Screen industry funding doubles over four years

Funding from finance and grants to New Zealand’s screen industry almost doubled over the last four years, to reach $585 million in 2009, Statistics New Zealand said today. The Screen Industry Survey, first run in 2005, has now collected five years worth of data, providing an opportunity for New Zealanders to draw conclusions about the industry.

“Large budget movies such as the Lord of the Rings trilogy helped put New Zealand on the map as a filming destination, and encouraged international investment in the industry,” screen industry statistics manager Gary Dunnet said.

While the level of funding per year from domestic sources remained relatively consistent, at around $250 million, international funding increased significantly, from $51 million in 2005 to $280 million in 2009. Most of the increase in international funding was from North American countries, particularly the United States. In 2009, North America accounted for 84 percent of all international funding.

Feature film funding increased by more than $300 million between 2005 and 2008. By contrast, funding for television programmes remained relatively steady across all years of the survey. Funding includes finance and grants received from private and public sources, and is one form of revenue.

Total revenue for the screen industry as a whole increased by 6 percent between 2005 and 2009, to reach $2.8 billion. However, growth was not consistent. Revenue fluctuated from year to year, and decreased in some years. “Industry observers have noted that screen industry revenue is lumpy, and the five years of data from the Screen Industry Survey support that,” Mr Dunnet said.

Detailed results from the five years of the Screen Industry Survey were released today, see Screen Industry in New Zealand: 2009. The Screen Industry Survey is conducted annually. It is posted to all businesses involved in production, post-production, broadcasting, distribution, and exhibition of screen activities. The results for the 2010 Screen Industry Survey will be published in March 2011.