NEW INITIATIVE FOR KIWI FILM MAKERS

NEW INITIATIVE FOR KIWI FILM MAKERS

The NZFC’s new low budget feature film initiative, Escalator, was formally launched in Auckland today at the Academy Cinema. The launch was followed by a master class with director and star of low-budget British film SHIFTY, Eran Creevy and Riz Ahmed.  

Launching the initiative today, CEO Graeme Mason said “Escalator is all about creative film making ideas explicitly conceived with low budget production in mind, by teams that relish the challenge of working lean and fast.  Escalator is most definitely not about squeezing a bigger budget idea into a low budget framework.”

Mason added, “After consulting and listening to film makers both here and abroad, we believe Escalator is an exciting opportunity for NZ writers, directors, producers and crew to step up to bigger features. It is about a team of two or more individuals collaborating together, inspiring each other.” 

Film makers have six weeks to form their creative teams and submit first stage applications for Escalator by the 2010 deadline date of Monday 29^th March.  Twelve teams will go on to take part in a low-buget boot camp. Four of these teams will be offered funding of up to NZ$250,000.  Application guidelines are available on the NZFC website and NZFC staff are available to answer questions.  

The initiative will also launch in Wellington on Thursday 11^th of Feb at the Paramount Cinema and in Dunedin on Saturday 13^th of Feb at the Otago Museum, followed by the master class.  SHIFTY was made under the Film London Microwave Initiative with a production budget of £100,000.  The film is being released in NZ and Australia on the 11^th of February.  

For more information about Escalator please contact Paul Swadel, Tel: +64 4 382 7680 / Paul@nzfilm.co.nz

Application Guidelines can be found on the NZFC website:  http://www.nzfilm.co.nz/escalator