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FILM INDUSTRY BOOST By Lawrence JohnstonTHERE is a boost for the movie business with the announcement of extra government funding. Announcing the extra funding last month, Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard said the government was taking a co-ordinated approach to boost the film industry, with improvements to the Large Budget Screen Production Grant (LBSPG), and ongoing funding for Film New Zealand, "These changes will ensure that New Zealand remains a competitive and attractive location for the international screen industry," Mr Mallard said. Big budget international productions had a positive impact on the New Zealand economy, but it was a competitive environment and it was important that any incentives were tailored to the needs of the international industry. Film New Zealand - the one-stop shop organisation which helps facilitate access to New Zealand as a location for international film makers - has also been granted six years of additional funding until 2012/13, totalling NZ$4.8 million. He also announced major improvements to the LBSPG, including moving to make bundled films eligible. These changes would provide a "great" boost to the local industry - ensuring the grant was an incentive that was competitive internationally, but which enabled New Zealand to maintain its high quality reputation and support its core strengths in technology and production locations. New Zealand had a strong international reputation with a great depth of talent, cutting- edge technology and diverse production locations. The grant, which complemented these strengths, offered a financial incentive that compared favourably with incentives available in other countries. "The changes we have introduced will reinforce our reputation as a film-friendly and competitive location," Mr Mallard said. The grant had helped attract major productions to New Zealand. Since it was introduced in July 2003 nine major productions had gone to New Zealand and benefited, receiving grants totalling $NZ90.41 million (GST exclusive). That reflected a total qualifying New Zealand production expenditure of $NZ 723 million. But recently grant spending had dropped and New Zealand was facing increasing competition as a location for big budget films. "The changes we've introduced will help us to stay ahead of the game, while still keeping the grant format and payment process simple, transparent and quick," he said. There was significant international support for bundling and it was likely to bring an increase in quality work to New Zealand. Attracting bundled productions would provide greater work continuity and certainty for the local industry. The minimum spend for each production would ensure there was a focus on quality for bundled productions. The specific post-production, digital and visual effects incentive recognised New Zealand's strengths in design. It would act as a catalyst for growth in this sector and would enable New Zealand to attract more of the total international post-production digital and visual effects market, Mr Mallard said. The changes to the scheme would take effect immediately. Their impact would be tracked through an annual report to Cabinet summarising LBSPG expenditure in the previous financial year and projected future expenditure. There would also be a full review of the grant at the end of 2011. Mr Mallard had also asked officials to report back to him on the implications of the changes for the domestic industry. The Film NZ funding amounts to:
The changes to the LBSPG include:
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