Asian Film Producers Positive about New Zealand

MEDIA RELEASE
November 11, 2008

Asian Film Producers Positive about New Zealand

“There is a growing interest in New Zealand in Asia,” says Film Auckland board member Paul Carran on his return from the Asia Pacific Producers’ Network conference in Tokyo. “Korea, China, Taiwan and Japan are markets with much to offer the New Zealand screen production industry Business in Asia will continue to grow and flourish. I see great things happening in the future, despite the current financial turmoil.”

Held in conjunction with the Tokyo International Film Festival at Roppongi Hills, Tokyo, last month, the Asia Pacific Producers Network conference brings together film producers from across the Asia Pacific region to explore co-production opportunities and discuss taking projects to other countries.

Carran also attended the Japan Location Market and a new feature of the Tokyo International Film Festival, the Tokyo Producer Group, a targeted forum for specific Asian film and television projects looking for investors and co-production partners.

He says, “All members were interested in the potential of New Zealand to develop and co-produce new and interesting stories that have an audience in the West as well as Asia. The SPIF (Screen Production Incentive) grant gives New Zealand producers a stronger place in the process of developing and financing movies with an Asian influence.”

Film Auckland executive manager Michael Brook struck similar interest and high level of goodwill on his trip to Busan and Seoul in Korea in early October. He says, “The producers I met are looking at portals into English language markets and see New Zealand as a good partner for this. Incentives such as SPIF are a big drawcard for Korean producers and investors and they want to make the system work for them. Our co-production treaty with Korea was also viewed very positively and, as the Korean industry is quiet at the moment, many are actively looking to work with New Zealand partners.”

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