The success of New Zealand films like Out of the Blue highlights the value of the New Zealand Film Commission's support for smaller scale films.The success of New Zealand films like Out of the Blue highlights the value of the New Zealand Film Commission's support for smaller scale films.Released just last month, Out of the Blue has already passed the medium New Zealand viewership numbers for a comparable international film.

The NZFC's annual report 2005-06, tabled in Parliament today, makes the point that smaller features have launched the careers of many New Zealand filmmakers with exceptional talents.

Three new films in this category - Out of the Blue (Robert Sarkies, Graeme Tetley, Tim White, Steven O'Meagher), Eagle Vs Shark (Taika Waititi, Ainsley Gardner, Cliff Curtis) and Black Sheep (Jonathan King, Philippa Campbell) - began production during the year.

Eagle Vs Shark and Black Sheep will be released in New Zealand early next year.

The Chief Executive, Ruth Harley, says while larger-scale films like The World's Fastest Indian have received acclaim domestically and internationally, it is vital to offer opportunities to up-and-coming filmmakers.

"The NZFC has a very effective 'pipeline' of opportunity which allows filmmakers who prove themselves on initial projects like short films to graduate to smaller scale feature films. They are then positioned to move on to more ambitious films," she says.

The Commission spent $20.8 million - nearly 80 percent of its total budget for the year - on the development and production of New Zealand films.

$17.4 million was spent on financing feature films, $2.2 million on developing features and $1.1 million on short films.

The NZFC committed production investment for a total of ten films during the year, compared with seven in the previous financial year. One of these, The Devil Dared Me To, is the first in the NZFC's digital feature scheme.

"We are proud of our role in advancing New Zealand filmmaking over the last year and celebrate the continuing achievements of the New Zealand filmmakers with whom we work," Ruth Harley says.

Image: Matthew Sunderland in Out of the Blue