New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC)
NZFC invests up to $2.5M NZD in NZ feature films at production or post-production stage, for scripted and documentary projects.
Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga — the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) — offers Production Investment for feature films at production or post-production stage. This contestable fund supports scripted and documentary feature films between 75 and 110 minutes long made by New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.
Funding levels:
If your total film budget is $1,000,000 or less and you're applying for $500,000 or less, the NZFC contribution is awarded as a grant. For larger projects, it's structured as an equity investment.
What the NZFC is looking for:
Your application should speak to one or two of the following ambitions:
Who can apply:
You must be a NZ citizen or permanent resident, be the lead producer (not also the writer or director unless pre-approved), have significant NZ content or be pursuing an official co-production, have an established NZ distributor attached, and (for budgets over $1M) have an international sales agent in place. A pre-application hui with the Funding Team is required at least four weeks before submitting.
Māori content:
If your project has significant Māori content, at least one key creative role (writer, director, or producer) must be held by a Māori person. The NZFC will also consider IP ownership and benefit sharing in line with Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles.
AI use:
If AI tools are proposed, you must disclose this in your application. The NZFC will assess AI use against its AI Guiding Principles, considering cultural authenticity, creative integrity, transparency, and ethical implications.
How to apply:
Contact the Funding Team at production@nzfilm.co.nz to arrange a pre-application hui, then submit via the NZFC Portal. Applications must be submitted at least ten weeks before the upcoming Board meeting. Check the NZFC website for relevant dates.
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