market+ online marketplace
Screen is launching a new series of webinar panel discussion, the first of these Talks is 'Moving Film Festivals Online'. Alongside these talks new platform Market+ will provide Screen’s usual daily market news and product information, a virtual screening schedule and multiple opportunities to market to buyers through advertising and content.
7 April 2020
NZFC announce increase to Business Support funding
The NZ Film Commission have announced an extension of the Business Support funding (BOOST) to $1M, and confirmed details of $750K + from ongoing development programmes.
7 April 2020
SEMINAR: SUPPORTING THE SCREEN SECTOR
Screen Wellington and WellingtonNZ hosted a Screen Sector business Covid-19 resilience online workshop. On the panel is producer Emma Slade, Stephen Knightly and Felicity Letcher. This is for everyone in the sector including game and interactive media practitioners - businesses, sole traders, freelancers.
6 April 2020
Law experts answer COVID-19 Employment questions
Quigg Partners employment law expert Simon Martin and independent employment specialist Ashleigh Fechney shared their knowledge on the subject.
3 April 2020
Government announces support for Businesses facing Insolvency
The Government will be introducing legislation to make changes to the Companies Act to help companies facing insolvency due to COVID-19 to remain viable and keep New Zealanders in jobs.
3 April 2020
SPADA releases Q&A video with CEOS of NZOA and NZFC
Tune in to hear from the CEOs of the NZFC and NZ On Air as they discuss the events of the past three weeks and the measures they have implemented or are looking to implement to address the impact of COVID-19.
3 April 2020
Korea Unveils Measures to Help Coronavirus-Hit Film Industry
The South Korean government has unveiled a package of measures to help the local film industry, which is currently reeling from the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
3 April 2020
Chinese film and TV studios reopen after COVID-19 suspensions
Chinese film and TV industry is recovering as film studios have reopened across China and many crews have resumed work after several weeks of suspension due to the coronavirus outbreak.
3 April 2020
NZ On Air Update on Rapid Response RFP
NZ On Air have released further clarification on their COVID-19 Rapid Response RFP.
1 April 2020
Cineuropa list of all European cancelled or postponed events
Cineuropa and European Film Agency Directors have published a comprehensive list of all festivals, markets and other events in Europe which have been cancelled or postponed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
1 April 2020
Business Finance Guarantee – applications open
Businesses can start applying to their banks for loans under the Business Finance Guarantee Scheme set up to support the New Zealand economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re moving quickly to protect New Zealand businesses, jobs and the economy during this unprecedented global economic shock,” Finance Minister Grant Robertson said.
“The Business Finance Guarantee will help businesses with cashflow and operating expenses, and comes in alongside the $8-12 billion wage subsidy scheme keeping people in jobs, and workers and employers connected during the lockdown.
1 April 2020
The NZ on Air RFP is calling for Scripted or Factual projects that can be made now, in lockdown. We're looking for fast turnaround, innovative ideas. Our intent with this RFP is to both source some new content for New Zealanders who are stuck at home, but also to provide some much needed paid work for creatives, also stuck at home!
1 April 2020
Deadline Magazine: Coping with COVID-19 Crisis - India
Deadline’s Coping With COVID-19 Crisis series is a forum for those in the entertainment space grappling with myriad consequences of COVID-19, with the hope for an exchange of ideas and experiences, and suggestions on how businesses and individuals can best ride out the crisis. This second article is with Producer Vikram Malhotra of India.
1 April 2020
Screenwest launches $2.5 million sustainability package
Screenwest has launched a $2.5 million sustainability package, designed to temper the crisis facing the industry as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
1 April 2020
Screenworks and Australian International Screen Forum launch online writers workshop
In a bid to strengthen international connections while the screen industry grapples with the impact of COVID-19, the New York-based Australian International Screen Forum and Screenworks have announced an online workshop that will connect regional screenwriters in Australia with NYC-based industry mentors.
31 MARCH 2020
Deadline Magazine: Coping with COVID-19 Crisis - Germany
Deadline’s Coping With COVID-19 Crisis series is a forum for those in the entertainment space grappling with myriad consequences of COVID-19, with the hope for an exchange of ideas and experiences, and suggestions on how businesses and individuals can best ride out the crisis. This first article is with Constantin Film Boss Martin Moszkowicz of Germany.
31 MARCH 2020
2020 NZ Game Developers Conference Cancelled
The NZ Game Developers Board has made the tough decision to cancel this year's conference.
31 MARCH 2020
Wage Subsidy helps creatives during the Covid-19 rāhui
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Friday that $2.7B has already been paid out to 428,000 workers as part of the government’s Wage Subsidy Payment. Ngā Aho Whakaari spoke to Māori and Pasifika creatives about their experience applying for the subsidy.
30 MARCH 2020
SCREEN SECTOR COVID-19 ACTION GROUP THURSDAY MARCH 30: PĀNUI
In order for the Screen Sector COVID-19 Action Group to advocate on your behalf, we want to better understand your current situation and what is important to you. Please complete the survey and once you're done, share it with your local screen industry colleagues and friends.
29 MARCH 2020
NZ On Air's CEO Outlines COVID-19 Response
NZ on Air is promising those who rely on it for funding that it will be responsive and innovative over the weeks and months to come, with COVID-19 seeing planned productions around the country shutting down indefinitely.
29 MARCH 2020
NZ's first coronavirus death as case numbers rise
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and director-general of health Ashley Bloomfield made the announcement at a briefing at the Beehive this afternoon.
27 MARCH 2020
As Americans shelter in place with many spending most or all of each day at home, three new streaming services are prepping for launch: Quibi, Peacock and HBO Max.
27 MARCH 2020
Filmmakers selected for FilmUp 2020
In this difficult time we have some good news. Script to Screen is proud to be welcoming eight filmmakers to our 2020 FilmUp Mentorship Programme which will continue during level 4 lockdown. FilmUp is a development programme for writers, directors and producers who have already shown considerable talent and tenacity in their work. It is a highly competitive programme with eight participants being selected from the 82 applications received.
27 MARCH 2020
Screen Australia to Increase Development Investment
Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason has flagged an increase in development investment from next month in order to help the industry weather the coronavirus crisis, and the agency is looking at how it can enhance other industry support measures.
26 MARCH 2020
As we enter what feels like the Twilight Zone, with all but essential workers in total lockdown, NZ On Air is continuing to work (safely at home in our 'bubbles') to ensure our industry can come through these challenges. Today we have launched a new page on our website which details our response to Covid-19.
26 MARCH 2020
'Normal Rules Don't Apply' - Creative NZ Explains Funding
Creative New Zealand Chief Executive Stephen Wainwright tells The Big Idea “we are currently in unprecedented times for which we have no playbook at hand. So we’re putting all of our effort into what you might call emergency mode, and our emergency response package we announced (on Tuesday night) is our best shot at trying to minimise harm to the arts sector.
26 MARCH 2020
UK Chancellor unveils freelance support
Freelance workers and the self-employed in the UK will be able to apply for a grant of up to £2,500 (US$3,000) a month from the government to cover lost earnings during the coronavirus crisis.
26 MARCH 2020
What's Up During Lock Down - The Big Idea
Latest news, opportunities and updates from The Big Idea.
26 MARCH 2020
Prolific UK documentary filmmaker Jeanie Finlay should have been in Portland, Oregon and Los Angeles this month finishing the shoot for her ninth feature film. Obviously that is not possible, so Finlay (based in Nottingham, England) decided to do something positive with the time she suddenly had on her hands: offer free online mentoring sessions to other filmmakers.
25 MARCH 2020
New Zealand Film Commission CEO Confirmed With COVID-19
The New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) can confirm that CEO Annabelle Sheehan has been diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus.
25 MARCH 2020
Screenwriters keep plying their trade through the crisis
Yesterday Strauss, one of the country’s most successful screenwriters, was back at her computer, working on multiple projects in development for Made Up Stories and Nicole Kidman’s Blossom Films, Joanna Werner and See-Saw Films, including a second season of The End.
“I’m incredibly lucky but it is such a time of unparalleled shitness. I still have some scripts to deliver so that will tide me over for a while.” she tells IF.
25 MARCH 2020
BBC ramps up entertainment offer
UK pubcaster the BBC has unveiled a range of programmes designed to bring the UK together during the hardship caused by the coronavirus lockdown.
25 MARCH 2020
China to Rerelease 'Avengers' Franchise, 'Avatar' to Boost Reopening Cinemas (Exclusive)
All four of Marvel's Avengers movies are set to be rereleased in the country in the coming days and weeks. Joining the effort will be past Hollywood blockbusters including Avatar and Warner Bros.' Christopher Nolan films Inception and Interstellar.
The blockbusters haven't yet received official re release dates, but a source at one of China's nationwide cinema operators tells The Hollywood Reporter that they will be made available to movie theaters "basically, whenever the DCPs reach the cinemas."
25 MARCH 2020
State Of Emergency declared in New Zealand
New Zealand is now in a State of National Emergency, after 50 new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus were confirmed today, bringing the total to 205.
25 MARCH 2020
Message to NZers overseas changes – seek shelter
MFAT advice to NZers overseas changes, parliamentary scrutiny to continue amid adjournment, and an essential piece to read on the shutdown rules.
24 MARCH 2020
Covid-19 NZ live updates, March 24: Mortgage repayment holiday scheme announced; total NZ cases 155
New Zealand is currently in alert level three. As of 11.59pm on Wednesday we go to level four: the country shuts down, apart from essential services. For updated official government advice, see here.
23 MARCH 2020
NZ production put into hiatus, cinemas to close as country enters strict lockdown
All New Zealand-based production will enter hiatus after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today that the country will be placed into lockdown from Wednesday in order to contain the spread of COVID-19.
23 MARCH 2020
New Zealand Film Commission Advisory #2 COVID-19 Pandemic as it Affects Production
This Advisory is to provide updated and clear information to producers and the wider production sector about what the NZFC is putting in place to support productions until the pandemic situation is resolved. All our funding opportunities remain open and available, other than the International Travel Grants programme which has been suspended.
23 MARCH 2020
Watch live: PM lifts coronavirus alert status to level 3 - level 4 in 48 hours
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has lifted the country's coronavirus alert status to level 3.
All non-essential services now had to close, she said, and all schools will close. Ardern said these moves would save the lives of tens of thousands of New Zealanders. In 48 hours the alert level would be raised to level 4 and Ardern said these measures will remain in place for a minimum of four weeks.
23 MARCH 2020
Post-Production Industry Fears Work Will Dry Up During Shutdown, Ponders A Remote Editing Future
Compared with other members of the below-the-line community affected by the coronavirus pandemic and the production shutdowns it spurred, post-production artists are uniquely positioned. Relying mostly on computers and an Internet connection to do their jobs, picture editors, sound editors and colorists are able to work remotely, while many other artisans are not.
23 MARCH 2020
NZ Screen Industry Announces COVID-19 Pan Sector Response
In response to the immediate impact of COVID-19 on the New Zealand screen industry, the sector has today announced the formation of the Screen Sector COVID-19 Action Group and a screen-specific online information hub.
21 MARCH 2020
Coronavirus: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gives address to nation on the Covid-19 response
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced a four-level Covid-19 alert system and asked people to stop non-essential travel within New Zealand. Addressing the nation at midday, she said she wanted to give New Zealanders "certainty and clarity" about the risks of Covid-19. Watch the full address.
20 MARCH 2020
Launch of Te Rōpu Whakakaupapa Urutā
Guiding Māori through the COVID19 Pandemic 2020. Here you will find information and resources specifically for Māori about the COVID-19 pandemic. This information has been developed by leading Māori medical experts for whānau Māori.
20 MARCH 2020
SCREENSAFE IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR ALL PRODUCTION CREW
ScreenSafe has added two documents on the website, Covid-19 H&S Policy and Covid-19 Contact Declaration Form. These documents are intended to give Production Companies and HOD guidance and forms to manage Covid-19 on a working production.
20 MARCH 2020
Netflix Announces $100 Million Fund to Help Film and TV Industry Workers
The streamer is committing $15 million of the fund to "third parties and non-profits providing emergency relief to out-of-work crew and cast."
20 MARCH 2020
Creative New Zealand establishes multi-million dollar COVID-19 response
Creative New Zealand’s governing body, the Arts Council, has empowered the national arts development agency to establish a multi-million-dollar Emergency Response Package to support artists, arts practitioners, arts groups and arts organisations coping with the impact of COVID-19.
20 MARCH 2020
Update on the Effects of Covid-19 on the Music Industry, and Our Plan of Action.
The New Zealand Music Commission Te Reo Reka O Aotearoa - As we head into the weekend, the music industry bodies and organisations wanted to update our music community and whānau.
20 MARCH 2020
Guilds call on government to urgently protect the screen industry
Amid production shutdowns and job losses, the Australian Directors’ Guild (ADG), Australian Writers’ Guild (AWG), the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) and Screen Producers Australia (SPA) have penned a joint letter to the Federal Government to seek urgent support for the screen industry.
20 MARCH 2020
How COVID-19 is impacting independent filmmakers
The impact of COVID-19 is having far reaching effects on the entire world and no one industry is immune to the fallout, however freelancers and casual workers (including independent filmmakers) are the canaries in the coal mine.
19 MARCH 2020
Travel bans kill inbound film and TVC production
Travel bans in Australia have shut the door to offshore feature films, TVCs and other productions, with a devastating impact on companies and crews who relied on that work.
19 MARCH 2020
The impact of Covid19 on the NZ film industry
The film and TV production industry is facing major disruption in New Zealand at the moment with Covid-19 closing down or delaying shoots. It follows a period of huge growth in the business and a lot of people working in it are self-employed or contractors.
18 march 2020
Our aim is to provide continued support for Ireland’s creative screen industries during this challenging period. As part of our commitment, Screen Ireland has announced an initial range of measures, all of which we hope will assist those working within the sector.
18 march 2020
€130 million for the film and theatre industry in Italy
The Italian Council of Ministers has approved a decree law aimed at lending support to workers and businesses operating within Italy’s tourism and cultural industries, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The adopted measures include an emergency fund for live performances, films and audiovisual works to the total tune of €130 million.
18 march 2020
Screen industry grapples with coronavirus pandemic as job losses mount.
The coronavirus pandemic is taking a heavy and growing toll on the Australian screen industry, resulting in the postponement of numerous TV shows including the Seven Network’s Holey Moley and widespread job losses.
17 march 2020
SPADA has been taking part in calls with key stakeholders, including the NZFC, NZ On Air, Te Mangai Paho and bond companies to discuss the potential short, medium and long term impact of COVID-19.
Following yesterday's discussions NZ On Air and NZFC prepared the following updates for SPADA to share...
13 march 2020
NZFC Travel Grants Programme Suspended + Health & Safety Procedures/Recommendations for Producers.
further news updates on covid-19.
