Casting Now - Starring You with Martin Campbell

Media Release
30 August 2007

Casting Now - Starring You with Hollywood-based Filmmaker, Martin Campbell

Applications for the Inaugural Inspiring New Zealanders Scholarship in Film Now Open

Air New Zealand is delighted to announce that applications for the inaugural Inspiring New Zealanders Scholarship in Film are now open.

The Air New Zealand Inspiring New Zealanders Scholarship in Film is the latest addition to the Inspiring New Zealanders programme and will provide one talented filmmaker with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be mentored by the acclaimed New Zealand born filmmaker, Martin Campbell, director of the Bond blockbuster, Casino Royale.

Air New Zealand General Manager Marketing Steve Bayliss says the airline is excited to be able to offer a potentially career-launching opportunity to an up-and-coming filmmaker.

“There is nothing more valuable than having an experienced veteran on hand to guide you in your chosen career. Martin is one of New Zealand’s most commercially successful filmmakers, and he will be a great mentor for a talented filmmaker still in the formative stage of his or her career. Throughout the year-long mentoring programme, the recipient will have unprecedented access to Martin, and spend time with him on his next major feature film, as well as attend a short course at UCLA Film School," says Mr Bayliss.

Aspiring applicants for the Air New Zealand Inspiring New Zealanders Scholarship in Film can apply online at www.inspiringnewzealanders.com . Applications must be received by 5pm on the 30th of September 2007. The successful scholarship recipient will be announced mid October 2007.

The Air New Zealand Inspiring New Zealanders Scholarship in Film 2007 is open to New Zealand residents or passport holders, based not only in New Zealand, but around the globe.

The Air New Zealand Inspiring New Zealanders Scholarship programme also includes scholarships in Olympic Sports, Fashion and Wine. For more information, please visit www.inspiringnewzealanders.com

ENDS

Issued by Air New Zealand Public Affairs, phone +64 (0)9 336 2761

About Martin Campbell, Filmmaker
Born in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, Martin Campbell began his career as a cameraman in London. Campbell made his directorial debut on the British police action series The Professionals, and continued with two more popular BBC series Shoestring and Minder. By the mid 1980s, Martin was considered one of the U.K.’s top television directors.

Martin is best known for rejuvenating the James Bond franchise. In 1995 he directed GoldenEye, starring Pierce Brosnan, which went on to gross more than $350 million. Most recently, he directed his second James Bond film, the widely acclaimed Casino Royale, starring Daniel Craig.

Today, Martin is considered one of the Hollywood’s top directors. Martin is currently prepping 20th Century Fox's thriller Unstoppable and 36, a remake of the French-language thriller 36 Quai Des Orfevres.

Other career highlights include:

• The Academy Award® and Golden Globe nominated The Mask Of Zorro, which launched the international careers of Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones
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• Vertical Limit, the film earned over $200 million in worldwide box office sales
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• Martin won six BAFTA awards for his work on Edge of Darkness, a five-hour BBC mini-series about nuclear contamination in England
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• Black Joy, selected for competition at the Cannes Film Festival
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• British telefilm, Reilly: Ace of Spies
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About the Air New Zealand Inspiring New Zealanders scholarship programme

Inspiring New Zealanders is a scholarship programme that involves "inspiring" New Zealanders who have achieved the highest level of achievement in their field, providing inspiration and guidance to the next generation of talented New Zealanders.

The first scholarships launched in September 2005 in Olympic Sports. In July 2006, the programme was expanded to include the Inspiring New Zealanders scholarship in Fashion and, in December 2006, the Inspiring New Zealanders scholarship in Wine for apprentice winemakers was added to the programme.

For more information, please visit www.inspiringnewzealanders.com

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