NZ global development initiative selects 12 producers for activator programme

Chosen producers (L-R) top: Alexander Behse, Alexandra Reed, Cameron Bakker, Cass Avery. Centre: Georgina Conder, Mario Gaoa, Halaifonua ‘Nua’ Finau, Nicole Horan (Ngāti Maniapoto). Bottom: Nigel McCulloch (Ngāti Whakaue), Paul Yates, Rachale Davies (Ngāti Māhanga) and Robyn Paterson

New Zealand’s new Activator Screen Business Programme has selected 12 producers from across the industry to take part in a career accelerator initiative.

The scheme, announced earlier this year, has been designed to build export capability from within New Zealand’s screen production sector.

The 12 producers represent some of the most entrepreneurial and ambitious screen talent in New Zealand/Aotearoa, working across film, television, documentary and factual.

They include Kevin & Co co-founder Cameron Bakker, writer and producer Halaifonua ‘Nua’ Finau from Tavake and drama and documentary producer Alexandra Reed from Bloom Pictures.

From July to October, the mid-career and established producers will take part in an intensive programme, including industry-led workshops, international market visits to Sydney, London and LA, and expert business training.

Richard Fletcher, MD of Libertine Pictures, said the programme was developed collaboratively in response to the dynamic changes reshaping the screen sector and demanding a rapid shift in production skills.

The scheme has been supported by the New Zealand Film Commission, NZ On Air, Te Māngai Pāho, the Vista Foundation, Netflix, Grant Thornton and Gallagher Insurance.

It was developed by Libertine Pictures and 113 Partners, with the latter company overseeing the course content and Libertine Pictures and Hinterland managing the market connections, assisted by local producers’ guild Spada.