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Sean Baker’s Oscar triumph with Anora is proof that indie filmmakers can break through the Hollywood system and achieve mainstream success without compromising their artistic vision. But it took him two decades. Baker won Oscars Sunday for original screenplay, editing and directing…

Staircase Studios AI, a new maker of films, TV series and video games, is promising to deliver “near-major-studio” levels of quality at budgets under $500,000. The new company was founded by Pouya Shahbazian, producer of the Divergent franchise. With input…

Wellington writer Esteban Jaramillo has been announced as the 2025 Wellington Write Room Resident with his project Vicio. Producer Jessica George will join the programme’s mentor team as this year’s Producer Intern. Based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Esteban Jaramillo is a…

This documentary unpacks the making of Smash Palace. Cast and crew recall Donaldson’s improvisational style and share stories from the central North Island set, while Geoff Murphy praises his leadership. Donaldson’s casting proved crucial to the film’s success: actors Bruno…

OPINION: Minister Seymour, or should that be ‘Acting’ Prime Minister Seymour? Your recent attack on one of the most successful filmmakers in history for his supposed ‘failure to create jobs for Kiwi actors’ is rich—especially considering that, thanks to the…

Auckland film producer Craig Gainsborough talked with friends for years about how to get people shooting films, TV series and ads in NZ to use more sustainable practices. To help production crews in Aoteatora draw up their own “road map…

Amid the battle for Best Picture, The Brutalist, Conclave and Emilia Perez are looking like the frontrunners considering their slew of other award wins, and the Best Actress contest could easily be clinched by The Substance actress Demi Moore. Timothée…

This story was originally published on The Spinoff. The first of many palpable moments in the room at the Christchurch premiere of Tinā came during a phone conversation between the main character Mareta (Anapela Polataivao) and her daughter. She’s seeking…

As concerns about runaway production mount while California looks to balance its budget and prepares for potential federal funding cuts, top entertainment unions are pulling out all the stops to support proposed expansions to the state’s film and TV tax…

This story was originally published on The Spinoff. Teuila Field (Sāmoan/Pākehā) has a decade of experience working as first assistant director (1st AD) on many well-known TV shows and films, including the recently released Tinā. She considers herself to be…