Script to Screen, in partnership with Film Otago Southland, launches an exciting new development opportunity called Southern Pilots, for Otago and Southland based screen creators.

Script to Screen and Film Otago Southland are looking for new and emerging filmmakers with compelling, bold series story ideas suitable for development and viable for future production. Southern Pilots offers both talent and project development for three teams. The teams will have one-on-one advisor sessions and hear from industry speakers over a three-day development workshop, which aims to create outstanding pitch documents to present to potential producer partners and funders. 

Southern Pilots kaupapa is to help creatives from Otago and Southland generate IP for local and international audiences. This will, in turn, increase activity in both regions and foster a strong creative network of screen practitioners. 

Key Dates:

12 February: Applications open now
19 February: 5:30 pm application information webinar. Read FAQ’S Here
18 March: 1 pm applications close
21-23 June: 3-day workshop for selected teams

Eligibility:  

• All applicants / team members are NZ citizens or NZ Permanent Residents. 
• All applicants / team members have permanent residence in the Otago or Southland region (proof required). 
• Teams with scripted series suitable for any platform
• Teams have two or more members made up of writer, producer and director. However, the producer cannot also have the role of director. 
• Applicants can submit more than one project – each project is a new application. 
• Single team members can be part of different teams and in various roles but can only be part of one selected team. 

Selection:  

• Three independent, experienced screen creators will be engaged to select compelling, bold stories suitable for development.
• Selectors will be looking for teams who demonstrate the talent and determination required to create a series.
• This programme is for new and emerging filmmakers who can benefit from the development programme.
• Preference will be given to projects either set in Otago and/or Southland or will very likely be shot in Otago and/or Southland.

Script to Screen will manage the application and selection process and design and deliver the development workshop. We have a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy that informs our work. Southern Pilots uses the NZFC definition for new and emerging filmmakers.

Please contact the team at Script to Screen, for any further questions. info@script-to-screen.co.nz 

This development programme is possible thanks to funding from the New Zealand Film Commission.

“South Shorts has helped me with overcoming writers block and given me the confidence to present my ideas in a safe creative space. The connections I have made throughout the hubs are life changing and extremely valuable for my career moving forward. I would highly recommend these workshops to any filmmaker out there looking to develop their ideas and build connections with fellow likeminded creatives.”

  
– Kaitiaki Rodger, South Shorts 2023 Participant 

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Briar Grace-Smith is of Ngā Puhi descent and a writer of short fiction, stage plays and feature films. Her plays include Ngā Pou Wāhine, Purapurawhetū and When Sun and Moon Collide. She is an Arts Foundation Laureate and was recently made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to film, television and theatre. She has worked as a Development Executive for the New Zealand Film Commission and taught ‘Writing for Theatre’ at IIML (2015). Briar is a Sundance alumni and the writer of the feature films The Strength of Water and Fresh Meat. Her television credits include Fishskin Suit, Being Eve, Kaitangata Twitch and the Australian children’s television series, Grace Beside Me (2017). She was a director and co-writer of the short film, Nine of Hearts, and wrote and directed Charm for the feature project Waru (2017). She collaborated with Toi Whakaari, directing Krystal, a short film by Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu. She was the screenwriter and co-director of the feature film Cousins, and is a writer and co-director of Rūrangi, Series 2. Briar was made a member of the Directors branch of the Academy in 2022.

This programme is reliant on funding being achieved. Applicants will be informed of the funding outcome prior to the South Shorts submission deadline on the 25th of March. The South Shorts Mentorship Programme is made possible thanks to generous support from Foundation North.

 

Story Camp is made possible thanks to generous support from New Zealand Film Commission.

📸 Photo by Evie Mackay

Kōpere Hou reflects the colour, the radiance and beauty of a new rainbow and is symbolic of the significant display and presence of a well-crafted short film.

Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts offers a rare opportunity to get funding for your short film idea. You can apply with live-action, animation or documentary projects between 4 and 25 minutes. The programme was established to find talent with distinct voices and aims to nurture, challenge, and inspire the selected filmmakers through a development and mentoring process.

Six teams will be selected to receive up to $30,000 to facilitate the cost of making their short film. The teams behind each of these projects will attend a two-day development workshop in June 2024 and be matched with experienced industry practitioners to receive six weeks of mentoring as they get their project ‘shoot ready’.

There are two stages to the application process.

At Whiringa Tuatahi – Stage One you will need to have a writer, director and producer to submit  the following:

• Team Video Link (4 minutes max duration). Tell us what the heart of your story is and why you want to make this film.
• Genre (select 2 genres from the list supplied)
• Logline (35 words max)
• Script
• Director’s summary (300 words max)
• Director’s visual inspiration images (5 images, one page each, in a single PDF upload)
• Producer’s summary (300 words max)
• Tangata whenua, diversity, representation, and collaboration summary (if applicable) (300 words max)
• Short bio & filmography for each team member (bio 250 words max each)

Whiringa Tuatahi – Stage One is open now and will close at 1:00pm on Monday 6 November. Applications are made via the Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts Funding Portal.

A shortlist of 18 teams will be selected from the Stage One applications and invited to submit a Whiringa Tuatahi – Stage Two application in January 2024. From the shortlist, six projects will receive $30,000 grants. The teams behind each of these projects will attend a two-day development workshop held 8-9 June 2024 and will be matched with experienced mentors to get their project ‘shoot ready’. The focus is on the development of both people and stories.

Criteria and requirements for the assessment of both Whiringa Tuatahi – Stage One and Whiringa Tuatahi – Stage Two can be viewed on our website. If you have any questions, please contact Script to Screen: FreshShorts@script-to-screen.co.nz

KEY DATES

WHIRINGA TUATAHI – STAGE ONE
APPLICATIONS OPEN: NOW, Wednesday 27 September 2023 (Apply via Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts Portal)
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 1pm, Monday 6 November, 2023
ANNOUNCEMENT OF SHORTLISTED TEAMS: Early January

WHIRINGA TUARUA – STAGE TWO
APPLICATIONS OPEN: Monday 15 January 2024 
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 1pm, Monday 26 February 2024 
ANNOUNCEMENT OF FUNDED TEAMS: Late April 2024 
DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP DATES: 08-09 June 2024 
MENTORSHIPS: 10 June to 19 July 2024 (Six weeks) 

Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts is an NZFC initiative run in partnership with Script to Screen.

Photographer Xander Dixon. From Hey, Brainy Man directed by Jo Randerson & Loren Taylor 2023

“FilmUp has a very high reputation among its alumni but even my own expectations based on that reputation were exceeded again and again with every session and workshop. I wish, in earnest, that every filmmaker could experience the safe, nurturing and honest environment of trust and care that FilmUp creates and take advantage of the network it can help you build with your fellow filmmakers.”  

– Rajneel Singh,
FilmUp 2022/23 participant (mentor Nicole Dade) 

The FilmUp Mentorship programme returns to support and empower up to eight tenacious and talented filmmakers to reach the next stage in their creative careers. If you are writer, director or producer developing a feature film or documentary, this programme could be just what you need to progress your work to the next stage. 

A mentor for each filmmaker forms the cornerstone of the programme, along with six FilmUp Hub days when the participants come together for group work.  

Applicants must have a feature project in development, narrative or documentary, and be able to demonstrate that their project and career are at the right stage for mentorship. 

Successful applicants will take part in 20 hours of mentorship with an experienced film practitioner and three 2-day FilmUp hubs held between February 2024 and July 2024. These hubs are tailored to meet the needs of the selected filmmakers and include workshops, peer discussions and round tables with industry leaders. 

Participants are the driving force of a successful mentorship as they take hold of their own learning and development. This autonomy is fostered from the start of the programme when participants are actively involved in the selection of their mentor. Throughout the programme there is wrap-around support from Script to Screen. 

Since its inception in 2013, FilmUp has gone from strength to strength, with a growing alumni of talented local filmmakers who have benefitted from the programme including Briar March (Dame Valerie Adams: MORE THAN GOLD, Mothers of the Revolution, ), Chelsea Winstanley ( Ka Po, Night Raiders, Jojo Rabbit,), Desray Armstrong (Earthlings, Bad Behaviour, Coming Home in the Dark), Florian Habicht (James & Isey, Spookers, Love Story), Gaysorn Thavat (The Justice of Bunny King), Jake Mahaffy (Reunion, Free in Deed), Nic Gorman (Human Traces), Paula Whetu-Jones (Whina), Sophie Henderson (Baby Done, Fantail) and Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa (Mama’s Music Box, Take Home Pay, Three Wise Cousins). You can read about past participants and an impressive list of mentors from the last 10 years who have helped these filmmakers take a step up in their careers here. 

The FilmUp Mentorship programme is for individual filmmakers (not pairs or teams) who are working on a feature film. You must be a NZ citizen or permanent resident to apply.  

Here’s what’s required for the application: 

• A one-paragraph industry-related biography; 
• Information on the feature project you will work on during the mentorship (including a one-page synopsis of 500 – 1000 words, stage of project, your role on the project and any key collaborators you might have attached); 
• A brief description of what stage you are at in the process, and what the next steps/hurdles are. 

• A list of other projects (feature film or documentary only) you have in development (if applicable); 
• A paragraph about why mentorship would be beneficial to you at this stage of your career, and what you would like to get out of the programme; 
• Up to two links to selected previous work (It is not necessary to include everything. Put your best foot forward). 

APPLICATIONS OPENED: Mon 4 September 2023

APPLICATIONS CLOSED: Mon 9 October 2023 1:00 pm 

We will know the outcome of our funding before FilmUp applications close on 9 Oct and we will keep applicants informed of the outcome.

You can read our Top Tips to make your FilmUp application shine while crafting your application.

FilmUp is made possible thanks to financial support from the New Zealand Film Commission. FilmUp is reliant on funding being achieved in 2023.

Script to Screen, in collaboration with Te Puna Matarau, is delighted to open this new initiative, developed especially for screen creatives in Waitaha Canterbury wanting to advance their careers.

We are seeking applications from originators of feature films, TV series, and narrative driven video games. The programme is suitable for emerging and mid-career practitioners. To be eligible, applicants must have a strong connection with the Waitaha Canterbury region and have a project viable for production.

Four projects will be selected, and their originators will attend three one-day workshops held July to September 2023. Creative teams will receive personalised advice to develop their project and hear from experienced industry practitioners chosen to meet the needs of the teams.

The purpose of this programme is to support the development of IP in the region and support creators to get their work closer to funding and production. Participants will increase their contacts in the industry and connect with other creators.
Te Puna Matarau is a new organisation formed by and for Waitaha Canterbury screen practitioners.

Applications open: 15 March
Applications close: 1pm, 19 April
Workshop dates:  1 July, 12 August, and 9 September 2023

Note:  All workshop expenses are covered other than the participants getting to the workshop venue in Christchurch.

Series Bootcamp returns in 2023.

This development programme has been created to nurture and support emerging to mid-career filmmakers developing a series concept. We’re looking for teams who can present a unique and interesting story, and convince us that their idea is viable for production. Six teams (writers and producers) with outstanding concepts and evidence of talent will be selected for Series Bootcamp 2023.

The development process will run over two months, during which time the participants will be guided to hone their pitch document and the pilot episode, culminating in a pitching day in June.
STAGE ONE (4-5 May): Teams attend an intensive two-day story workshop with advisor sessions and guest speakers. Teams then have three weeks to further develop their projects.
STAGE TWO (26 May): Pitch deck and scripts are re-submitted by the teams in advance of an online session with a script developer who will give feedback on the quality, originality and viability of their developed concept and pilot episode. Teams use the feedback to work on their concept and pilot episode leading up to the pitching day.
STAGE THREE (26 June): Teams attend pitching day to hear from guest speakers and pitch to industry professionals.

Teams attending Series Bootcamp will come away with a refined series concept, a pilot episode and experience pitching their idea. Participants will have a deepened understanding of how to develop, write and pitch a series.

Participants who live outside of Auckland will have their travel and accommodation paid for.

We encourage undiscovered voices to apply.

APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW: 23 January
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 11:59pm, 27 February*
DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP: 4 – 5 May
RESUBMISSION DATE AHEAD OF ONLINE DEVELOPMENT SESSIONS: 26 May
ONLINE SESSIONS: Between 8 – 20 June
PITCH DAY: 26 June

*Those affected by extreme weather events who are unable to meet the deadline, can request an extension. Fill out the form below or call us on 09 3605400.

Series Bootcamp is made possible thanks to funding from NZ on Air.

“South Shorts has given me the opportunity to connect not only with industry experts but also with other South Auckland storytellers, whose feedback and knowledge have been invaluable in the development of my writing. It has given me the confidence (and the audacity) to develop my first short film, in a time when we need and deserve more South Auckland, Māori and Pasifika stories.”

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To apply you will need to submit:

• Short Biography (300-word limit)
• Why would this programme be valuable to you (300-word limit)
• Synopsis of your short film idea (600-word limit)
• Script or written document for your short film idea (optional)

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The South Shorts Mentorship Programme is made possible thanks to generous support from Foundation North.

Delivery of Story Camp is contingent on continued funding from New Zealand Film Commission.