Six International Productions in Six Months

MEDIA RELEASE FROM FILM NEW ZEALAND

For release on 20 October 2006

Six International Productions in Six Months

Six international features and television series were shooting in New Zealand during the first six months of the year, four of them in Auckland, one in Wellington and Queenstown, and one exclusively in the Wanaka area.

Details on the six productions are among the highlights in the 2005/06 annual report of Film New Zealand, the national film locations office, released today.

The six international productions are:

Bridge To Terabithia, a Walden Media and Walt Disney Pictures production shot in Auckland;

Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America, a Sony Television mini-series shot in Auckland;

Power Rangers Space Patrol Delta, a television series from Buena Vista/Toei for ABC Family Channel also shot in Auckland;

10,000 BC, a Warner Bros, Centropolis Entertainment and Mark Gordon feature production directed by Roland Emmerich (The Day After Tomorrow, The Patriot, Godzilla) completed a six week shoot based in Wanaka;

The Waterhorse, a Walden Media, Revolution Studios, Beacon Pictures and Ecosse Films feature production completed a location shoot based in Queenstown and then moved to Wellington for shooting at Stone Street Studios, with post-production being completed in New Zealand at Weta Digital and Park Road Post;

Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior, a Disney Family Channel telemovie directed in Auckland by New Zealander John Laing.

Commenting in the report, Film New Zealand chairman David Madigan stated: “Film New Zealand’s role in attracting screen production from overseas to build employment within the industry is enhanced by … the quality of our screen productions and the brilliance of our cinema storytellers and all those working with them.”

Since June a seventh international movie started production in Auckland with a location shoot in Wanaka: 30 Days of Night is a Ghost House Pictures, Dark Horse Entertainment, Columbia Pictures with Sony Pictures Entertainment feature production.

Mr. Madigan says a key factor in Film New Zealand’s services is that it is an industry-based and industry-supported organisation – “a point of difference which is welcomed by our international clients.”

The 2005/06 annual report also details six international markets or events where Film New Zealand participated with other partners to promote New Zealand locations and the capabilities of the screen production industry. Among these is the annual AFCI Locations Expo Tradeshow where Film New Zealand managed New Zealand’s presence for the 9th straight year and won three international marketing awards for its logo, its filmnz.com website and 2nd edition of the New Zealand Screen Production Guide.

Established in 1994, Film New Zealand is governed by a board of trustees representing the screen production industry, government funders, and regional film offices. It receives funding through the Ministry of Economic Development, the New Zealand Film Commission, Investment NZ and sponsors. The 2005/06 Annual Report is available for download at www.filmnz.com

ENDS

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