Foreign film producers keen to tap into NZ talent

Filmmaker Shogo Tomiyama cites 'Lord of the Rings' as a world-class movie and says he wants Japanese producers to learn from the best. Photo / Supplied

Shogo Tomiyama is one of Japan's top film makers and producer of blockbuster movies like Godzilla: Final Wars, Ring and Seven Samurai.

But the studio veteran of 35 years wants to send budding Japanese producers to the land of the Hobbit to learn the art of film making.

Top producers from the Asia Pacific region gathered in Auckland over the weekend to network and discuss co-production opportunities.

Organisers of the Asia-Pacific Producers Network symposium, being hosted in New Zealand for the first time by Film Auckland, said the event was also an opportunity to showcase New Zealand as a film location and promote its wealth of creative talent.

Tomiyama, who was on his first visit to New Zealand, said he had been impressed by what the country could offer to the industry and would be looking to firm up an agreement to bring Japanese producers here.

"This country has everything, from location to very talented creative people, especially in special effects and post production," said Tomiyama, who is president of Toho Studios.

"Movies like Lord of the Rings are world class, and I want future Japanese producers to learn from the best."

About 30 delegates from nine countries, including China Film Bureau deputy director Mao Yu, leading Korean producer James Choi and James Liu, founder of Taiwan's Joint Entertainment, are attending the symposium.

"We are facing one big global market nowadays," said Mr Liu.

"Frankly, it [the symposium] is one of the most efficient ways to complete that mission."

The forum includes sessions with Film NZ chief executive Gisella Carr, South Pacific Pictures chief executive John Barnett and local producers Roseanne Liang (My Wedding and Other Secrets), Robin Scholes (Once Were Warriors), Toa Fraser (No. 2) and Trevor Haysom (In My Father's Den).

"Delegates are looking for New Zealand partners to make English language films that appeal to wider markets than their own," said network president Paul Carran.

Film Auckland manager Michael Brook said the symposium aimed to "explore key issues alongside the leaders of Asia's booming film industry" and make connections and generate new projects and partnerships across the region.

Delegates will also be taken to Wellington and Queenstown this week, to look at what opportunities the regions offer.

The local screen industry employs about 6700 people and is worth more than $2.8 billion annually.

This year's immigration law changes removing the requirement for guild or union referrals for foreign actors coming here for 14 days work or less and for those part of official co-production teams will make it easier for film makers to bring in foreign talent. .

Mr Brook said the world economic power had shifted to Asia in recent years, and New Zealand was well-placed to seize new opportunities the region offers.

China's box office grew 62 per cent last year, and the country is set to become the second-biggest movie market behind the United States.