Post Production Drama Lab with Annie Collins, Auckland
2024-06-08 - 2024-06-09
The Directors and Editors Guild of Aotearoa New Zealand welcomes filmmakers to our Post Production Drama Lab with Annie Collins.

This is a one-of-a-kind Lab for Producer/Director/Editor teams working on drama projects that include both short or feature drama films and series.
The two days will cover the different stages of the post process and tools and mechanisms for creative, long-lasting relationships within a team including:

Introductions, approach, and expectations
Before you get started
During the shoot
During post
Receiving and dealing with feedback
Handovers
Post scheduling
Post technical requirements and equipment
Handling VFX
Pickups and found footage, including archival

Up to five Producer/Director/Editor teams will be selected to participate, and up to 10 observers from any of the three skills including Assistant Editors. Each team will also receive one x 1.5-hour post-lab mentoring session with Annie Collins.

Q&A: NIU WAVES 2024 - online
2024-06-10 18:30 - 19:30 (Pacific/Auckland)
NIU Waves 2024 is a Development initiative created by Pacific Islands Screen Artists Inc. (PISA) and supported by Irirangi te motu NZ On Air. It has been designed by PISA from the ground up with a dedication to creating and consolidating a Pasifika approach to screen development.
Niu Waves 2024 will focus on supporting THREE teams through a focused development process with each team receiving Development funding of NZD$25,000 each. The outcome for each team is to develop their idea into a complete treatment, pilot script or proposal by December 2024.

Danish Short Film Night - Auckland
2024-06-11
Cosy up with some Danish cinema. The four award-winning short films in this collection delve into the lives of pragmatic and deeply caring Danes. Subversive animation is on display alongside the catharsis of karaoke, work-place drama, and a drug dealer seeking a starring role. Dark comedy and deep connections abound. The Danish Short Films are presented by Show Me Shorts and the Copenhagen Short Film Festival.
7pm Tuesday 11 June, The Kingslander
The short film night also runs in
Wellington
7pm Wednesday 12 June, Southern Cross Garden Bar and Restaurant
Christchurch
6.15pm, Thursday 13 June, Alice Cinemas

Danish Short Film Night - Wellington
2024-06-12
Cosy up with some Danish cinema. The four award-winning short films in this collection delve into the lives of pragmatic and deeply caring Danes. Subversive animation is on display alongside the catharsis of karaoke, work-place drama, and a drug dealer seeking a starring role. Dark comedy and deep connections abound. The Danish Short Films are presented by Show Me Shorts and the Copenhagen Short Film Festival.
Wellington
7pm Wednesday 12 June, Southern Cross Garden Bar and Restaurant
The short film night also runs in
Auckland
7pm Tuesday 11 June, The Kingslander
Christchurch
6.15pm, Thursday 13 June, Alice Cinemas
https://www.showmeshorts.co.nz/posts/2024danishshortfilmnight

Danish Short Film Night - Christchurch
2024-06-13
Cosy up with some Danish cinema. The four award-winning short films in this collection delve into the lives of pragmatic and deeply caring Danes. Subversive animation is on display alongside the catharsis of karaoke, work-place drama, and a drug dealer seeking a starring role. Dark comedy and deep connections abound. The Danish Short Films are presented by Show Me Shorts and the Copenhagen Short Film Festival.
Christchurch
6.15pm, Thursday 13 June, Alice Cinemas
The short film night also runs in
Auckland
7pm Tuesday 11 June, The Kingslander
Wellington
7pm Wednesday 12 June, Southern Cross Garden Bar and Restaurant

Borders of the Heart - campaign closing
2024-06-14
“Borders of the Heart” is a queer romantic drama short film created by Master’s Screen Production students at the University of Auckland. Written and directed by Weitong Li and produced by Ted Tang, the short film is supervised by Brendan Donovan (known for “Insiders’ Guide to Happiness [and Love]” and “The Hopes and Dreams of Gazza Snell”).

Gimbal Workshop, Auckland
2024-06-15 09:00 - 16:00
The workshop will be led by highly experienced technician and gimbal operator Jono Drew, who walks the line between the camera and grip departments and will impart his experience from 20 years in the industry making gimbals easy on set.
The workshop will consist of technical presentations, hands on time, and creative discussion about how to achieve different types of shots with gimbals. The workshop will be broken down into 2x three hour sessions: morning session which consists of technical, assembly and rigging presentation and hands on time; afternoon session which focuses on creative application, demos and in-depth discussion.
The workshop will appeal to 1st & 2nd AC’s, camera operators, DP’s, and directors and producers wanting to get more inside knowledge on the use of these tools – feel free to come to morning or afternoon sessions as suits.

PISA mid-Winter eveent - Auckland
2024-06-15 18:00 - 20:00
Come along (PISA members only) and connect with other PISA members through a chill and unique activity – more details are coming soon.
BYO & Nibbles will be provided because we are PISA. Please RSVP for catering purposes.
If you haven’t attended a PISA event this year, this is the one you don’t want to miss!
RSVPs Close: 13 June 2024
https://www.pisa.org.nz/event-details/pisa-mid-winter-event-1

Auditioning Online with Micaeley Gibson - observers application deadline
2024-06-17 15:00
Dial in and learn – observe pairs of Kiwi actors work with Australian casting director Micaeley Gibson. If you apply for this you will automatically get an observers spot (as long as you are an Equity NZ or MEAA member). You will receive an email with the zoom link details the day before the class.
Applications Close 17 June 2024 3:00 pm
The event will take place on Tuesday 18 June at midday (NZ time).

Dunedin Script Accelerator Grant
2024-06-17 17:00
Dunedin City Council (DCC), through the Dunedin Film Office at Enterprise Dunedin, has launched an exciting script development opportunity for Dunedin-based filmmakers – the Dunedin Script Accelerator Grant (‘Script Grant’).
View full guidelines here.
We are looking for new and bold stories for both feature films and series that are clearly set in Dunedin.
For this inaugural round, DCC will offer one Script Grant of up to $10,000 (+ GST if applicable) for the development of a scripted film with a total runtime of 80 minutes or more, or for a scripted series project with a minimum runtime of 20 minutes per episode. From this Script Grant, $2,500 (+ GST if applicable) is reserved for engaging an experienced script consultant.
The kaupapa of this Script Grant is to generate support for Dunedin-based writers or producers to develop long-format projects, and to stimulate the city’s screen sector growth by increasing the number of Dunedin-focused stories.
Apply here.

Auditioning Online with Micaeley Gibson
2024-06-18 12:00 - 13:30
This is chance for six Equity NZ members to work in pairs with Australian casting director Micaeley Gibson during a zoom livestream. Micaeley will provide scripts and you will prepare as if doing an online audition. Please note: There will be other actors observing (auditing) this class. Unsuccessful applicants will be sent a Zoom link to observe this class.
This event will take place on Tuesday 18 June at midday (NZ time).

Behind the Lens, Auckland
2024-06-18 18:00 - 20:00
Join us in Auckland for an interesting evening with international cinematographer Jeff Cutter as he unveils the secrets behind his captivating visual storytelling across a range of renowned projects.
California cinematographer Jeff Cutter, currently in New Zealand to film feature film Backpack, has graciously offered his time to share his techniques behind his looks in projects such as Daisy Jones & The Six, 10 Cloverfield Lane and Prey, the predecessor to Backpack.
With over 35 years in the industry and an impressive portfolio, Cutter’s sure to have some valuable insights that you won’t find anywhere else. So, come grab a drink, a slice of pizza, and mingle with your fellow crew.

Kinetic 3, Auckland
2024-06-18 18:30 - 19:30
A series of speaker events for the MDGA, Kinetic looks to give experienced motion designers the chance to share their knowledge and process with the community. Our 3 speakers from across the spectrum of motion disciplines will share their insights, experiences, and the secrets behind their captivating work. We’ll explore the latest trends and innovations in motion design, and you’ll have the chance to delve into some awesome motion design projects.
Our speakers for this event are Tao Mao – Freelance Motion Designer, Renee Jacobi – Animation Director at Daylight and Rich Nosworthy – Freelance 3D Designer and Technical Director
We encourage you to participate, ask questions, and interact with our speakers to gain a deeper understanding of the work.

Temporal, campaign closing
2024-06-19
TEMPORAL is the passion project of Weston Symes and James Tweddle. We have been dreaming about creating a grounded, cassette futurism, sci-fi film following a lone spaceman on a desolate world for years; TEMPORAL is the culmination of that dream.
TEMPORAL is a short film about a spaceman surviving against the odds on a distant alien planet. After a magnetic storm claims not just his survey ship but also his copilot’s life, the struggling spaceman continues on, determined not to give up the mission. But, as he discovers, there’s something not quite right with this planet: something ancient is at work, and the spaceman might just be the final piece to a cosmic puzzle.
It covers themes of isolation, human resilience and existentialism inspired by the cosmic horror of H.P. LOVECRAFT and the hard sci-fi of THE EXPANSE series.
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Doc Edge Festival 2024 – Christchurch
2024-06-19 - 2024-06-30 | Christchurch
The 19th Edition will be held from 19 June to 31 July with Ōtautahi Christchurch as the hub for all things documentary, followed by Auckland, Wellington and Virtual Cinema nationwide.
As an Academy Awards® qualifying international documentary festival, Doc Edge is poised to become a major cultural event in the Asia Pacific region, positioning Ōtautahi Christchurch as the hub for all things documentary. This is an exciting, bold, and strategic move, the festival solidifies its global reputation as a crucial destination for films to debut their world and international premieres.
Christchurch | 19 – 30 June | In Cinema
The festival will be held across Hoyts EntX, Lumiere Cinemas, Alice Cinemas, Christchurch Art Gallery, the Town Hall, Tūranga Central Library, and other locations turning the Garden City into a “Life Unscripted” documentary destination with screenings, an awards ceremony, immersive exhibition, schools programme, live events, industry forum, pitching competition, film market and networking opportunities.

VFX Guild drinks, Christchurch
2024-06-20 18:00 - 20:00
We invite you to join us for a series of casual drinks across New Zealand this June! It’s a perfect opportunity to unwind, catch up with fellow members, and share ideas in a relaxed atmosphere. This is for members only, but please feel free to bring a plus one who is interested in knowing more about the Guild.
These gatherings are a chance to network, discuss the latest in VFX, SFX, film tech and animation, and simply enjoy good company. We look forward to seeing you there!
RSVP to info@vfxg.nz for venue

Southern Pilots
2024-06-21 - 2024-06-23
Script to Screen, in partnership with Film Otago Southland, launches an exciting new development opportunity called Southern Pilots, for Otago and Southland based screen creators.
Script to Screen and Film Otago Southland are looking for new and emerging filmmakers with compelling, bold series story ideas suitable for development and viable for future production. Southern Pilots offers both talent and project development for three teams. The teams will have one-on-one advisor sessions and hear from industry speakers over a three-day development workshop, which aims to create outstanding pitch documents to present to potential producer partners and funders.

Script Editing for Producers
2024-06-21 - 2024-06-27
Producers know how to make films. They are brilliant at finance plans, budgeting, location scouting, relationships with agents, distributors, sales agents, streamers, broadcasters and audiences. And they know a good story when they see one – but all too often they see scripts that are promising, but lacking key screen elements.
What producers are looking for in screenplays is original compelling narratives, a gripping world of the story with strongly developed characters, a propulsive story with escalating dramatic conflict and sparkling dialogue.
Often producers are presented with scripts which have some, but not all of these essential screen elements – and they are not always as clear as they would like to be about how to turn things around and implement an effective development strategy.
This workshop is designed to enable producers to engage deeply with screen stories using the language of script development and to recognise when a script is working, when it is not, and what to do about it. At its conclusion, producers should feel confident about how to assess the potential of a screenplay, how to discuss the screenplay with the writer, how to put together the right development strategy, how to constantly consider ways in which the writer could make stronger choices and how to assess and elevate each draft.
Understanding development and the process by which a good screenplay becomes great is an essential part of every producers’ toolkit because a producer who understands development will always be ahead of the curve.
This workshop will run as two separate modules.
The first is for experienced producers (minimum of one producer credit, either feature film or TV series) looking for a refresher course or upskilling or just the opportunity to talk about how screenplays work how producers manage script development. Course runs Friday 21 June – Monday 24 June. Apply here.
The second is for emerging producers (no prior credits required) who are keen to further their script analysis and script development skills. Course runs Tuesday 25 June – Thursday 27 June. Apply here.

Catchlight Film Festival - submission deadline
2024-06-24 10:00
Now in its fourth year, Sony presents the Catchlight Film Festival to once again celebrate the best short-form filmmaking shot on Sony cameras across Australia and New Zealand. The Festival continues its mission to encourage filmmakers at all levels, from passionate amateurs to industry veterans, showcasing the exceptional talent and abilities of cinematographers and filmmakers who are using the Sony system to capture their stories.
What’s New in 2024?
In 2024, the prize structure for the major categories has been tweaked to better suit the needs of our prize winners. Where previous prize winners would take away $10,000 worth of Sony camera gear, that value is now split into $5,000 worth of gear and a $5,000 filmmaking grant, allowing our winners much more flexibility to make the most of their winnings. In addition, the Student Fiction category prize has been brought in line with the other major categories, now awarding the same split $5,000 gear / $5,000 grant prize pack.
Finally, 2024 sees the debut of the “Cinematic Social” category, designed to recognise striking and beautiful work created specifically for the small screen.
Cinematic Social is for the kind of short form evocative content that has risen to prominence on Social Media in recent years, most often in the form of travel and lifestyle Reels. This content does not follow a typical fiction or non-fiction story line. The sequence of content may follow a theme, idea, location, or concept. The key is the visual identity of the content remains the same which unifies the short film.
Competition Dates
Entries open at 09:00 AM AEDT on Wednesday, 21st February 2024 and close for submissions at 12:00PM AEST on Monday, 24 June 2024.

ShowNews Academy - I Am Cuba
2024-06-25 19:00 - 22:00 | Academy Cinema, 44 Lorne St, Auckland, New Zealand
Directed by Mikhail Kalatozov
Starring Sergio Corrieri, Salvador Wood, José Gallardo, Jean Bouise, Luz María Collazo
Each month ShowNews presents a film at Academy Cinemas picked by a special film industry guest. For June, it is a 60th anniversary screening of the visually groundbreaking revolutionary triumph, I AM CUBA!
Both a landmark of radical political cinema and one of the most visually ravishing films ever made, this legendary hymn to revolution shimmers across the screen like a fever dream of rebellion. The result of an extraordinarily ambitious collaboration between the Soviet and Cuban film industries, director Mikhail Kalatozov’s I AM CUBA unfolds in four explosive vignettes that capture Cuban life on the brink of transformation, as crushing economic exploitation and inequality give way to a working-class uprising. Backed by Carlos Fariñas’s stirring score, the dazzling camera work by Sergei Urusevsky—an inspiration for generations of filmmakers to follow—gives flight to the movie’s message of liberation.
Tickets only $10!
Happy Hour drinks from 7pm.
Screening 8:30pm.

Doc Edge Industry 2024 – Christchurch
2024-06-26 - 2024-06-29 | Christchurch
A must-attend series of events for screen professionals, including Pitch, Awards, Forum, and Market. Join us in Christchurch for this exciting opportunity to share ideas, problem solve, and make great content.
Doc Edge Industry 2024
Join us in Christchurch 26 – 29 June for Doc Edge Industry 2024 – a must-attend series of events for screen professionals.
Pitch | 26-27 June: 21 finalists from around the world present their incredible stories to industry professionals.
Awards | 27 June: Celebrate outstanding achievements in documentary filmmaking at our prestigious awards ceremony.
Forum | 28-29 June: Engage in discussions with change-makers and decision-makers on the most compelling issues facing the industry today.
Market | 26-29 June: Network and connect with local and international filmmakers and industry professionals.
Don’t miss this opportunity to share ideas, problem solve, and make great content. Passes are limited, so secure yours now.
2-Day & 4-day passes are available.
We would like to acknowledge that times are uncertain for many in our industry and wish to show our support by offering half-price accreditations. Please book using the code ‘Community2024’. We have also partnered with several hotels to provide you with a special discounted rates, you can check out these offers and more information on our website.

The Moon is Upside Down talk - Wellington
2024-06-26 18:30 - 20:30
Following the recent New Zealand release of The Moon is Upside Down, Loren Taylor (writer/director/actor) joins moderator and writer Duncan Sarkies (Scarfies, and Two Little Boys) to discuss her writing process, the challenges of creating stories and characters that come alive on screen, and how she and her team moved this unique and beautifully crafted feature from her initial idea to production and release.

Messie - campaign closes
2024-06-27
From Gisborne to Glastonbury, while managing friendship, whanau, and wellbeing the young, queer DJ Messie rises to fame, seen through the lenses of current club subcultures.
Our crew is looking for your support in bringing Messie: A Feature Length Documentary to life! This is a fast-paced story, made by the next generation of New Zealand Filmmakers.
Having self-funded this documentary for the last 5 months, our team is fully committed. We’re ready to go all in and capture this pivotal moment.Funds raised via Boosted will go towards the necessary costs for the crew to capture the next step in Tessa’s career. Your donation will also support keeping this story afloat until funding decisions and applications have been processed.

Adaptive Boxing Event doco, campaign closing
2024-06-29
The Adaptive Boxing Event is the first one of its kind in New Zealand. The event was held on Saturday 23rd of March in South Auckland. The event featured adaptive, able, and exhibition matches, along with entertainment from local dancers. The audience and participants were provided with closed captioning, appropriate lighting, accessible rings, and boxing gear.
Dead Slate Studios were chosen to cover the match and the practices leading up to the event to form a Documentary that is now in Post-Production.
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Tympanic - campaign closes
2024-06-29
Tympanic is our take on the post apocalyptic story. Inspired by Movies and TV shows like A Quiet Place and The Last of Us. We wanted to make a universal thriller that can be enjoyed by all. It’s a small story, but one that we want to do beautifully.
Conceived a year ago by a group of young film crew workers (us) over an early morning coffee, a small seed of an idea turned into a rather serious script with real potential. A horror/thriller with real emotional stakes and a tragedy at heart.
A short visualizer captured the atmosphere and feel we were trying to achieve for the larger film. Using the actual main cast for the actual short, we’re super proud of this film even though there’s a much larger story to tell.
This has all carried us to the present. Myself, Jackson, and my DOP Michael are super excited to make this special short film we’ve been planning for so long. We’ve already secured a few locations for filming and are in an intensive pre-prod schedule designing the world.

Misty Flicks Challenge
2024-06-30
Join us in the inaugural Misty Flicks Challenge, New Zealand’s catalyst for short film mastery and collaborative filmmaking. We’re igniting the passion of our homegrown talent to tell stories that resonate both locally and globally. This is your calling card to showcase your skills, meet like-minded creators, and be part of a community that thrives on the art of cinema.
TL;DR – The Misty Flicks Challenge is a short film competition for New Zealand filmmakers where you have some months to complete a single-digit runtime short film. Finalists will be Screened at the Misty Flicks Independent Film Festival.
Registrations opened on 16 March and will close on 30 June. Submissions must be completed by 31 August. The festival runs 22-24 November.

Film Raro - submission deadline
2024-06-30
Developing nations such as the South Pacific’s Cook Islands need to learn more about telling their own digital stories to aid social and economic development.
To be able to see themselves on screen, hear their own language, preserve heritage, culture and identity, to have a voice in today’s audio visual digital world.
Film Raro2 is a world first concept in the way that it will link passionate film makers to indigenous peoples to collaborate in the production of international short films.

We are searching for up to eight great scripts to take into production at Film Raro2.

We are reviewing registered scripts now to establish a list of the best eight.

We will continue to take new scripts until June 30th, 2024.

Nuku’alofa Film Festival - campaign closes
2024-06-30
The Nuku’alofa Film Festival was founded in 2015, by artistic director Sisi’uno Helu and other filmmakers from New Zealand of Tongan descent. It’s aim is to empower Tongan and Tagata Pasifika artists to tell their own stories by amplifying their voices through film.
With 4 past iterations, The Nuku’alofa Film Festival has screened a wide tapestry of award winning films, including Leitis in Waiting, The Head and the Hand, Lady Eva, For My Father’s Kingdom and more. The Film Festival has served as one of few platforms to highlight both local and international screen artistry within the Pacific. With humble beginnings, the NFF rallied support of local partners on a grassroots level. Creating intimate and meaningful relationships with filmmakers and local organisation in Tonga. Since its hiatus, there has been interest for the Festival’s return.
Our goal is to re-establish the presence of the Nuku’alofa Film Festival in Tonga.

Québecois Short Film Night - Auckland
2024-07-02
The creativity of filmmakers from the Québec region of Canada is on display in this vibrant collection of short films. Animation, comedy and drama abound as children begin to grow up, social norms are challenged, and the location for a park bench is proposed.
7pm Tuesday 2 July, The Kingslander
The short film night also runs in
Wellington
7pm Wednesday 3 July
and Christchurch
6.15pm, Thursday 4 July, Alice Cinemas

Québecois Short Film Night - Wellington
2024-07-03
The creativity of filmmakers from the Québec region of Canada is on display in this vibrant collection of short films. Animation, comedy and drama abound as children begin to grow up, social norms are challenged, and the location for a park bench is proposed.
7pm Wednesday 3 July
The short film night also runs in
Auckland
7pm Tuesday 2 July, The Kingslander
Christchurch
6.15pm, Thursday 4 July, Alice Cinemas
