Christchurch's Resilient Film Industry
Spring has seen us rise through another level 4 lockdown and Covid disruptions, cancelling many jobs in mid-flight.
However, the region has managed to bounce back and harness the Covid opportunity as a production-ready location solution for the North Island.
We are welcoming collaboration with Auckland agencies and production companies making serious enquiries as they look for solutions for pre-Christmas campaigns.
Key benefits of a film-friendly council and fast turnaround city location permits with a pool of skilled crew and equipment.
Christchurch has established relationships with nationwide equipment suppliers to support additional requirement supply with remote streaming solutions along with additional camera gear.
We are in a fortunate position that heaps more crew are in the region after returning from Auckland lockdown with a number of DOPs and experienced technical crew across all departments available to work, production, DOPs, ADs, camera, lighting, grip, sound, art department, safety, casting are available.
It has been a busy last few weeks with local line producers and producers quoting and location scouts searching for spring locations, supermarkets, houses, beaches, urban streets, and city locations for advertising campaigns and work shot for TVNZ, Novus, Calder Stewart, Ethique, Australia’s Bellamy’s Organic, Springtime, and Prime TV.
A number of funded short films are in preproduction or just released with NZFC, Loadingdocs, Somedaystories, Freshshorts, and independently funded successful shorts screening at international film festivals along with NZIFF and ShowMeShorts. Sending good vibes and inspiration we celebrate Christchurch-born Director Jessica Hobbs winning an Emmy Award on the 'War' episode of the television series The Crown.
The recently announced Canterbury ScreenNZ funding incentive for long-form production-ready projects to shoot in Canterbury has raised over 24 enquiries, 8 full applications, with 6 to be revised by the panel. ChristchurchNZ to make final decision early October, exciting times ahead for local crew!
Looking forward to what Canterbury brings...
Amanda Jenkins, Christchurch Branch Chair
