Screen Canterbury NZ

14/08/2025

Get behind this very special event! The launch of the fundraising campaign for locally produced short film ‘A Son’s Return Home’.

Set just after WW1 when a young man named George arrives at the farmhouse of a family whose son was killed at Passchendaele. Each family member has been dealing with the devastating loss in their own way but George’s arrival stirs up intense emotions, forcing the family to confront their feelings or risk being torn apart.

Local talent ready to make it happen:
🤩Actors Tom Trevella, Susannah Kenton, Will Alexander, and Lily Saunders
✍🏼Written by Janine Sowerby
➡️Director by Kim Georgine
🎬Producing team - Kim, Janine, and Top Dog’s Derek Doddington with Lumiere’s own Elise Harris Associate Producing
🎥 Director of Photography - Julian Vares

Be greeted by the ANZAC Mounts Equine Rehab Unit! 🐎
Two horses and their riders will be decked out in all original WW1 regalia, ready for a pat or two and some great photo - and selfie - opportunities 🤳🏼

Included in your ticket is a drink on arrival with some nibbles in the Bijou Bar, followed by a special presentation, and a screening of the classic WW1 film ‘La Grand Illusion’ in the Bernhardt Cinema.

🎟️ $50 🎟️ Get them before they’re gone! 💨

https://www.lumierecinemas.co.nz/movie/la-grande-illusion

OR contact Kim Georgine for more information:
[email protected]
0211870609

07/08/2025

🎬 Congratulations to our 48Hours Scholarship Recipients! 🎉

Screen CanterburyNZ and Te Puna Matarau - Canterbury Screen Industry Association are stoked to confirm scholarships for two incredible Ōtautahi teams taking on the legendary 48Hours!

⭐ Hermes Heroes – Led by the wildly creative duo Rata Jamieson and Buddy Booth, this team made 48Hours history last year with the competition’s first-ever 3D film (plus 300 custom glasses!). This year, they’re back with their signature energy, mixed media magic, and an even bolder vision.

⭐ The Best (Not) Boys – A fresh, non-male team fueled by friendship, snacks, and the pure joy of chaotic filmmaking. Half are first-timers, all are all-in. Expect bold ideas, sleep-deprived brilliance, and total commitment to the craft (and carbs).

We can’t wait to see what these two teams dream up in just 48 hours. The countdown is on – let the creativity (and caffeine) flow!

Find out more about the 48Hours Film Festival
https://www.48hours.co.nz/

01/08/2025

SCHOLARSHIP DATE EXTENDED!

With our friends at Te Puna Matarau - Canterbury Screen Industry Association, we are excited to offer TWO sponsorships for the upcoming 48Hours Film Festival! 🎥

There's nothing quite like this intensive creative weekend! 💥

The Vista Foundation 48Hours is NZ's largest guerrilla filmmaking competition happening Friday 15 August - Sunday 17 August. Over 10,000 short films have been produced in the 48Hours competition over the 22 years it has run.

🎬 HOW TO ENTER 🎬
Submit your team name and members along with 200 words on why you want to do the festival challenge.
Send to [email protected] by 9pm this Sunday 3 August 2025.

✅ ELIGIBILITY ✅
- Must be available and present on 15-17 August
- The film must be produced as part of the 48Hours Film Festival competition in Waitaha Canterbury
- At least one person in the team needs to be Canterbury-based
- By submitting, teams agree to provide ScreenCanterburyNZ video content captured on the day for use on ChristchurchNZ and Screen CanterburyNZ organic and paid channels for future events and regional promotion

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!

Applications close: SUNDAY 3 AUGUST 9pm

Decision by: Friday 8 August 2025 — so if you miss out, there will still be plenty of time to register by the closing date — Wednesday 13 August 2025.

Find out more about the 48Hours Film Festival 👇🏼https://www.48hours.co.nz/

Please note: The scholarship covers entry into the 2025 48Hours film competition only. Teams cover all their own costs to make their film.

28/07/2025

Round 2 of the 2024-2026 Screen Production Grant is open for applications.

The fund will accept applications for scripted and factual content, including film, television, web series, and video on demand.

Applications close: 15 August 2025
Decision by: 12 September 2025

Need to know more? Email [email protected]

17/07/2025

Inspiring. Honest. Emotive.

Storytelling at it's finest👌🏼

From one of the harshest places on earth, to the comfort of the cinema - Mighty Indeed screened at Christchurch's Doc Edge opening night - and what a way to kick off a festival!🎬

To top it off, we were lucky have Vanessa Wells and the three remarkable wāhine scientists who feature in the doco - Natalie Robinson, Jacqui Stuart and veteran sea ice physicist Professor Pat Langhorne - take part in a Q&A.

A fantastic night, indeed!

Gateway to Antarctica: Ōtautahi Christchurch

11/07/2025

🎮 Big moves in Ōtautahi Christchurch’s game development scene!

Award-winning indie studio Black Salt Games, the team behind the globally successful DREDGE, has announced the launch of a second studio: Disc 2 Games — with both teams now working on new, original titles right here in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

⭐This is a huge moment for our region’s screen and gaming sector ⭐

Not only does it signal the continued rise of world-class game development in Waitaha Canterbury, but it’s also a testament to the creative talent, collaborative spirit, and ambitious vision found across our growing industry.

👏 Congratulations to Nadia Thorne, Joel Mason, and the whole team at Black Salt Games and Disc 2 Games. We can’t wait to see what’s next.

03/07/2025

Last night at the Doc Edge Awards - Mighty Indeed was awarded Best New Zealand Feature and Best Director Vanessa Wells🤩

Twenty-four awards were announced to honour and celebrate the superb documentaries and filmmakers, from both New Zealand and internationally, participating in this year’s programme. Doc Edge is an Academy Awards qualifying festival for feature and short documentary films 🎥

Evienne Jones showing students are creating incredible content too - Best Tertiary Film was awarded to Ally, directed by Jones from the University of Canterbury 🙌🏼 Ally is a doco about the impact of the Homosexual Law Reform bill in the 1980s.

Devils on Horses, produced by Christchurch-based Terry Kingi and filmed in Canterbury last year, also recieved a Special Mention!

Congratulations to all cast and crew!

Proving that world-class, globally significant content can be made right here in Ōtautahi Christchurch 🌠

Read more 👉🏼https://docedge.nz/awards-2025-mighty-indeed-and-the-pool-take-top-honours-and-oscar-consideration/

13/06/2025

🎬 Experience Doc Edge in Ōtautahi Christchurch – on us!

Screen CanterburyNZ is proud to support Doc Edge, Aotearoa’s premier international documentary festival — and we’re giving a limited number of complimentary passes to those who’d love to be part of it.

This is your chance to be inspired by powerful storytelling, world-class filmmaking, and thought-provoking ideas — all showcased right here in our Ōtautahi from 16 to 27 July.

Want to apply for a complimentary pass?
✔️ Follow Screen CanterburyNZ
❤️ Like this post
📧 Email your full name to [email protected]
🕙 Entries close 10am, Friday 20 June

See the full line-up of the 78 films available at Doc Edge: https://docedge.nz/

Doc Edge Festival 2025 celebrates a significant milestone - the 20th Anniversary. 25 Jun – 13 Jul TĀMAKI MAKAURAU AUCKLAND 16 Jul – 27 Jul PŌNEKE WELLINGTON &a

05/06/2025

Doc Edge Festival is coming back to Ōtautahi Christchurch from the 16th – 27th July 2025 🎥

This year Doc Edge is celebrating 20 Years of documentary excellence. As an Oscar®-Qualifying Festival, Doc Edge is a global platform for bold and impactful storytelling with a diverse line up of films. Full programme and tickets are now available with 78 films and 12 immersive projects on offer! 🤩

Buy tickets now!

Doc Edge Festival 2025 celebrates a significant milestone - the 20th Anniversary. 78 films, 12 immersive projects, 4 days of industry events, and an Oscar-quali

21/05/2025

🎬 New Season, Fresh Perspectives: Stories from the South Returns! 🌿

At Screen CanterburyNZ, we champion storytelling that captures the heart and grit of our region — and few do it better than Frank Film. Their celebrated docuseries, Stories from the South, is back for Season 3, and it’s more powerful than ever.

Filmed right here in Waitaha Canterbury, this series shines a light on the people, places, and issues that shape our southern identity. From the bold to the understated, each short documentary is a window into the lives of New Zealanders living and working in the South — stories that deserve to be seen, shared, and celebrated.

Frank Film’s work is a testament to what’s possible when passionate storytellers have the platform to dig deep into real experiences.

📺 Watch Season 3 now: https://shorturl.at/XwtNi