The Documentary New Zealand Trust (DOCNZ) has welcomed Monday’s announcement of support for documentary filmmakers from the NZFC and NZ On Air.
A joint initiative sees a dedicated $2.5 million documentary fund established, intended to support a minimum of five projects annually. In addition the NZFC will support Te Whai Ao, a scheme for emerging and experimental doco filmmakers.
Welcoming the initiatives DOCNZ’s Alex Lee called them “the kiss of life”. Lee is currently in Malaysia attending Asian Side of the Doc.
At its 2012 Screen Edge Forum, DOCNZ ran a session Mind the Gap about the lack of funding opportunities for doco filmmakers in NZ. Next month’s Forum will now run a session Plugging the Gap.
One of the ways filmmakers can help plug the gap is entering Doc Pitch, which this year offers $17,000 in prizes.
The NZFC/NZ On Air announcement is here.
