Businesses give weight to new film studio

AUCKLAND COUNCIL- controlled Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development Ltd (ATEED) has a shortlist of four businesses interested in building a film studio in Auckland.

ATEED sought expressions of interest from local and overseas companies to form private interests in building a new film studio to boost the local screen industry, claiming there was evidence of demand and lost opportunities which added up to ‘‘market failure’’.

It would like to see a studio with three or four large sound stages. A fallback option would be the significant expansion of an existing studio, and it may be that the council will help finance the project.

ATEED believes the addition of a medium-sized studio would have a ‘‘direct additional GDP impact of $190 million’’.

‘‘Following due diligence and assessment from the evaluation

‘A shortlist of four contenders has been agreed.’

panel, a short list of four contenders has been agreed,’’ a spokesman for ATEED said. ‘‘Both the shortlisted contenders and those who missed out have been updated on the status of their expressions for interest.

‘‘The shortlisted contenders have been asked for further information in relation to their proposals. This information has now been received and is due to be considered by the evaluation panel over the coming weeks. The next step is to select the proposals which will progress to the business case stage.

‘‘An update on this will most likely be available in the second week of November.’’

The studio will be within a 20-kilometre zone centred on the Auckland CBD, and there is speculation that land in Prime Minister John Key’s Helensville electorate is being considered.

The request of interest asks respondents if they would be seeking any funding from the council.

Auckland studios, including one set of council-owned studios, have been the venue for shooting for a number of high-profile movies and TV series, including The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Power Rangers.