Worries as 'Narnia' film studio faces financial trouble

The Kelly Park Film Village was home to 'The Chronicles of Narnia'. Photo / Doug Sherring

The financial troubles throttling two Auckland film studios have put strain on the entire industry, a leading movie producer says.

Kelly Park Film Village - home to The Chronicles of Narnia series - is currently being advertised for mortgagee sale, after an overseas investment deal fell through.

Kelly Park's 332ha of land in Wainui, northwest of Auckland, comprises one large studio, a moveable studio, an animation studio, accommodation, offices, set building, storage work shops and a water set.

Kelly Park director Steve Barker refused to comment on the mortgagee sale but said they were fighting to keep the property. "We're still working out how to get it back," he said. "Whether we lose it completely or not, we don't know."

Meanwhile, Tony Tay Film Ltd, majority shareholder of Auckland Film Studios Ltd, went into receivership early this year. Auckland Film Studios' site in Henderson has five studios, workshops and offices.

Both studios are determined to continue operating, and even to expand - but the financial threat to their futures is worrying New Zealand film producers and workers.

Producer Murray Francis said Auckland's lack of studios was already preventing international business from coming to New Zealand.

"To call yourself a studio you need to have at least four [studios], and that's what we need in Auckland right now to attract major funding and major American productions," Francis said.

"The lack of studios is taking a lot of business away from New Zealand."