Focus area 1: Rangatahi
Rangatahi are our future leaders and storytellers. We want to uplift and amplify the voices of the next generation of creatives.
Our vision
Wellington is firmly focused on being a bicultural City of Film. The capital is eager to put Aotearoa’s stories and storytellers in the spotlight.
The city has a rich film history and heritage, with some of Aotearoa’s most significant film milestones taking place in Wellington. With official recognition as a City of Film, Screen Wellington can build stronger and more enduring partnerships. The screen sector can be diverse and sustainable, and contribute to the cultural, social and economic development of the city.
Being part of the UNESCO Creative City Network provides the opportunity to exchange ideas, cooperate, and learn about other cultures. Taking Wellington to the world, and bringing the world to Wellington.
Wellington UNESCO City of Film Strategy
The strategy sets out ways Wellington will collaborate with other Creative City colleagues in Aotearoa and worldwide. It aims to elevate the visual storytellers of Wellington and bring an array of cultural experiences to the people of Wellington.
Working with industry, community groups, and educators, we aim to introduce programmes and support existing initiatives. This is to ensure Wellington is, and remains, the best place in Aotearoa to watch, make, and learn about movies. There are five strategic focus areas as part of the UNESCO City of Film Strategy.
Watch: Wellington UNESCO City of Film showreel
2:20
Visual: Black and white historic film clips play in quick succession.
- A person pulling film strips.
- A person looking into a film camera.
- A clapboard snapping.
- People riding horses in Newtown Park.
- Soldiers marching in Wellington.
- Trams running in Wellington.
Audio: Voiceover — Since recording the remarkable images of the second contingent at Newtown Park in 1900, we have continuously captured lightning in a bottle.
Visual: Black and white historic film clips continue to play.
- Soldiers on a ship.
- Ships in the harbour.
- Trams running in the streets.
- Cable car running up the hill.
Audio: Voiceover — Wellington has a rich screen heritage that has shaped the city and the sector of today. We aim to connect our people to place and purpose through film.
Visual: Historic film clips turn to colour.
- People protesting.
- A woman with a megaphone.
- A woman leans forward and switches a knob on a television.
Audio: Voiceover, speaking te reo Māori — He aha te mea nui o te ao. He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata. (What is the most important thing in the world? It is the people, it is the people, it is the people.)
Visual: Close-up of old television, showing a man’s face. The man on the television speaks.
Audio: Film clip — “Now before we start, is there any way I can talk you out of this?”
Visual: Clips change to widescreen with a group of men standing over the other man.
Audio: Music plays.
Visual: Quick succession of movie clips play.
- Pool table close-up with the first shot.
- Men laughing in a café.
- Women laughing in a car.
- A yellow mini driving on a suburban road.
- Kids riding a bike by the beach.
- A plane flying low over green hills.
- A woman looking at a man, wearing costumes.
- Musicians playing in a house.
- A wedding interrupted by killer sheep.
- A man and woman kiss as a train leaves the station.
Visual: A clip from ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ movie of Viago, Deacon, and Vladislav.
Audio: Film clip — Taika Waititi as Viago says, “We are ready to go into town and party — vampire style.”
Visual: Quick succession of movie clips play.
- View of Wellington motorway coming into the city, following a yellow mini.
- A man drinking a glass of champagne at a wedding.
- Dancers on a stage.
- A mini is being chased around Wellington streets by a police car.
- The man in the mini is on the phone.
Audio: Film clip — Man in the mini says, “It’s just movies ya know, a car chase.”
Visual: Cuts to a woman on the phone in the dark.
Audio: Film clip — “No look you don’t have to explain to me.”
Visual: A quick succession of clips.
- Series of clips of people riding in cars.
- A film crew setting up in a garage.
- A film crew in a house.
- People partying in a club.
- A man walking in a tunnel.
- An old woman gardening.
- A film crew at a club.
- People dancing at a ball.
- A wedding.
- Shots of water.
Audio: Voice over — “We are the storytellers. The mold breakers. The memory makers. And the kaitiaki (guardians).”
Visual: A quick succession of clips with people.
Audio: Voice over — Weaving our stories as we take Wellington culture and creativity to the world.
Visual: Sweeping view of Wellington city lights at dusk from Oriental Parade.
Audio: Voice over — Wellington UNESCO City of Film. Te Upoko o te Ika.
Visual: Wellington UNESCO City of Film logo appears on the screen.
Our progress
The Wellington UNESCO City of Film Annual Report 2020/21 highlights the progress the region has made since becoming a City of Film.
In a challenging year, Wellington UNESCO City of Film developed programmes and opportunities to inspire filmmakers and screen creatives.
Find out more about the highlights and key milestones:
Wellington Regional Screen Sector Strategy
The Wellington Regional Screen Sector Strategy sits alongside the UNESCO strategy.
Wellington’s screen and creative technology sectors offer a significant opportunity for the region. The five-year screen sector strategy aims to guide the Wellington regional screen sector to further develop the industry. Taking advantage of opportunities and addressing challenges to create a more sustainable, collaborative and diverse industry.
About UNESCO
UNESCO is a specialised agency that aims to foster creativity and culture at a local and international level.
In November 2019, the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) named Wellington as a Creative City of Film.
Learn more about the 18 Cities of Film in the network:
In becoming a UNESCO City of Film, Wellington became part of the Creative Cities Network (UCCN).
UNESCO Creative Cities Network
Diverse Voices
Making screen work different
‘Diverse Voices’ is a project developed by Wellington UNESCO City of Film to uncover some of the region’s diverse storytelling talent.