Busan Film Commission, Film Auckland sign agreement

The MoU, which was announced at the Busan International Film Commission & Film Industry Showcase (BIFCOM), builds on the New Zealand-South Korea co-production agreement signed in September 2008. BIFCOM is running parallel to the Pusan International Film Festival.

 “This memorandum highlights the close relationship that has developed between Auckland and our sister city Busan,” said Auckland City Council international relations manager, Caroline Lassiter.

“The Auckland screen industry contributes $2.2bn to our economy and makes up more than three-quarters of New Zealand’s screen industry revenue. We welcome future opportunities to work in partnership with filmmakers from Busan.”

The MOU’s goals include the following:

* Strengthening and developing existing co-production relationships, projects and methods of co-producing, as well as the practical elements concerning business structures, pre-production, funding, shooting, casts & crew, post-production, etc.

* Promoting an active exchange of industrial information in regards to finance policy, technological innovation in production and screening and joint initiatives such as industrial personnel, internships and plans for film education and human resource development.

* Encouraging the circulation of the co-production material and endeavoring to increase screening opportunities locally and internationally.

* Developing dialogue between Film Auckland, Busan Film Commission and various production houses and companies, with a view to sharing information about the nature of each country’s respective local agency, economic and creative environments and developing strategies to bring ideas to fruition.

* Building a system of mutual cooperation whereby they agree to support and promote each other’s cities and locations including referring enquiries and opportunities to one another when they believe the other cities’ locations are more suitable than their own.