Education New Zealand, along with the New Zealand Film Commission, has partnered with production studios Universal Pictures, MRC and Hungry City Limited on the upcoming feature Mortal Engines to promote the country’s creative arts education to overseas students.
The partnership, which comes as part of the New Zealand Screen Production Grant 5% uplift, aims to promote New Zealand’s growing film and television industry to international students.
“We aim to build international awareness of New Zealand’s strengths in the creative arts principally in the tertiary and vocational education sectors involving universities, ITPs and private providers,” ENZ chief executive Grant McPherson said.
“We want to build New Zealand’s reputation in the creative arts by linking to an industry that is growing and always looking for talent.”
NZFC currently provides a cash grant of 20% of production costs to international productions undertaken within New Zealand to encourage foreign investment within its film industry. A further 5% uplift is available for productions that promote the country to the world in areas including international education and tourism.
As part of the uplift, a marketing partnership for both ENZ and NZFC is planned.
McPherson said the creative arts was a growing area for international education, and many providers had strong film industry connections through which students could gain experience.
“In 2016, 4,765 international students studied creative arts in New Zealand at universities, ITPs and private providers – up slightly on the 4,687 international students in 2015,” McPherson told The PIE News.
“We aim to build international awareness of New Zealand’s strengths in the creative arts”
“Our best estimate is that these students contributed $100 million to the New Zealand economy. We anticipate further growth of 7% plus in coming years as a result of the Mortal Engines partnership.”
Mortal Engines is the fifth film to receive the 5% uplift, after Power Rangers Dino Charge, Pete’s Dragon, Ghost in the Shell and MEG. A teaser trailer for the film was released last year.
