New Zealand Directors

Below are some of the best New Zealand directors ever. Click on their pictures to discover more about them.

A Brief History of New Zealand Cinema

The history of cinema in New Zealand began with the first public movie screening taking place in 1896. A documentary produced in 1900 is the oldest surviving film from the country, and by 1914, New Zealand had premiered its first feature film. Initially, the film industry developed on a small scale from the 1920s to the 1960s. It wasn’t until the 1970s, bolstered by the establishment of the New Zealand Film Commission in 1978, that locally-made films started gaining significant audiences and international recognition. The Commission played a crucial role in encouraging and assisting the filmmaking process and defining what constitutes a New Zealand film based on substantial local content.

From the 1990s onwards, New Zealand cinema has found international success, with films like “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and “Avatar” reflecting both local themes and international collaborations. The country has also become a popular location for international film productions. However, New Zealand directors and actors often had to seek opportunities abroad due to limited private funding at home.

Notable New Zealand film directors include Sir Peter Jackson, known for his work on “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies, and Jane Campion, the director of critically acclaimed films such as “The Piano” and “Bright Star”. Directors like Taika Waititi, with works like “Thor: Ragnarok” and “Jojo Rabbit”, have also gained international acclaim.