NZ Film Commission Ministerial Review: Terms of Reference

Terms of Reference for the Government review of the New Zealand Film Commission

Purpose: To examine and identify what is needed to enable the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) to work in the most effective way possible as New Zealand’s film funding agency in a rapidly changing environment and taking account of wider policy and economic imperatives, including fiscal sustainability.

This will include, but is not be limited to, the following topics:

1.        What are the challenges facing the NZFC in a rapidly changing domestic and international film industry context? This will include looking at technological changes, and the development, financing, production, marketing and distribution challenges that the New Zealand industry faces in an international setting.

2.        How can the NZFC most effectively act in a facilitative role to enable the industry to develop and produce high quality film projects that meet New Zealand cultural content objectives and reach a domestic and international audience?

3.        What impact has the introduction of the Large Budget Screen Production Grant Scheme and the Screen Production Incentive Fund had on the public funding environment and the role of the NZFC? What is the role of the NZFC in helping New Zealand production companies take advantage of these new incentives?

4.        What is the NZFC’s role in providing assistance to ensure that New Zealand films reach an international market? Are there tensions between the NZFC’s own interests and the interests of filmmakers and third party investors in marketing and selling New Zealand films domestically and internationally?

5.        Are there changes to the NZFC’s role that are called for given the challenges facing the New Zealand film industry and the NZFC in the international environment?

6.        What are the NZFC’s objectives and strategy for professional development, training and industry support? Examine these in the light of the international and domestic environment and best practice.

7.        Examine the NZFC’s current approach to providing information and research and whether any changes should be made in this area to meet the needs of filmmakers and audiences.

8.        Examine the relationship between the NZFC, private investors, filmmakers and the international industry with a particular focus on roles in raising finance, developing, producing and marketing New Zealand films. Are there areas where greater collaboration would be desirable and if so how might this be achieved?

9.        Are the NZFC’s structural, governance and management arrangements effective and similar to those of relevant national film bodies in other countries? How can the NZFC improve organisational/operational capability and value for money.

10.     How can the NZFC be responsive to the needs of New Zealand filmmakers to ensure that active industry professionals are involved in setting its strategic direction?

11.     Are the NZFC’s strategic aims and objectives relevant to the current international and domestic environment and do they take account of the need to manage future funding demands?

The Terms of Reference are on the Ministry for Culture and Heritage’s website: www.mch.govt.nz/projects/culture/nzfc-review.html

Comment is invited from interested parties by 31 July 2009.  Please send your written comments to Film Review, Ministry for Culture and Heritage, P O Box 5364, Wellington or email to nzfcreview@mch.govt.nz.