Connecting documentaries with new audiences

New collaboration seeks to connect documentaries with new audiences

A new million dollar joint initiative between the NZ Film Commission and NZ On Air aims to create diverse feature-length documentaries for both theatre and television screens.

Doc Connect is the first collaboration under the new ‘virtual agency’ Screen NZ, announced last month by the NZFC, NZ On Air and FilmNZ.

A Request for Proposals has just been released by the two agencies. The fund expects to support between three and six projects, with $200k -$400k available per project.

The point of difference with Doc Connect lies in the extent to which the documentary makers will need to show that they understand their target audience and have a plan to connect the documentary with that audience.

“Documentaries are a trusted vehicle for telling New Zealand stories on screens both big and small. The Doc Connect approach is about ensuring film-makers have researched their audience and have a plan to reach them,” says Jane Wrightson Chief Executive of NZ On Air.

Dave Gibson, Chief Executive of NZ Film Commission adds, “We want to see great ideas and have created a deliberately flexible fund, that allows filmmakers to negotiate innovative distribution models."

The Request for Proposals can be found on the NZ On Air website

and on the NZ Film Commission website.

Applications close Friday 8 August 2014.

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