Film Otago Southland

27/08/2026

MUM I'M ALIEN PREGNANT is coming to in Dunedin!

Earlier this year the film screened at Sundance, Fantasia Film Fest, Melbourne International Film Festival, & New Zealand International Film Festival.

Following the screening will be a Q&A with director duo THUNDERLIPS and Hannah Lynch, one of the main leads from the film.

Screening on Thursday September 03 at 7:15pm. Grab your tickets here:
https://www.rialto.co.nz/movie/mum-im-alien-pregnant =2026-09-03

26/08/2026

Have your say in the annual Crew & Business Survey—complete yours today via the link in our bio! 🎬👇
First launched in July 2025, our annual survey provides the essential data underpinning our advocacy with the Government and tracks the health of New Zealand’s international screen sector.
This year’s edition also includes dedicated questions for Post, Digital & VFX businesses.
* Time required: 3 minutes
* Who should respond: Members, crew, businesses, and vendors
* Deadline: 31 August 2026
Every response strengthens our collective voice. Please complete and share widely.

26/08/2026

Applications have been extended and new seminar dates added for the Kahurangi Toi Ātea, National Screen Training Programme 🎥

Screen Industry training specialists, Share The Knowledge and leading educational provider in Māori Performing Arts, Te Wānanga Whare Tapere O Takitimu, in partnership with INDUSTRY SCREEN TRAINING BOARD and with support from and , have designed an industry-led screen industry skills programme for below the line crew – KAHURANGI TOI ĀTEA (KTA).

➡KTA will be offering 6 courses in 2026 and willl take up to 8 participants to ensure a diverse selection across all regions. KTA can work with each individual to understand their needs for participation, and some funding is available to support travel and accommodation for those who require it.

The courses available for the Kahurangi Toi Ātea, 2026 National Screen Industry Training Programme are:
⚪Arts
⚪Production
⚪Technical

📞Free Information seminars will be held on the below dates:
Thursday, 27 August at 7.30pm and Tuesday, 2 September at 7.30pm.

📝With a new deadline for applications on Tuesday 2 September, visit the website to discover more information and to apply!
https://kahurangitoiatea.co.nz

18/08/2026

Get ready to apply for Day One Shorts 2027!

Day One Hāpai te Haeata is seeking diverse emerging directors without prior NZ on Air, Te Māngai Pāho or NZ Film Commission production funding to make their first professionally funded short film.

Directors must be either aged 18-29 or apply under the 30+ sub-category for new and emerging filmmakers. Eight films will be commissioned, including at least two Māori films featuring a minimum of 50% te reo Māori.

All genres and perspectives are welcome, with $20k in drama funding and $15k in documentary funding (subject to change).

Applications close Monday 14 September 2026, midday (no later).

Enquiries: [email protected]
More info: dofilm.co.nz/shorts/

12/08/2026

Opening the New Zealand International Film Festival is the debut feature film from Paloma Schneideman BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY.

Screening this Friday 14 August at Regent Theatre Ōtepoti.

The film premiered at Sundance Film Festival, where it was a finalist for the World Cinema Dramatic Award

Visit https://www.nziff.co.nz/2026/otepoti-dunedin/big-girls-dont-cry/ for more information and tickets.

11/08/2026

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN for The Outsiders Talent Development Program, as part of their SNOW Content Residency.

Powered by Nikon New Zealand and supported by Film Queenstown Lakes, the programme will be bringing together 20 emerging photographers, filmmakers and digital storytellers for a half-day of mentorship, hands-on learning and honest conversations with people working in the industry.

The program includes:

📷 A Nikon workshop with outdoor photographer Dakota Brown, including hands-on access to the new Nikon Z Cinema camera developed with RED and the latest NIKKOR Z lenses.

🎥 A behind-the-scenes Q&A with The Outsiders residency crew on state of marketing budgets in outdoor media—from pitching brands and building relationships to creating opportunities and finding work.

🎙️ An introduction to presenting on camera and directing talent for social content with Casey Fung, presenter and We Are Explorers contributor.

📍 Content Residency property, Central Otago - between Wānaka and Cromwell
📅 Saturday 22 August 2026
🎟️ 20 places available. Free to attend, but registration is essential.

Applications are now open and close this Sunday, 16 August (or earlier if capacity is reached). Click the link below to apply!

Talent Development Program — Wānaka 2026Powered by Nikon NZ Supported by Film Queenstown LakesSaturday 22 August 2026 | Central Otago (between Wānaka and Cromwell), Aotearoa / New ZealandAs part of the Outsiders’ SNOW Content Residency this August, this half-day Talent Development Program offe...

03/08/2026

🎥Launch your career in New Zealand’s screen industry!

Applications are now open for the next round of Kahurangi Toi Ātea (KTA) brought to you by The Screen Guild.

KTA is a professional development programme designed to help emerging crew get started in the industry.

Visit the link below for more details!
https://www.screenguild.co.nz/news/articles/launch-your-career-in-new-zealands-screen-industry?fbclid=IwY2xjawTc5OlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFVRUtEcWQ0emJqY0U5dDZGc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHsr2Mc-p6qGI1dF0lCiPrItODL4vzDUymESHm4e96Lqq1qigQH9drMQqeR2F_aem_2u7IkKw33LH0MVWEbouoNg

🎓 🎥 Launch your career in New Zealand’s screen industry!

Applications are now open for the next round of Kahurangi Toi Ātea (KTA), a professional development programme designed to help emerging crew get started in the industry.

More details via link below

27/07/2026

Invercargill Film Industry Networking Event

Come join us to catch up over a drink and nibbles on Thursday 06 August in Invercargill!

The Film Otago Southland Board and team will be holding our next Board Meeting in Invercargill and we’re keen to catch up with the local film community.

This will be a space to connect with our local filmmakers, crew and businesses. All are welcome! Your first drink is on us, and nibbles will also be provided.

➡️When: Thursday 06 August
➡️Time: 5:30pm to 7:30pm
➡️Where: Invercargill Club, 32 Don Street, Invercargill

Please RSVP by commenting, or messaging our socials, or email Nadia - [email protected] by Wednesday 05 August and include any dietary requirements.

Looking forward to catching up then!

26/07/2026

If you missed the online info session with 48Hours and the Regional film offices you can catch the recording here!

➡️Theres only 2 more days to register your team! Registrations close at 11:59pm on July 29th. Visit https://www.48hours.co.nz for more info and to register.

🎟️A reminder the Film Otago Southland 48hr registration reimbursement lottery closes at the same time! If you've already registered your team, and want to go into the draw to have your fees reimbursed, check out the link below for more details!

Link here for more details: https://forms.gle/2pu3bBfDQWNyQJe47

Best of luck to all the regional teams participating this weekend in the competition 🎥

Last night we hosted our Regional Film Offices of NZ x Vista Foundation 48Hours information session! We had an awesome time answering your questions, sharing tips and tricks, and supporting you as we prepare for the shoot weekend!

You can watch the full video on our Youtube channel here: https://youtu.be/RgISk7O2k00?si=9Pfn_dP6cMoRW0sy

24/07/2026

Weekend plans? How about a Q&A screening of Morgana O'Reilly's 'Stories about My Body' at Silky Otter in Queenstown on Sunday evening? Morgana will be joined by her director/producer/husband Peter Salmon, and there'll be an opportunity for audience questions, too!

More details and tickets below:

https://www.silkyotter.co.nz/films/Stories-About-My-Body-Q%26A/HO00000750?fbclid=IwY2xjawTP0NZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEezxaWo4H9MiJiQ2PNu3wEgUb54XS98pCph4vI550C_UVO9yP8VGqv-sXpk3Q_aem_Y8MOYBDyKilSCxqH49yL2w

Created and performed by Morgana O'Reilly (The White Lotus) and co-directed with her husband and real-life birth partner, 2025 BAFTA nominee Peter Salmon (After The Party), Stories About My Body blends nudity, heart-swelling honesty and real birth footage into a stand-up comedy special like no other...