About us

What we do

Film Otago Southland is a Regional Film Office (RFO) - aka a "film commission". Our job is to stimulate regional economic growth by attracting, facilitating and marketing screen productions; to develop the sector for regional business; to maximise opportunities for regional film professionals; and to assist with policy development.

How we do it

Partnership with the region’s landowners, communities, and business 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.

Why we do it

We want the Otago Southland region to continue to grow its established "film-friendly" reputation with filmmakers across the globe. We achieve this by making each production as streamlined as possible, while ensuring every hosting community enjoys an equally positive experience. A win-win for all means a film-friendly future for all.

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 office operations, enquiries, customer service and social media.

Kahli previously lived in London, where she worked in live content production for Cannes Lions - the international festival of creativity for advertising and branded communications. Prior to this, she worked in live content production for the International Broadcasting Convention, a global trade show for the broadcasting industry. 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.

Kahli is also a published writer with a keen interest in books and nature.

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, Venture Southland, Southern Institute of Technology, Central Otago District Council, Waitaki District Council.
 
The Trust acts as a single 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

My favorite parts about “The Battle of Five Armies” were the moments where you could clearly see that we were looking at New Zealand. That it wasn’t done in post, it wasn’t CGI, it was the beautiful, incredible creation of Mother Nature in all of her splendor. - Evangeline Lilly, on filming THE HOBBIT trilogy

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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