A Trust Board has been formally set up to promote and encourage the development of the screen production industry in southern New Zealand.

Film Otago Southland trustees have now signed a deed following several months of discussion about progressing the industry in the regions.

Current trustees are:  Annie Weston, Brett Mills, Dave Comer, Julian Grimmond, Mark van der Wilt, Phil Turner and Sandra Clark (Chair).

The Trust will work closely with council film offices including Film Queenstown & Film Dunedin and local authority staff in Central Otago and Southland working on screen production.

"We aim to let people know nationally and internationally that the southern part of New Zealand is a great place to film.  We have fantastic skilled crews, great infrastructure and awe-inspiring locations," Ms Clark said.

The trust will initially trade as Film Queenstown but will seek representation from other southern areas to ensure it is representative.

"It's our job to promote coming to the southern part of the South Island for whatever type of screen production or stills photography you have in mind - we can do moonscapes, mountains, lakes, seas, dry arid land and rich fertile valleys.  And the crews here are ready and willing," she added.

Queenstown Lakes District Council Special Projects Manager Lee Harris has been working with the group in the lead-up to the trust's formation.  She said while it had been a quiet six months, there had been a slight increase in the number of permits sought in that period compared to the same period in 2004.

"We'll all be working hard to continue that trend," Ms Harris said.

ENDS

For more information, contact Sandra Clark on 021 449 851.

By: Tamah