Film Otago Southland

27/07/2026

Invercargill Film Industry Networking Event

Come join us to catch up over a drink and nibbles on Thursday 06 August in Invercargill!

The Film Otago Southland Board and team will be holding our next Board Meeting in Invercargill and we’re keen to catch up with the local film community.

This will be a space to connect with our local filmmakers, crew and businesses. All are welcome! Your first drink is on us, and nibbles will also be provided.

➡️When: Thursday 06 August
➡️Time: 5:30pm to 7:30pm
➡️Where: Invercargill Club, 32 Don Street, Invercargill

Please RSVP by commenting, or messaging our socials, or email Nadia - [email protected] by Wednesday 05 August and include any dietary requirements.

Looking forward to catching up then!

26/07/2026

If you missed the online info session with 48Hours and the Regional film offices you can catch the recording here!

➡️Theres only 2 more days to register your team! Registrations close at 11:59pm on July 29th. Visit https://www.48hours.co.nz for more info and to register.

🎟️A reminder the Film Otago Southland 48hr registration reimbursement lottery closes at the same time! If you've already registered your team, and want to go into the draw to have your fees reimbursed, check out the link below for more details!

Link here for more details: https://forms.gle/2pu3bBfDQWNyQJe47

Best of luck to all the regional teams participating this weekend in the competition 🎥

Last night we hosted our Regional Film Offices of NZ x Vista Foundation 48Hours information session! We had an awesome time answering your questions, sharing tips and tricks, and supporting you as we prepare for the shoot weekend!

You can watch the full video on our Youtube channel here: https://youtu.be/RgISk7O2k00?si=9Pfn_dP6cMoRW0sy

24/07/2026

Weekend plans? How about a Q&A screening of Morgana O'Reilly's 'Stories about My Body' at Silky Otter in Queenstown on Sunday evening? Morgana will be joined by her director/producer/husband Peter Salmon, and there'll be an opportunity for audience questions, too!

More details and tickets below:

https://www.silkyotter.co.nz/films/Stories-About-My-Body-Q%26A/HO00000750?fbclid=IwY2xjawTP0NZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEezxaWo4H9MiJiQ2PNu3wEgUb54XS98pCph4vI550C_UVO9yP8VGqv-sXpk3Q_aem_Y8MOYBDyKilSCxqH49yL2w

Created and performed by Morgana O'Reilly (The White Lotus) and co-directed with her husband and real-life birth partner, 2025 BAFTA nominee Peter Salmon (After The Party), Stories About My Body blends nudity, heart-swelling honesty and real birth footage into a stand-up comedy special like no other...

17/07/2026

We're excited and proud to have Netflix's first New Zealand commissioned series being filmed in (and named!) Queenstown.

Set in and around the ski industry, "Queenstown" will do more than just bring our local landscapes to the screen. The show is expected to generate $40 million in local economic impact and create 450 jobs for cast and crew being generated over a five month period, with the majority of them to be filled by Queenstown and New Zealand locals.

Read more here: https://deadline.com/2026/07/netflix-queenstown-rufus-sewell-frances-oconnor-show-cast-1236984382/

It's a collision of powder and power. Production is officially underway for Queenstown. Beneath the glamour of Queenstown's luxury ski scene, a privileged family and the people who work for them collide over power, loyalty and desire. Starring Rufus Sewell, Frances O'Connor, Alycia Debnam-Carey, and Te Kohe Tuhaka.

15/07/2026

Thinking about entering Vista Foundation 48Hours? Or ready to come back for another round?

Join Regional Film Offices of New Zealand (RFONZ) and Vista Foundation 48Hours for an online info session designed for emerging filmmakers, first-time teams and veterans all across Aotearoa.

The session will include how to prepare for the competition, what to do, what not to do, how to make your film stand out, and how this competition can open doors to bigger opportunities for your filmmaking career.

You’ll also have the chance to ask questions, connect with filmmakers in your region and get all the tips and tricks to make the most of your shoot weekend!

When: Wednesday 22nd July 7pm-8pm

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/bom-eymc-oms

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/vista-foundation-48hours-info-session-with-dean-thomas-tickets-1993578703568

Hosts: Two-time Grand National Champion and this year's Across Aotearoa Regional Manager Dean Hewison, and Regional Wellington Manager, producer and multi-time regional winner Thomas Coppell.

Join Regional Film Offices of New Zealand (RFONZ) and Vista Foundation 48Hours for an online info session!

13/07/2026

Native Stunts is running a one-day Intro to Stunts Workshop in Queenstown!

The workshop focuses on the fundamentals of screen combat and stunt performance, including:

● Screen fighting and choreography
● Reactions, hits, and sells
● Camera awareness and performance
● Safety and professionalism on set
● Working as a stunt performer in the film industry
● What productions and stunt coordinators look for when casting performers

Learn, grow, and have fun in a safe and supportive space.

📅 16 August 2026
🕰️ 9am – 3pm
📩For further details or to register email Thomas Kiwi at [email protected]

About Native Stunts
Founder Thomas Kiwi, is an international stunt performer and fight coordinator, who has worked in the film industry for over 30 years on productions including Heart of the Beast, Deep Water, Avatar, Mulan, Spartacus, The Meg, and many more.

Thomas has had the privilege of training some of the biggest actors, stunt performers, and also newcomers to the industry, helping them develop the skills needed to perform safely and confidently on camera.

09/07/2026

Little Cinema is back in Ōtepoti this Sunday afternoon with a fresh line up of films!

Join the Southern Filmmakers Collective from 3-5pm at Te Whare O Rukutia to celebrate local films on the big screen!

Tickets available via the link below:
https://events.humanitix.com/little-cinema-dunedin

Learn more about the Southern Filmmakers Collective https://www.southernfilmmakers.nz/

The Southern Filmmakers Collective presents a celebration of local grassroots filmmakers showcasing recent short films created by Otago and Southland creatives.

06/07/2026

LOCATION SPOTLIGHT // SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE PROVING GROUNDS

With winter well and truly settling across Otago and Southland, there's no better time to celebrate the spectacular snow covered landscapes that make our region so unique!

High on the Pisa Range between Wānaka and Queenstown, the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds offers a truly unique alpine setting. Each winter, the facility is transformed into a snowy testing ground, with kilometres of snow and ice covered roads surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery.

It is best known as a world leading winter testing facility for international vehicle manufacturers, however, SHPG also offers an incredible location for automotive commercials, product launches, branded content etc. Its private location and controlled environment make it ideal for productions requiring reliable winter conditions and uninterrupted access!

Find more locations in our Location Directory https://www.filmotagosouthland.com/loc.../location-directory or browse our list of experienced local location scouts in our Industry Directory - https://www.filmotagosouthland.com/.../industry-directory/

Photos taken by Cam Wood

24/06/2026

The trailer for KLARA AND THE SUN is here, and we can spot some familiar alpine scenery in there.

Written and directed by Academy-Award winner Taika Waititi and based on the best-selling novel by Kazuo Ishiguro, the upcoming sci-fi film shot scenes around Wānaka in 2024, as well as up in Auckland.

Check it out below.

Based on the bestselling novel from Nobel Prize-winner Kazuo Ishigu...

23/06/2026

Film Otago Southland is once again excited to support local filmmaking by reimbursing the applicable entry fee for one local team participating in this year’s Vista Foundation 48 Hours Film Competition on 31 July - 02 August!

**Early Bird registration close next week on July 1st, after that standard registration fees will apply**

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this is your chance to flex your creativity and be part of one of Aotearoa’s most iconic filmmaking event.

How it works:
🎟 Register and pay for your team for the 48 Hours competition via 48hours.co.nz/
🔖Then apply to go in the draw to have your entry fee reimbursed. One entry per team. Link here: https://forms.gle/27J8vLbu7ocy1d2V8
⏰ Applications close Wednesday 29 July, 11:59pm.
🤩 One team will be selected via lottery draw from eligible applicants

Applications are now open, apply here!
https://forms.gle/27J8vLbu7ocy1d2V8

A reminder that registered charities, community organisations, priority groups, school and tertiary teams are encouraged to join the 48 Hours film competition and are eligible for free / discounted registration, visit 48hours.co.nz/ for more info.

Application links can also be found on the Events & Workshops page at filmotagosouthland.com

Film Otago Southland is once again excited to support local filmmaking by reimbursing the applicable entry fee for one local team participating in this year’s Vista Foundation 48 Hours Film Competition on 31 July - 02 August!

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this is your chance to flex your creativity and be part of one of Aotearoa’s most iconic filmmaking event.

How it works:
🎟 Register and pay for your team for the 48 Hours competition via 48hours.co.nz/
🔖Then apply to go in the draw to have your entry fee reimbursed. One entry per team. Link here: https://forms.gle/27J8vLbu7ocy1d2V8
⏰ Applications close Wednesday 29 July, 11:59pm.
🤩 One team will be selected via lottery draw from eligible applicants

Applications are now open, apply here!
https://forms.gle/27J8vLbu7ocy1d2V8

A reminder that registered charities, community organisations, priority groups, school and tertiary teams are encouraged to join the 48 Hours film competition and are eligible for free / discounted registration, visit 48hours.co.nz/ for more info.

Application links can also be found on the Events & Workshops page at filmotagosouthland.com