NZ still hot for film-makers

Overseas interest in New Zealand as a film-making destination remains strong according to Film New Zealand's annual report.

Film New Zealand - the national film locations office founded by the screen production industry in 1994 - said it managed 143 project inquiries in the financial year 2004-05, 70 more than the previous year. Ninety-one of these related to feature films.

Overseas interest in New Zealand as a screen production destination remained high, with six visits from producers and other movie personnel from the US and Australia visiting locations for potential future productions.

Results on a survey of international production companies which had worked in New Zealand showed their experiences were highly positive.

Chief executive Judith McCann said Film New Zealand's information and facilitation services were increasingly working for local film-makers as well as those from overseas, covering television commercials, documentaries, TV dramas and reality shows and feature film projects.

Initiatives during the year included renewed partnership agreements with six established regional film offices and the addition of Film Volcanic (covering Bay of Plenty through to Rotorua) as the newest and seventh regional partner.

- NZPA