Filmed Here

A world class film destination

The Otago Southland region has hosted international feature films, television commercials, TV series, documentaries and more for forty years.

Go behind-the- scenes of productions that have filmed in Otago and Southland in our YouTube showcase. Hear from cast, creatives and crew about their experience filming in this cinematic part of New Zealand.

Or take a look at some case studies below.

HEART OF THE BEAST

Survival thriller HEART OF THE BEAST (2026), starring Brad Pitt and some stellar Kiwi canine talent, filmed in several Queenstown Lakes locations. Our breathtaking alpine, forest and lake locations starred as Alaska in this thrilling and heartfelt adventure about a man and his dog braving the best and worst of the natural world.

PARAMOUNT PICTURES.

"Every now and then, something came across my monitor that took my breath away." - David Ayer - Director

A REMARKABLE PLACE TO DIE

Kiwi crime drama A REMARKABLE PLACE TO DIE (2024 - ongoing) is written, set and filmed in Queenstown. Local locations, stories and characters come together to create this compelling mountain-town murder mystery, with the Remarkable Studios facility in Frankton used as the central hub for the series. This is a perfect example of what the region can offer to local episodic television.

SCREENTIME NEWZEALAND IN COLLABORATION WITH REAL FILM BERLIN, ZDF, ACORN TV & TVNZ.

"Filmed entirely in the region and utilising our own Remarkable Studios, this production showcases New Zealand’s stunning scenery, sense of humour, and vibrant character, bringing major investment in the local economy, through high regional spend and new employment opportunities." - Philly de Lacey - Writer, Producer

WAR MACHINE

High-octane action feature film WAR MACHINE (2026), starring Alan Ritchson and directed by Patrick Hughes, utilised the dramatic river and alpine locations of Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago to bring a number of ambitious stunts to life. Epic stunts backdropped by epic scenery.

NETFLIX.

"The terrain and the locations look outstanding. That’s the reason we’re here." - Patrick Hughes - Director

WOLF MAN

Horror film WOLF MAN (2025) filmed parts on location around Queenstown, putting a sinister and nightmarish twist on our region's beautiful forest locations.

UNIVERSAL PICTURES & BLUMHOUSE.

"The locations in the South Island were beautiful. This allowed us to find something beautiful and point a camera at it" - Leigh Whannell - Director

UPROAR

Almost a character in itself, the city of Ōtepoti Dunedin played a central role in the feature film UPROAR. Co-Directors Paul Middleditch and Hamish Bennett said the production and many of the scenes could only have been done in Dunedin.

BLUE FOX ENTERTAINMENT.

"Working with the team here on the ground in Dunedin has been amazing, especially blocking off parts of town so we can do our protest. It’s no easy feat at all." - Sandra Kailahi - Producer

FORGIVE US ALL

Neo-western horror FORGIVE US ALL was proudly shot entirely on location in Queenstown, with the support of local crew.
Set in a post-apocalyptic world where a virus has transformed humans into violently deranged cannibals, FORGIVE US ALL follows Rory, a bereaved mother who has lost everything and takes refuge in an isolated mountain cabin, until a desperate wounded stranger arrives with a story of hope.

FIVE FILMS & STILES PICTURES.

"We were absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to film FORGIVE US ALL in our beloved home of Queenstown. Surrounded by the stunning bucolic landscape, alongside an incredibly talented cast and crew, the experience was truly unforgettable. The support from many local residents made the production even more special, and we are grateful for the warm hospitality that helped bring this project to life. We look forward to this being the first of many collaborations, and we can't wait to share the story with the world!" - Lance Giles - Writer, Producer

THE POWER OF THE DOG

Jane Campion's award-winning drama THE POWER OF THE DOG (2021) filmed on location in Otago, with Central Otago, Queenstown, Dunedin and Oamaru locations playing the role of 1920s Montana. Its accolades include an Academy Award for Best Director and Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture - Drama and Best Director.

NETFLIX.

"On the second day of sniffing around the South Island, which I know well, I was taken to a property near the Hawkdun Ranges area in Central Otago. I fell in love with it. It’s so remote and it’s 360 degrees empty with an amazing hill range behind it that felt very atmospheric. Ultimately, shooting in New Zealand wasn’t a compromise, it was the best choice for us." - Jane Campion - Writer, Director, Producer

THE ROYAL TREATMENT

Leading the Netflix charts for several weeks, THE ROYAL TREATMENT (2021) was filmed across multiple iconic Dunedin locations including Larnach Castle, University of Otago, Olveston, the Dunedin Warehouse Precinct and Wains Hotel Building.

CALABRIAN RHODE PRODUCTIONS, DISTRIBUTED BY NETFLIX.

"Ōtepoti is one of my favourite places to shoot in New Zealand, the city is highly photogenic and the people are welcoming and open. It’s got its own great creative history and I am looking forward to taking another project down. " - Line Producer - Matt Noonan - Curious Films

UNDER THE VINES

Comedy drama UNDER THE VINES (2021-2024), starring Rebecca Gibney and Charles Edwards, has filmed three seasons in Queenstown and Central Otago wine country, celebrating our beautiful landscapes and vineyard culture.

LIBERTINE PICTURES, ESSENTIAL MEDIA.

"The cast & crew loved working and living in the Central Otago region. The friendly locals welcomed us with open arms, the team enjoyed sampling the wonderful activities and events available in the area and we will be eternally grateful to have had the opportunity to shoot this series in what is one of the most beautiful places in the world." - Carmen Leonard - S1 Producer

ONE LANE BRIDGE

New Zealand crime-drama ONE LANE BRIDGE (2020 - 2022) filmed three seasons entirely on location around Queenstown and Glenorchy.

GREAT SOUTHERN TELEVISION.

"We have found the town incredibly open and welcoming and really generous, actually, in terms of connecting with us and giving us the space to do what we needed to do." - Lisa Chatfield - Producer

MULAN

Disney’s MULAN filmed in various South Island locations, including Waitaki’s stunning Ahuriri Valley and Central Otago.

WALT DISNEY PICTURES.

"We took 900 people and all of our horses to the Ahuriri Valley to stage an epic battle. It was incredible, like being on the back lot of a gigantic Italian movie from the ’50s" - Niki Caro - Director

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - FALLOUT

The sixth installment in the blockbuster MISSION IMPOSSIBLE franchise filmed some impressive scenes in Otago and Southland during the winter of 2017.

PARAMOUNT PICTURES.

"...the helicopter sequence is just incredibly exhilarating and very dangerous. So there's really only one country that would allow us to do it." - Tom Cruise

A WRINKLE IN TIME

The landscapes of Lake Hawea and surrounds became an otherwordly planet for Ava du Vernay's 2018 fantasy film, 'A Wrinkle in Time'.

WALT DISNEY PICTURES.

"Usually I can't wait to get home because I love my own backyard so much. New Zealand fills me up so deeply that I don't have the usual longing to get home." - Oprah Winfrey

See more on our YouTube Channel

I was absolutely blown away by the beauty of the South Island. - Evangeline Lilly, on filming THE HOBBIT trilogy

Film Otago Southland is funded and endorsed by

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

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