Wellywood On Show To International Film Industry

Media release

Wellywood On Show To International Film Industry

The Wellington region's film industry will have the opportunity to cement its global connections when up to 300 film industry executives from 30 countries arrive for a week-long industry conference next year.

Regional EDA Ltd announced today that its film facilitation unit, Film Wellington, has won the right for Wellington to host the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) Cineposium 2008, against competing offers from Spain, Korea, South Africa, China and France.

Film Wellington's Manager, Jean Johnston, said it was a great honour for Wellington to be able to host the Cineposium 2008 because it was generally held in the United States, and other countries were able to host it only once every three years. It has never been held in New Zealand, and only once in Australia.

"We're delighted that our proposal convinced the international selection panel that Wellington was the most exciting place to hold the 2008 Cineposium," Ms Johnston said. "It's another indication that Wellington is highly-regarded in the international screen production industry."

AFCI film commissioners are in the business of marketing their regions to attract screen production work. Some of the 300 member offices around the world, like Film Wellington, also facilitate the logistics of production.

Ms Johnston said the Cineposium was AFCI's premier annual conference, where industry professionals shared information and knowledge, would also be a great benefit to New Zealand's six other regional film offices, as the local industry would get a better opportunity to upskill and to promote filming in New Zealand.

"This event will also be attended by distinguished speakers who are leaders in the film industry and by location scouts, and we'll be asking our famous people in the industry to come and talk to them."

"We expect that the Cineposium will lead to more film business opportunities for New Zealand," Ms Johnston said.

Film Wellington's bid to host the Cineposium in Wellington was accompanied by letters of support from Peter Jackson, Richard Taylor, Mayor Kerry Prendergast, and Film New Zealand.

The bid was substantially supported by Conventions & Incentives New Zealand and Positively Wellington Tourism, "which was vital to our ability to put together such a compelling proposal," Ms Johnston said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media