The NZ film industry, funding and Covid w/ Stuart Nash, Ashley Williams, Tim Hamilton, Calum McLeod and Nikki Boucher, 6 August 2021

Today, Ilena talked to a swathe of people about this week's announcement that the government and Auckland Council will be inveting $35 million into the Auckland Film Studios in Henderson. A privately-funded, $280 million film studio project is also being planned in Wānaka. 

She spoke first with Stuart Nash, the Minister of Economic Development, to give some more details on the Auckland development. Ashley Williams and Tim Hamilton both gave their opinions on these high-end investments and how they do/don't feed back into local filmmaking. Queenstown Lakes District Deputy Mayor Calum McLeod discussed the advantages of the proposed Wānaka studio.

Finally, Nikki Boucher from Screen Wellington commented on the current status of film in Wellington, as well as the appearance of a new purpose-built studio opening in Upper Hutt. The speakers also had many thoughts on the New Zealand screen industry's role in our post-Covid recovery as a desirable, well-resourced and safe location for inter/national productions.