Dale Husband
Annie Murray | CEO of the New Zealand Film Commission
Role Funding: pijf-0044
The past year has been one of resilience, recalibration and renewed ambition for Aotearoa’s screen sector, with the New Zealand Film Commission playing a central role in stabilising the industry while setting a forward-looking course for growth.
After a period marked by global disruption, production slowdowns and funding pressures, the Commission has focused on rebuilding momentum across development, production and talent pathways. Industry leaders say the emphasis has been on keeping crews working, supporting storytellers, and ensuring New Zealand remains an attractive place to make films and screen content.
A key priority has been strengthening support for local storytelling. Investment in development and production has aimed to ensure New Zealand stories continue to reach audiences at home and internationally, while also nurturing new voices. Māori and Pasifika creators, in particular, remain a focus, reflecting long-standing commitments to diversity, cultural authenticity and mana motuhake in storytelling.
The Commission has also continued to balance support for domestic projects with the economic benefits of international productions. Offshore film and television work brings jobs, skills transfer and regional economic activity, and the Film Commission’s role in promoting New Zealand as a screen destination remains critical in a competitive global market.
Alongside production funding, workforce sustainability has been a growing concern. Skills shortages, cost pressures and the need to support crew wellbeing have shaped conversations across the sector. The Commission has been working with industry partners to support training, career pathways and long-term workforce resilience.
Looking ahead, ambition is a recurring theme. The Film Commission has signalled a desire to future-proof the sector by embracing new technologies, expanding international partnerships, and supporting content that can compete on the global stage while remaining rooted in local identity.
For Māori communities, the future of film is not only about economic opportunity but about representation and narrative sovereignty. Māori filmmakers and advocates continue to call for sustained investment in kaupapa Māori storytelling, ensuring that stories are told by Māori, for Māori, and shared with the world on their own terms.
As the screen sector moves into the next year, the message from the New Zealand Film Commission is one of cautious optimism. The challenges are real, but so too is the potential. With continued investment, collaboration and a clear vision, Aotearoa’s film industry is positioning itself not just to recover, but to thrive.