News

As the constellation of Matariki rises to mark a time of remembrance, renewal, and reconnection, a powerful new film is set to illuminate cinemas across the country. KŌKĀ, the debut feature by director Kath Akuhata-Brown, is not just a film,…

Last week’s column on the rise of vertical dramas prompted a heartfelt text from a friend who’s worked in film and TV sound for two decades. “Blerrgh. Time to reskill, methinks,” he wrote. “This article made me really see the writing in…

This infamous 1970s doco dives into Auckland’s Hells Angels chapter. Fuelled by pies, beer, and rebellion, they roar across the country, raise eyebrows, and clash with authority. Banned by the NZBC, possibly due to its rough edges – including a…

Screen-industry experts say sales to international streaming platforms are key to the survival of long-running Kiwi medical drama Shortland Street . These would provide much needed funds to keep the soap going, after speculation rose about its future. Screen Producers NZ president Irene…

Irene Gardiner is president of Spada – the New Zealand Screen Producers Guild OPINION: A recent announcement around Budget 2025 has created an unhelpful misconception that the local screen industry has suddenly had a big cash injection. While that would…

Opinion: One of the greatest treats of my 2024 arrived in the middle of winter. I’d signed on to be a regional judge for the Vista Foundation 48Hours film contest, after a few years away. Back before Covid I’d got very…

The Cannes film festival is over for another year. And it’s another year where no New Zealand film got into Official Competition, Critics Week, Director’s Fortnight, or the short film competition. The last NZ feature in Cannes was Cristine Jeff’s Rain 24…

If the United Kingdom has become such a hot spot for Hollywood films and shows, why are so many of its entertainment industry workers out of a job? On the one hand, the country’s soundstages are filled with massive U.S.…

A Hollywood awards body is taking a stand against AI content. The Motion Picture Sound Editors group has announced that its prizes for the 2025 calendar year will not be open to any work in which Generative AI was used…