Shorts Newsletter - 3 September 2021

We have just published the information for applicants intending to make a funding application to the Projects and Roles funding pillars of the Public Interest Journalism Fund.

Read the full Round 3 Funding Round Information for Applicants - Projects and Roles Funding here.

Funding round priorities

It is expected that this round will have circa $9m available with estimated allocations as follows:

• Projects (circa $7m)
• Targeted Roles (circa $2m)

This comprises approximately $5m from the PIJF and approximately $4m from NZ On Air baseline Factual funding (context on this is outlined in the full round information document).

Given the limited funding available and expected demand, the number of applications each media entity can make will be limited to:

• Up to three project applications. Each project should be applied for separately.
• Up to three targeted roles. Applications can be made via a single application or separately. If an applicant wishes to submit more than three targeted role applications, they will need to seek approval from the Head of Journalism (raewyn@nzonair.govt.nz) prior to submission.

Key dates

Thursday 9th September - Funding round opens. Applications portal open for five-page submissions.

Thursday 30th September, 4pm - Initial application deadline. Round closes.

Friday 8th October - Shortlist decided.

Tuesday 12th October - Shortlist contacted. Shortlisted applications will be invited to submit full proposals. Unsuccessful applicants notified.

Tuesday 12th - Friday 15th October - Feedback to shortlist. The assessment team will go back to shortlisted applicants re: any outstanding questions that came up during assessment.

Friday 29th October 4pm - Full proposal deadline. Shortlisted applicants submit full proposals through our online applications portal.

w/c 15th November - Decisions for applications seeking ≤ $1m. Applicants notified this week.

Thursday 2nd December - Decisions for applications seeking > $1m. Applicants notified the following day and media release published. This date may be extended at NZ On Air’s sole discretion.

For funded productions that have been financially impacted by the current Level 4 lockdown NZ On Air has a limited Screen Production Recovery Fund (SPRF) of a maximum of $1m. This is to cover eligible additional costs that can’t be covered by contingency or other budget re-arrangement.

We ask that productions wait until they can accurately access the full budget implications of the lockdown interruption to their production before submitting a SPRF application, as we will only be able to process one application per production. If productions have short-term cashflow issues we are prepared to consider adjusting scheduled drawdowns to alleviate this while you assess the wider ramifications for your production.

If you are seeking a change to your current drawdowns to alleviate immediate cashflow issues please contact accounts@nzonair.govt.nz

If you wish to submit a SPRF application, please submit this to funding@nzonair.govt.nz. Please read the eligibility criteria here.

When submitting an SPRF application, you will need to include the following information:

• a revised budget that amalgamates the original budget and COVID-19 related additional costs in an up-to-date cost report. COVID-19 costs should be highlighted
• a narrative explaining the additional costs incurred, and any additional documents that support your application
• a revised production schedule
• confirmation that your commissioning platform supports the application

NZ On Air wishes to acknowledge the resignation announced today of TVNZ CEO Kevin Kenrick after nine years.

NZ On Air CEO Cameron Harland says, “Kevin has led the company through extraordinary times, and leaves it on a high and in really great shape for the future. He has been a huge champion of local content, for which we have been grateful. He has served New Zealand audiences well.”

NZ On Air congratulates Kevin on his achievements in the role and wishes him well for the future.

We have an exciting new opportunity for a Junior Funding Advisor to join us in Wellington!

This is a fixed-term role due to the extra resource required to respond to changing funding levels and increased workload, and the undetermined workload levels beyond FY21-22.

Key to your success will be your keen interest in the media sector, excellent and concise report writing and analysis, as well as outstanding attention to detail with a high level of accuracy.

The Junior Funding Advisor will be responsible for paper-writing administration, assessing and advising on funding applications to the Scripted, Factual, and Platforms streams of the NZMF, and monitoring progress of successful applications.

Episode One: Web Series Pilot Programme, one of the most significant boosts to Pan-Asian screen creativity and capability, is now open for applications.

Delivered by Pan-Asian Screen Collective and funded by NZ On Air, this initiative will build the capacity of Pan-Asian practitioners through a structured development course that spans four months with classes and workshops delivered by a range of local and international industry experts.

Following the course, teams will produce their web series pilots with funding of up to $70,000 for each project. Alongside in-class development and tuition, teams receive project-based mentorship through support from the New Zealand Film Commission.

The programme’s key aims include craft training, industry literacy, development and production of a pilot episode with a high potential for series funding and distribution, and to foster Pan-Asian representation in the screen industry.

Applications are now open, and will close at 1:00pm on Thursday 25 November 2021. More information, including Eligibility, Application Requirements, and FAQs, is available on the PASC website here.