About us

What we are

Film Otago Southland is a not-for-profit Trust supporting screen production in the region. We work in collaboration with the Queenstown Lakes and Dunedin council film offices to provide pan-regional cohesion and a seamless experience for filmmakers, productions and film businesses no matter where you operate, create or film in Otago and Southland.

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

 

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.

FURTHER INFORMATION

 

Newsletters

Meet the Team

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Stefan Roesch

Stefan manages Film Dunedin and co-manages Film Otago Southland alongside Kahli.

Stefan Roesch has nearly 20 years of experience in market research and is a leading expert on film tourism. In 2003, he emigrated to New Zealand to embark on the world’s first PhD in Film Tourism at the University of Otago. He has consulted various destinations on film tourism projects around the world, including the likes of VisitBritain on the movie PADDINGTON and Tourism Northern Ireland on GAME OF THRONES. 

To date, Stefan has produced three award-winning short films – two in Germany and one in New Zealand. In October 2023, Stefan was awarded the designation of Certified Film Commissioner (CRC), having successfully completed the Master Class Programme run by the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI).

Contact Stefan: stefan.roesch@dcc.govt.nz

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Kahli Scott

Kahli manages Film Queenstown Lakes and co-manages Film Otago Southland alongside Stefan.

Kahli has over ten years of experience supporting and advocating for the creative, media and entertainment industries. Born in Canada and raised in Australia, she holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in Creative and Professional Writing and a minor in Popular Culture and Literature. Prior to moving to Queenstown in 2018, she spent time in London working for major media and entertainment events such as the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) and Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. 

Kahli has worked for the film office in Queenstown for five years and is also currently the Chair of the Regional Film Offices of New Zealand (RFONZ) association.

Contact Kahli: kahli.scott@qldc.govt.nz

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Nadia Insolia

Nadia provides Administration Support to Film Otago Southland, Kahli and Stefan.

Nadia is a Queenstown based creative, emerging in the film industry. Born in Melbourne, she has broadly studied in creative fields including Interior Design, Graphic Design and Arts. She is a local yoga teacher and artist and actively works in the screen industry however she can get involved, from large scale international productions through to local content, Nadia is passionate about the industry.

Nadia has recently produced a TVC in Queenstown for a national organisation.

Contact Nadia: nadia@filmotagosouthland.com

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. 

Current Trustees for 2023 are:

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

Get in touch

New Zealand is earth at its most fantastic. - Simon Pegg, on filming MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: FALLOUT

Film Otago Southland is funded and endorsed by

Central Otago District Council
Dunedin
Queenstown Lates District Council
Southern Institute of Technology
Great South
Waitaki District Council

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