The reputation of the Dunedin film industry could soon rival that of the city's contribution to music, as the home of the Dunedin Sound, Dunedin city councillors have heard.
Film Otago Southland executive manager Kevin Jennings, of Queenstown, made the comment as he asked councillors for a $20,000 grant yesterday on the second day of the Dunedin City Council annual plan hearings.
To back up his request, he provided figures showing the organisation had helped attract production work - including television episodes, commercials and stills shoots - worth an estimated $915,000 to the city during the first three quarters of the 2009-10 financial year.
Throughout Otago and Southland, there were 81 productions shooting for 317 days, and in Dunedin there appeared to be a resurgence of activity within the film industry, while crews based within the city were developing their 3D production capabilities.
"We will see some really exciting projects come out of this in the future," he predicted.
The city appealed as a location, offering a wide variety of urban and rural landscapes, he said.
In time, the city's reputation could rival what it achieved in music as the home of the Dunedin Sound, he said.
"More people are talking. More projects are happening. There's a real buzz in the local film industry about what we are doing."
Mr Jennings said his organisation was also an example of regional co-operation for other parts of New Zealand and internationally, helped as it was by annual funding from the Queenstown Lakes ($70,000), Clutha, Central Otago and Waitaki regions ($3300 each).
Venture Southland was also being asked to contribute $20,000, and Mr Jennings urged councillors to continue their support for the organisation with a further grant.
He indicated the request was likely to be an annual one.
