About us

What we are

Film Otago Southland is a Regional Film Office (RFO) - a.k.a "film commission" - providing free information, facilitation and support for screen productions and the screen industry in the Otago and Southland region of New Zealand.

Our region covers the districts of: Queenstown-Lakes, Southland, Central Otago, Waitaki, Dunedin and Clutha.

We're a member of the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI). 

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What we do

Our job is to: stimulate regional economic growth by attracting, facilitating and marketing screen productions; develop the sector for regional business; maximise opportunities for regional film professionals; and assist with policy development.

Partnership with the region’s landowners, communities, businesses and film industry stakeholders is key to everything we do. This is allied with the strong relationships we've built with offshore and domestic filmmakers over the years. Our role is that of connectors and facilitators, enabling the region to be celebrated on screen, worldwide.

FURTHER INFO

Quarterly Newsletters:

Meet the Team

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Kevin Jennings (KJ)

KJ Jennings is the Executive Manager of Film Otago Southland and is a certified film commissioner (CFC).

He has a wide range of relationships and intimate knowledge of the region and is eager to help you get your project on track.

He is recognized as an expert on location access for the film industry and a firm believer that the film industry can be a good partner in land management and conservation.

He is the current Chairman of the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) and the Film School at the Southern Institute of Technology in Invercargill. He is Vice Chairman of RFONZ (The Regional Film Offices of New Zealand) and is a former director of Film New Zealand.

He is also a trustee of the Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust.

Originally from Northern California, Queenstown has been his home for the last 30 years.

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Kahli Scott

Kahli is the Film Office Coordinator, responsible for incoming enquiries and facilitation; social media and marketing; programmes and events; and office operations.

Kahli previously lived in London, where she worked in live content production for global media events like Cannes Lions and the International Broadcasting Convention. These roles put Kahli at the pulse of the media, entertainment and technology industries, and she developed a particular interest in the future of film and advertising.

Originally from Australia, Kahli has a BFA in Creative Writing with a minor in Popular Culture studies. She's also a published fiction writer and nature enthusiast.

Email: kahli@filmotagosouthland.com
Phone: +64 3 441 0475

Film-Friendly

Brokering enduring good relations

Showcase

Celebrating Otago-Southland on screen

Opportunity

Foregrounding local film professionals

Facilitate

Cutting through the red tape for you

Add Value

Stimulating regional economic growth

Sustainable

Partnering regional location guardians

Trust Board

Film Otago Southland is a trust funded by contributing regional councils and other organisations, as follows: Queenstown Lakes District Council, Dunedin City Council, Great South, Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), Central Otago District Council and Waitaki District Council.
 
The Trust acts as a point of coordination for filming activity within the region, striving to maximise the economic benefits of this activity, while raising Otago-Southland’s profile as a world-class location in which to do business.

Get in touch

One of the highlights of my life was to involve that entire [Tapanui] community in the filmmaking process. - David Lowery, on filming PETE'S DRAGON in Tapanui

Film Otago Southland is funded and endorsed by

Central Otago District Council
Dunedin
Invercargill City Council
Queenstown Lates District Council
Southern Institute of Technology
Venture Southland
Waitaki District Council

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