New fund for emerging and experimental documentary makers

Monday, 18 March 2013

Announcing Te Whai Ao – an exciting new fund for emerging and experimental documentary makers

The NZFC is pleased to announce a new $250,000 fund to support documentary makers to explore one-off documentary ideas.

The fund complements the newly announced Documentary Fund with NZ On Air.

Successful applicants may use the grant to develop their projects to a stage where it is eligible to be considered for other funding (production or post-production investment or finishing grant).

“We want to support emerging New Zealand documentary filmmakers or those with particularly innovative ideas to get their next project off the ground,” says NZFC Chief Executive Graeme Mason. “This fund aims to support those who don’t already have a TV or theatrical documentary credit to their name or whose experimental project doesn’t yet fit with other funding avenues.”

Successful projects will need to have significant New Zealand content, though do not need to be set in New Zealand.

They will show clear potential to achieve film festival selection and/or a New Zealand theatrical release.

Funding will be in the form of a grant to shoot sufficient footage to demonstrate a strong and clear narrative, for instance, by progressing the project to rough-cut stage or by filming significant scenes that help capture the essence of the intended film.

We expect the fund to support around five projects during the year.

The NZFC will release a request for proposals on 18 April, with a view to green-lighting successful projects in August.

The name of the fund refers to the journey towards knowledge and is derived from the saying ki te whai ao, ki te ao marama (from the glimmer of dawn to the break of day).

Key facts

What is the timetable for applications and decisions?
Issue RFP: 18 April
Submission deadline: 18 June
Shortlist circulated: 19 July
Selection meeting: 2 August
Decisions announced: August 2013

Who will select the projects?
A panel made up of staff from NZFC and industry experts.

Who can apply?
New Zealand documentary makers. It is envisaged that directors would apply – if a producer is on board then that is a bonus, but in most cases we would expect that the director may also be the producer.

How many times can I apply?
There is no limit on the number of applications that can be made.

Is there a cap on the amount I can apply for?
No, but bear in mind that the fund is $250,000 and could support more than five projects.

Can I get funding from other sources too?
Absolutely.

ends

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