Frenzied screaming aside, fans can bring an unexpected energy to your project, promoting it to their peers in ways that you never imagined. They can power up your project by funding it, sharing it, showing up for it and keeping it in the conversation.

Fans have created ‘Always blow on the pie’ t-shirts, Kiri & Lou birthday cakes, and wooden kitset figures of Jacinda and Ashley’s 1pm daily briefings. Embrace them and mobilise them, just as Wellington Paranormal did with Covid Safety messages, Hunt for the Wilderpeople did with Instagram stickers, and Tākaro Tribe did with talking dolls, and you will reap the benefits.

These local productions engage fans to grow and cultivate a loyal audience and we want you to join their ranks. Find out what you can do, not just after release but during development and at all stages of production to feed the fans.

In this TALK, globally recognised speaker on fans and online communities Sacha Judd and Gemma Gracewood editor-in-chief at Letterboxd will go through some case studies to show the power of fans. They will discuss fans, merchandise, cosplay, conventions, and the delightful power of letting your audience help chart your project’s course—all the way to a sequel, a franchise, a spin-off and beyond.


Thurs 17 June 2021
6:30pm – 7:30pm – TALK
7:30 – 8:30pm – Cash bar, socialising, networking and pizza
TAPAC, 100 Motions Rd, Western Springs, Auckland

After the TALK, stay and have pizza on Script to Screen, there will be a cash bar and socialising with fellow filmmakers.

$5.75 (incl. GST) for sales via EventBrite to secure your seat.
$5 cash at the door.

Book your ticket in advance to secure your seat. When you book your ticket via Eventbrite, there’ll be an opportunity for you to guide the discussion by submitting a question ahead of time.


ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

SACHA JUDD
Sacha runs the Hoku Group, a family office combining private investments, early-stage tech ventures and a non-profit foundation. She was a founder of Refactor (a series of events around diversity in technology), and Flounders’ Club (a network for early-stage company founders). She speaks at conferences and in-house events on diversity & inclusion in the tech sector, fandom and online communities, and how fans will transform the world.

GEMMA GRACEWOOD
Gemma Gracewood (she/her) is the Editor-in-Chief of Letterboxd, the social network for film lovers. A producer, writer and director with a strong background in publicity and audience strategy, Gemma’s production credits encompass film, television and online series—with a bent towards arts, music and comedy. Gemma has also toured the world in (and managed) the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra, been a press secretary with the Labour Government, and is Deputy Chair of the NZ Comedy Trust.

This TALK is presented in association with the Aotearoa Screen Publicists Collective.

Script to Screen TALKS are made possible thanks to generous support from New Zealand Film CommissionFoundation North and White Studios. A special thanks to our venue sponsor TAPAC.
           

What happens when the process for taking your film to market, securing international sales, attending festivals and ensuring an audience sees your film is disrupted by a pandemic?

Join us to hear from New Zealand feature film producers about how they navigated the new online world of markets and sales for their recent films. They will discuss how they dealt with disruptions to cinematic releases both here and abroad, the unexpected opportunities that arose along the way, and what they think will be helpful for you to know while the world adapts to this pandemic and a new normal.

In Auckland, Alex Behse (co-producer of There’s No I in Threesome), Alex Reed (co-producer of There’s No I in Threesome and The Girl on the Bridge) and Emma Slade (producer of The Justice of Bunny King, Nude Tuesday) will chat to Philippa Campbell about taking their films to the international market and the release of their films during covid. There is No I in Threesome was acquired by WarnerMedia and had its world premiere on HBO Max. A theatrical release in Australia and New Zealand is planned for later this year. The Girl on the Bridge premiered at Whānau Marama (NZIFF) and screened at Cannes Docs – Marché du Film online. The Justice of Bunny King and Nude Tuesday are yet to be released. 

If you’re developing or producing a feature film don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into this evolving process.

Book your ticket in advance to secure your seat. When you book your ticket via Eventbrite, there’ll be an opportunity for you to guide the discussion by submitting a question ahead of time.


Auckland
Wed 5 May 2021
6:30pm – 7:30pm – TALK
7:30 – 8:30pm – Cash bar, socialising, networking and pizza
TAPAC Theatre, 100 Motions Road, Western Springs, Auckland

After the TALK, stay and have pizza on Script to Screen, there will be a cash bar and socialising with fellow filmmakers.

$5.75 (incl. GST) for sales via EventBrite to secure your seat.
$5 cash at the door.


Script to Screen TALKS are made possible thanks to generous support from New Zealand Film CommissionFoundation North and White Studios. A special thanks to our venue sponsor TAPAC.

What happens when the process for taking your film to market, securing international sales, attending festivals and ensuring an audience sees your film is disrupted by a pandemic?

Join us to hear from New Zealand feature film producers about how they navigated the new online world of markets and sales for their recent films. They will discuss how they dealt with disruptions to cinematic releases both here and abroad, the unexpected opportunities that arose along the way, and what they think will be helpful for you to know while the world adapts to this pandemic and a new normal.

Georgina Conder (co-producer of Cousins) and Vicky Pope (producer of Savage) will talk to entertainment lawyer Sarah Cull about their experiences taking Cousins and Savage to audiences in a world seriously impacted by Covid-19. Both films are now in the Top 20 Films at the NZ Box Office having earned more than $1million during their theatrical runs.

If you’re developing or producing a feature film don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into this evolving process.

Book your ticket in advance to secure your seat. When you book your ticket via Eventbrite, there’ll be an opportunity for you to guide the discussion by submitting a question ahead of time.


Wed 19 May 2021
6:30pm – 7:30pm – TALK
7:30 – 8:30pm – Cash Bar, Socialising/Networking and Pizza

Te Auaha, Tapare Iti, Level 1, 65 Dixon St, Te Aro, Wellington

After the TALK, stay and have pizza on Script to Screen, there will be a cash bar and socialising with fellow filmmakers.

$5.75 (incl. GST) for sales via EventBrite to secure your seat.

$5 cash at the door.


Script to Screen TALKS are made possible thanks to generous support from New Zealand Film Commission, a special thanks to our venue sponsors, Te Auaha.

Got a script in development?
Have you thought about your audience?

Join us at this Script to Screen TALK and find out what local distributors consider before they take on a film for distribution.

Having a strong script and a great filmmaking team is not enough. Unlocking NZFC production funding depends on a letter of offer from a local distributor as part of your audience engagement plan.

Come along to hear from Mark Chamberlain at Transmission, Andrew Cozens at Madman, Nigel Forsyth at Studio Canal and Kevin Gordon at Rialto Distribution.

Entertainment lawyer, Sarah Cull will talk to the panelists about what they look for when selecting projects and at what stage of development they like to get on board. An audience Q&A will follow.

If you are developing a feature film project this event is not to be missed. Last time we held a TALK with New Zealand distributors it was a full house, avoid disappointment by getting your ticket early.

Wednesday 3 July
6:15pm -7:15pm – TALK
Te Auaha, 65 Dixon St, Te Aro, Wellington

After the TALK, stay and have pizza on Script to Screen, there will be a cash bar and socialising with fellow filmmakers.

$5.75 (incl. GST) for pre-sales.
$5 cash at the door if the theatre is not already fully booked from pre-sales.

This StS TALK is made possible thanks to the support of the New Zealand Film Commission. Thanks to the New Zealand Film Commission and the New Zealand Film and Television School for the venue.

6pm Thursday 12 April
Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland

LIMITED SEATS – MUST RSVP

Following a full house in Wellington, Script to Screen brings Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa’s Talk to his home town.

In 2016 Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa (aka S.Q.S.), released THREE WISE COUSINS which took just under $1million at the NZ Box Office and went on to a successful Australian, USA and Pacific release. Passionate about telling NZ Pasifika stories, in January this year he released his second feature film HIBISCUS & RUTHLESS.

Join Stallone as he talks about the process of making his two self-funded films and the uphill battle of self-distribution. Stallone examines his journey as a first time filmmaker, what he learned along the way, what he would do differently, and his decision to stick to the self-funded route a second time – for better or for worse.

After the Talk, stay and have pizza on Script to Screen.

6 – 7pm: Talk
7 – 8pm: Cash bar & socialising with fellow filmmakers

$5 Koha for those who can afford it

Reserve you seat here

Thank you to Auckland Council for their on going support.

If you have a feature film you want to package and finance in 2018, don’t end the year without hearing about developments at international film markets in 2017.

The New Zealand Film Commission assists producers to travel to key international markets where they can advance the packaging and financing of their film projects.  Producers who were the recipients of the NZFC PITA Fund have generously agreed to share the knowledge they gained at market.

Join this discussion about global film packaging and financing trends.

AUCKLAND
Monday 4 December at 4.00 – 5.30pm
Studio One, 1 Ponsonby Road, Grey Lynn
RSVP

WELLINGTON
Wednesday 13 December at 4.00 – 5.30pm
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, 84 Taranaki Street, Te Aro
RSVP

Got a script in development?
Have you thought about your audience?

Join us at this Script to Screen Talk and find out what local distributors consider before they take on a project for distribution.

Having a strong script and a great filmmaking team is not enough. Most often, unlocking NZFC production funding depends on a commitment from a local distributor.

Come along to hear from Tony Bald at Paramount Pictures, Andrew Cozens at Madman, Nigel Forsyth at Studio Canal and Kelly Rogers at Rialto Distribution.

Moderator Emma Slade talks to the panelists about what they look for and why, including genre and story elements, team, and at what stage of development they like to get on board.

Be you a writer, director or a producer, if you are developing a feature film project this event is not to be missed!

Thursday 9 November at the Basement Theatre.
Doors open at 5pm. Talk starts at 6:15pm – 7:15pm.
$5 suggested koha. Stay afterwards for pizza on us!

With the sheer number of films in the global market, what does it take to get your projects recognised on the international stage?

Fresh from Sundance, SXSW, Cannes’ Marché du Film and Berlin’s EFM, producers Robin ScholesAnt Timpson and Alexander Behse come to together for a special market debrief chaired by producer Christina Milligan.

Don’t miss this chance to hear from those with years of market experience as they shed light on what distributors, sales agents, and other potential partners are looking for, what is capturing their attention right now, and why.

Tuesday 23rd August, 7pm drinks, 7:30-8:30 talk, The Classic, 321 Queen Street, $5 koha appreciated. 

Make sure to stick around afterwards for a slice of pizza on us!

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Are you a filmmaker with aspirations to cut through the clutter in the global marketplace?

WIFT NZ and Script to Screen present a special discussion with Matt Baker (Director of Acquisitions at HanWay Films), Carole Sheridan (producer, founder of Singer Films, and former Exec. Producer Scottish Screen) and Joe Oppenheimer (Commissioning Editor at BBC Films). Join us to hear from these esteemed internationals as they talk to NZ producer and lecturer in screen (AUT) Christina Milligan about the films that are capturing their attention right now, and why.

Don’t miss this chance to learn from those with decades of market experience as they shed light on what distributors, sales agents, potential international partners and audiences are looking for in the current landscape.

Thurs 27 Nov, drinks 6pm, event 6:30-7:30pm, The Loft, Q Theatre, 305 Queen Street, $5 koha appreciated.

Matt Baker, Carole Sheridan and Joe Oppenheimer are here for WIFT‘s Finance and Co-Production Summit.

This event is brought to you with financial support from the NZ Film Commission.

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