National Film Unit
Encyclopedia
The National Film Unit was a state-owned film
production organisation in New Zealand
. Founded in 1941, it mostly produced newsreels, documentaries and promotional films about New Zealand, and for many years was the only significant film production facility in the country. Many people who were later prominent in the development of the modern New Zealand film industry were trained by the NFU.
The NFU was established during war with the brief to provide war-time information and propaganda to further the war effort. During war, the NFU's output focussed on the production of the Weekly Review, a weekly magazine-style film journal that was distributed for free to New Zealand's cinemas. Further, it produced short documentaries about the war effort.
After the end of the war in 1945, the NFU continued with a renewed focus on "educational film" for domestic audiences as well as the projection of a favourable image of New Zealand overseas, particularly for tourism promotion as well as, to lesser extent, to attract immigrants and investment and to further trade.
In 1977 the NFU and Television New Zealand
co-produced The Governor
, a television docudrama about Sir George Grey
.
When the NFU was privatised in the 1990s, it was purchased by film-maker Peter Jackson
and later renamed Park Road Post
upon completion of new facilities.
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
production organisation in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. Founded in 1941, it mostly produced newsreels, documentaries and promotional films about New Zealand, and for many years was the only significant film production facility in the country. Many people who were later prominent in the development of the modern New Zealand film industry were trained by the NFU.
The NFU was established during war with the brief to provide war-time information and propaganda to further the war effort. During war, the NFU's output focussed on the production of the Weekly Review, a weekly magazine-style film journal that was distributed for free to New Zealand's cinemas. Further, it produced short documentaries about the war effort.
After the end of the war in 1945, the NFU continued with a renewed focus on "educational film" for domestic audiences as well as the projection of a favourable image of New Zealand overseas, particularly for tourism promotion as well as, to lesser extent, to attract immigrants and investment and to further trade.
In 1977 the NFU and Television New Zealand
Television New Zealand
Television New Zealand, more commonly referred to, and stylized as TVNZ, is a government-owned corporation television network broadcasting in New Zealand and parts of the Pacific. It operates TV1, TV2, TVNZ7, TVNZ Heartland, TVNZ U and new media services....
co-produced The Governor
The Governor (TV series)
The Governor was a 1977 New Zealand television miniseries or docudrama on Sir George Grey, co-produced by TV One and the National Film Unit, with Grey played by English actor Corin Redgrave...
, a television docudrama about Sir George Grey
George Grey
George Grey may refer to:*Sir George Grey, 2nd Baronet , British politician*George Grey, 2nd Earl of Kent *Sir George Grey , Governor of Cape Colony, South Australia and New Zealand...
.
When the NFU was privatised in the 1990s, it was purchased by film-maker Peter Jackson
Peter Jackson
Sir Peter Robert Jackson, KNZM is a New Zealand film director, producer, actor, and screenwriter, known for his The Lord of the Rings film trilogy , adapted from the novel by J. R. R...
and later renamed Park Road Post
Park Road Post
Park Road Post is a 10,200 m² motion picture post production facility, located in Miramar, New Zealand, a suburb of Wellington. Formerly the state-owned National Film Unit, the new facility was renamed Park Road Post upon completion in 2005...
upon completion of new facilities.