The NZ Film Commission and distributor Screenline are releasing 25 classic kiwi feature films on DVD during the next 18 months.

“We have a broad catalogue of films dating back 30 years. Many of our older titles have had limited ability to reach the public due to the lack of digital materials, cost of restoration and relative commercial restraints,” said Kathleen Drumm, NZFC Head of Sales & Marketing.   “Last year we began a major digitisation process to ensure that as many films as possible are available on DVD for New Zealanders to own, and we are delighted that Mark Galloway will distribute these through Screenline.”

“As our film industry has gone from strength to strength, interest in the earlier work of our film-makers has grown” said Mark Galloway, Managing Director of Screenline. “It’s not just the directors. People are interested in our cinematographers, writers, editors and other creatives - and of course the films themselves and the New Zealand stories they tell. We are delighted to be able to bring these to the public through Screenline, and we hope that they will have special appeal to collectors of NZ cinema.”

Six diverse films will go out first:  David Blyth’s 1978 erotic fantasy ANGEL MINE; Christine Jeffs’ RAIN, based on the best selling novel by Kirsty Gunn and selected for the 2001 Cannes Director’s Fortnight; Bruce Morrison’s 1984 CONSTANCE, the post World War II  story of a young teacher’s infatuation with the fantasy world of Hollywood; Michael Firth’s 1985  SYLVIA, based on the remarkable true life story of Sylvia Ashton Warner; the late Barry Barclay’s acclaimed 1987 Cannes Critics Week entrant NGATI; and Stewart Main and Peter Wells 1993 DESPERATE REMEDIES, a 19th century costume drama laced with themes of love, sex, power and manipulation.

The New Zealand Cinema on DVD series totals over 25 films that will be released as six individual titles a quarter.