Film Otago Southland

12/06/2026

Did you know that the New Zealand Mountain Film Festival programme also includes free talks about adventure documentary filmmaking, AND that filmmakers get seating preference at these sessions?

Taking place on Sunday 21 June in Wanaka, award-winning documentary filmmaker Sébastien Montaz-Rosset will be hosting two talks: Shooting in the Wild and Sound, Storytelling & Making It Work in the Field. An awesome opportunity for anyone working in, or wanting to work in, the outdoor & adventure filmmaking world.

Check out the full programme and details here:

View the New Zealand Mountain Film & Book Festival Programme Timetable online, including film festivals, workshops, book festivals and free shows.

02/06/2026

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!

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

29/05/2026

The Te Muka Toi, Te Muka Tākata Creative and Culture Hui
is back in June for a second year, presenting a fantastic programme of events for creative and arts professionals across Queenstown & Wānaka.

The full programme is available below. From creative networking breakfasts to Little Cinema screenings, school sessions about creative careers to funding and business workshops, it's sure to be an inspiring and enlightening few days. See you there!

This June, creatives, cultural leaders, businesses and community groups from across the motu are invited to attend a new four-day creative and cultural hui taking place in Queenstown and Wānaka.

28/05/2026

There is still time to make a submission to Stage Three of the Southern Documentary Accelerator with Short Film Otago - lock in over the long weekend and don't miss out!

📍 Info + applications:
https://www.sfo.nz/documentary

⏰ Deadline:
5pm Monday 1 June 2026

🎬 OPEN NOW! 🎬
There is still time to make a submission to Stage Three of the Southern Documentary Accelerator - lock in over the long weekend and don't miss out!
📍 Info + applications:
https://www.sfo.nz/documentary
⏰ Deadline:
5pm Monday 1 June 2026

27/05/2026

Caterpillar - The Film is an intimate, heartfelt and deeply relatable film, capturing the love, tension and connection that binds us together across time.

Set in Wellington, CATERPILLAR is a tender New Zealand drama following three generations of women as they navigate family, care and the shifting roles between mothers and daughters.

The film it's produced by locally based producer Andrew Marshall and written/directed by Chelsie Preston Crayford who stars in local series A REMARKABLE PLACE TO DIE.

You can watch CATERPILLAR in our local cinemas across the region including Cinema Paradiso Wānaka, Dorthy Browns & Silky Otter Queenstown, Rialto Dunedin and The Riviera Cinema Oamaru.

Visit www.madman.co.nz/caterpillar/ to view session times at your local cinema.

https://youtu.be/YhzyWBFBSBI?si=ruR2cwNfsVqawkrj

A debut feature film from Chelsie Preston Crayford.Set in a run-down Wellington villa in 2003, Caterpillar follows three women living separate lives under on...

22/05/2026

Film Otago Southland is proud to support two local filmmakers with travel grants valued at $500 to help two regional screen industry professionals attend the Doc Edge Industry event.

In order to be eligible for this grant, you must permanently reside in either Otago or Southland, and be able to commit to attending the industry days taking place in Auckland on 29 and 01 July 2026. Further eligibility criteria applies.

View the link below for further information and to apply:
https://forms.gle/BCVguczJGTgsEqkY6

Applications close Friday 29 May, 5pm

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

20/05/2026

LOCATION SPOTLIGHT // Tunnel Beach, Dunedin

Just a short drive from central Dunedin lies Tunnel Beach, a dramatic coastal gem carved into sandstone cliffs. A hand-built tunnel leads down to a secluded cove surrounded by rugged rock arches, caves, and cliffs, creating a naturally theatrical setting that feels both remote and cinematic.

This location offers unmatched visual texture for filmmakers, from sunsets over the ocean to moody, introspective close-ups set against the eroded cliffs and shifting tides. Tunnel Beach is ideal for beautiful establishing shots, music videos, or poetic narrative scenes where nature takes centre stage.

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

Photos taken by Phil Turner

11/05/2026

🎬 OPEN NOW! 🎬
Stage Three of the Southern Documentary Accelerator from Short Film Otago is officially open.

For further information and to apply visit: https://www.sfo.nz/documentary

Application Deadline: 5pm Monday 1 June 2026

🎬 OPEN NOW! 🎬
Stage Three of the Southern Documentary Accelerator is officially open.
📍 Info + applications:
https://www.sfo.nz/documentary
⏰ Deadline:
5pm Monday 1 June 2026

11/05/2026

The 2 day in-person Screen Accelerator Project workshop with Emmy-award winning producer Jon Kroll wrapped earlier this month.

Local filmmaker and recipient of FOS travel grant Dan Eady said "The experience was incredibly valuable, both practically and creatively. I came away with a much deeper understanding of unscripted television development, pitching strategy, market positioning and the realities of building projects for international audiences."

The Screen Accelerator Project is an unscripted 6-week development programme helping producers turn unscripted concepts into a market-ready pitch and sizzle.

Follow the page below for updates, opportunities, and a place for future applicants and alumni.

30/04/2026

LOCATION SPOTLIGHT // Poolburn Dam, Central Otago

Tucked away in Central Otago, Poolburn Dam is a landscape of wide-open skies, tussock grasslands, and rugged rock formations. Its remote beauty may be know for its feature in THE LORD OF THE RINGS.
With its raw, dramatic scenery and a sense of endless space, it’s a dream backdrop for aerial shots, cinematic landscapes, or projects that call for some serious scale!

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

Photos by Cam Wood