Other financeNew ZealandChecked 16 Oct 2026 · rechecked 17 Oct 2026

NZFC — innovation-led production

New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC)

Closes 9 Nov 2026

Monday 9 November 2026, 13:00

Rechecked on the official page, 17 Oct 2026. NZFC lists a 1pm Monday 9 November deadline; book a pre-application hui at least four weeks before you submit.

Official page

Official page: https://www.nzfilm.co.nz/funding-support-nz-filmmakers/funding/feature-film-production-investment

Who can apply: NZ citizen or permanent-resident lead producers; NZ content or an official co-production
You get: Up to NZD 1,500,000 for an Innovation-led film; a grant if budget ≤NZD 1m and ask ≤NZD 500,000
Entry fee: Not published
Making: Fiction feature, Documentary
Stage: Development, Production
Type: Other finance

Before you apply

You need a hui with the NZFC at least four weeks before applying, which for 9 November meant by 12 October; ask the NZFC first if you've missed it
What recoupment, ownership and project-specific financing conditions apply? Meanwhile: Do not market production finance as free grant money.
Do grant/post-production payments follow 70% at close / 30% later, or the general maximum 50% across the first two payments? Meanwhile: Do not forecast spendable cash from either sentence; request a written project drawdown schedule.
Can a new applicant without the four-week pre-hui lead time use the 9 November intake? Which CEO/Board route and cutoff zone apply? Meanwhile: The derived checkpoint was 12 October, already elapsed; do not show an unconditional Apply now instruction.
Guidelines request guarantor evidence at budget >=NZD1m; Terms of Trade say budget >NZD1m (and/or equity >NZD500k). What is required at exactly NZD1m? Meanwhile: Flag the boundary for organiser review; do not infer an exemption from grant classification.

Dates

Do first Monday 12 October 2026 NZFC pre-hui four-week checkpoint for 9 November; already elapsed at snapshot
Closes Monday 9 November 2026 13:00

Who can apply

NZ citizen or permanent-resident lead producers; NZ content or an official co-production

Limited to New Zealand. More than one test applies, such as where you live and where your company is.

What you get

Up to NZD 1,500,000 for an Innovation-led film; a grant if budget ≤NZD 1m and ask ≤NZD 500,000

Purpose ceiling: innovation	NZD 1,500,000	Conditional grant/equity thresholds and full eligibility still apply.
Maximum request still classified as grant when budget <=NZD1m	NZD 500,000	Both budget and request thresholds must hold. Does not guarantee an award.
Details		Purpose cap NZD1,500,000; grant only when both the <=NZD1m film budget and <=NZD500,000 request tests hold. Otherwise equity.

Amounts stay in the currency the organiser uses. Caps, totals and alternatives are listed as published; don’t add them up.

What it costs

The official page didn’t state an entry fee when we read it on 17 Oct 2026. That isn’t the same as free: check the form before you count on it.

What to bring

Production-ready script or documentary materials / rough cut for post; budget, finance and cashflow plans; rights chain; market commitments; pre-application hui at least four weeks ahead.

Terms to read first

Obligations	SPV needed after conditional offer, not at application. Signed agreement supersedes terms. Closing takes time after conditions are met; payment schedule has a substantive conflict. Completion-bond wording differs at exactly NZD1m.

Our notes, not legal advice. Read the contract before you accept a place or grant any rights.

Where this comes from

NZFC — Feature Film Production Investment Checked 16 Oct 2026. 9 November 13:00 listed; page clock zone not explicit; grant/equity confirmed separately
NZFC production and post-production guidelines Checked 16 Oct 2026. Guidelines read; request/budget thresholds and pre-step requirement inspected
NZFC Terms of Trade Checked 16 Oct 2026. Terms read; contradictory instalment ceiling retained; bond boundary differs from guidelines

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A research snapshot, not legal advice or a promise that the call is open. The official page always wins.