Film Festival’s Christchurch Home Needs a Boost

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday 21 May

Film Festival’s Christchurch Home Needs a Boost

The New Zealand International Film Festival is seeking support from the filmgoers of New Zealand to equip Christchurch’s historic Isaac Theatre Royal to screen movies.

NZIFF today launched a Boosted campaign to raise $40,000 from public donations to equip the Isaac Theatre Royal. The current rebuild of the theatre could be extended to include state-of-the-art Digital Cinema Projection facilities if an additional $280K is raised by NZIFF. Boosted, an online donation website provided by The Arts Foundation, allows for tax deductions on any donation over $5.

Christchurch City Council has already agreed to provide partial funding for the equipment, with one condition: the NZIFF must generate the additional $210,000.

Christchurch audiences have been without a suitable cinema venue for big screen events since the Regent Theatre was converted to a multiplex in 1995. Heavenly Creatures (1994) was the last Gala Premiere to be held by NZIFF in Christchurch.

Plans for the Isaac Theatre Royal rebuild, scheduled for completion in 2014, include 1250 seats and ample foyer spaces. If equipped for film it will become a multipurpose venue like that found in Auckland (Civic), Wellington (Embassy Theatre), and Dunedin (Regent Theatre).

“Movie lovers across New Zealand are invited to help embed the art of cinema in the artistic hub of resurgent Christchurch. The substantial post-quake rebuild of the Isaac Theatre Royal provides the perfect opportunity to bring back a sense of occasion to movie going and celebrate the art and artists of the giant screen in Christchurch.” says NZIFF Director Bill Gosden.

The Hobbit (and Christchurch-based) actor Mark Hadlow has put his face to the campaign with a short video encouraging New Zealanders to donate only the cost of a NZIFF ticket for Christchurch.

Prominent Christchurch filmmakers are also lending their support to the NZIFF fundraising campaign:

“The earthquakes have taken so much. But just sometimes there are silver linings. Let’s bring the Festival into the heart of the re-imagined city. Let’s make the very beautiful Isaac Theatre Royal home to the Christchurch leg of the New Zealand International Film Festival.” – Gerard Smyth, Director, When a City Falls

“I can’t think of a better place to give the NZIFF a home in Christchurch than the historic Theatre Royal. This is a wonderful opportunity to add something special to the new Christchurch.” – Peter Young, Director, The Last Ocean

“The proposal for the Isaac Theatre Royal to be upgraded and made available as a dedicated Festival venue really warms my heart – both as a filmmaker and a film lover.” – Gillian Ashurst, Director, Snakeskin

NZIFF dates for 2013 are confirmed for the following regions:
Auckland 18 July – 4 August
Wellington 26 July – 11 August
Christchurch 1 – 18 August
Dunedin 8 – 25 August
Gore 14 – 25 August
Palmerston North 15 August – 1 September
Hamilton 22 August – 15 September
Nelson 28 August – 15 September
Tauranga 12 – 29 September
Masterton 16 – 30 October
Hawke’s Bay 16 October – 3 November
New Plymouth 24 October – 6 November

The programme for NZIFF Auckland will be announced on Monday 24 June and for NZIFF Wellington on Thursday 27 June. Tickets will be on sale in Auckland from Friday 28 June, and in Wellington from Tuesday 2 July from Ticketek. For Festival updates visit www.nziff.co.nz and register to receive e-newsletters.

ENDS

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