Waitaha Canterbury
Applications open now!
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3 August 2026
Have you got a Feature Film or TV Series script and want to take it to the next level? Te Puna Matarau | The Canterbury Screen Industry Association has successfully run creative screen incubator programmes for Waithaha Canterbury-based filmmakers over the last 3 years, focusing on creative development of long-form feature film and TV series scripts. We are now ready to roll out our third programme for 2027. This programme is to support and develop emerging/mid-career Screenwriters to progress their projects towards the next stage of production. Through 1:1 mentorship and development of their long-form feature film script, or TV pilot script and series arc, we hope to help supercharge their development and production journey. Four projects will be selected (2x feature film, 2 x TV series) and each will receive one-on-one mentoring with industry professionals matched to their specific project, working towards updated drafts of their script or series, culminating with the opportunity to meet with and pitch their projects to industry and producers. Additionally this year we have included a writer’s stipend of $6,500+gst for each project to receive to ensure they have the financial support, resources and time needed to complete the programme. To be eligible, applicants must be based in the Waitaha Canterbury region. |
Key dates:
- Applications open: 3 Aug 2026
- Applications close: 30 Oct 5pm, 2026
- Participants announced: 14 Dec 2026
- Mentorship commences: Jan-June 2027
- Programme complete: 31 July 2027
Eligibility Requirements:
Who is eligible?
Teams (1-4 people made up of a screenwriter(s), optional to include director and/or producer) with a full script in development who are able to demonstrate that their project is at the right stage for support and is viable for production.
To be eligible, at least one of the key applicants must be residentially based in the Waitaha Canterbury region or have a strong connection to the region; and all applicants must be Permanent New Zealand residents or New Zealand citizens currently residing in Aotearoa.
Application will be assessed on quality and originality of the script; the story; writer’s voice and skill; team cohesion and relationship to Canterbury; the viability of the production.
Submission Requirements:
What you’ll need to submit:
Key Dates for Programme:
Programme Structure:
Deliverables:
Deliverables will be discussed and devised on a bespoke basis for each project’s needs, here are some examples of Deliverables that may be required, all will need to be accompanied by notes addressing any changes and feedback from mentor:
Deliverable examples:
Selection Panel Information:
The selection panel is made up of 4 NZ screen industry professionals who represent a diverse range of views and perspectives with experience in selection panel kaupapa. The identity of the panelists will remain anonymous but come from varied identity & cultural backgrounds as agreed by the TPM Executive Committee to ensure a well-rounded panel. The panelists will read each application and submission material and grade each application from a list of criteria to select the final 4 projects.
Mentor Information:
Once participants are selected, a suitable mentor will be assigned to the project based on project and writer needs. The mentor will be a screen industry professional with relevant knowledge and experience.
Terms and Conditions:
Who is eligible?
Teams (1-4 people made up of a screenwriter(s), optional to include director and/or producer) with a full script in development who are able to demonstrate that their project is at the right stage for support and is viable for production.
To be eligible, at least one of the key applicants must be residentially based in the Waitaha Canterbury region or have a strong connection to the region; and all applicants must be Permanent New Zealand residents or New Zealand citizens currently residing in Aotearoa.
Application will be assessed on quality and originality of the script; the story; writer’s voice and skill; team cohesion and relationship to Canterbury; the viability of the production.
Submission Requirements:
What you’ll need to submit:
- Title
- Genre
- Logline (up to 35 words)
- Synopsis (up to 500 words)
- Question: Why this story, why me, why now? (up to 200 words)
- Question: Who is your audience for this story? (up to 200 words)
- Question: What do you hope to gain from this programme? What do you or the script need? (up to 200 words)
- Any other material you wish to upload to support your application - eg. Vision board, Letter of Support, Pitch Deck (up to 5 pages collated PDF) - optional
- Team members short screen biography/s (up to 150 words each)
- Upload 1 page CVs for each team member (collated PDF)
- Team Relationship to Canterbury
- Full draft of the script (Feature-length script)
- Full draft of the pilot script (half hour or hour long episode script)
- Series arc overview (up to 200 words synopsis per episode)
Key Dates for Programme:
- 3 August 2026: Applications open
- 30 October 2026: Applications close, panel selection begins
- 14 December 2026: Participants announced, first mentor session
- Jan-Mar 2027: Mentor sessions and writing
- 26 March 2027: Deliverable One submitted
- Mar - Jun 2027: Mentor sessions and writing
- 25 June 2027: Deliverable Two submitted
- July 2027: Attend Industry Session, reporting and close.
Programme Structure:
- Participants will receive up to 20 hours of bespoke 1:1 mentoring, feedback and advice from a screenwriting professional on their script and project throughout December 2026 - June 2027. This will be done in-person or online depending on the location of participants and mentors.
- Participants will attend an industry pitch and network session in July 2027.
- Participants will produce 2 x sets of deliverables over the mentoring period demonstrating development of their project.
- Participants will receive 3 x drawdown stipend payments totalling $6,500+gst per project to ensure they have the financial support, resources and time needed to complete the programme.
Deliverables:
Deliverables will be discussed and devised on a bespoke basis for each project’s needs, here are some examples of Deliverables that may be required, all will need to be accompanied by notes addressing any changes and feedback from mentor:
Deliverable examples:
- New full draft of script (feature)
- New full draft of Pilot script and/or Series Arc (series)
- Detailed character breakdown (feature/series)
- Detailed scene breakdown (feature/series)
Selection Panel Information:
The selection panel is made up of 4 NZ screen industry professionals who represent a diverse range of views and perspectives with experience in selection panel kaupapa. The identity of the panelists will remain anonymous but come from varied identity & cultural backgrounds as agreed by the TPM Executive Committee to ensure a well-rounded panel. The panelists will read each application and submission material and grade each application from a list of criteria to select the final 4 projects.
Mentor Information:
Once participants are selected, a suitable mentor will be assigned to the project based on project and writer needs. The mentor will be a screen industry professional with relevant knowledge and experience.
Terms and Conditions:
- Participants must agree to all Terms & Conditions
- Participants must abide by the selection criteria, including residential or close connection to Canterbury
- Open to NZ Citizens and Permanent Residents only
- Proof of address must be provided prior to final selection for participants
- All final participants must sign an agreement that will confirm attendance of mentor sessions, submission of 2 sets of deliverables, industry pitch session, and any final reporting requirements.
- Mentor sessions will occur online or in-person depending on the location of Mentors and Writers
- All permissions and licences for adapted material is the responsibility of the team/creators
- All Intellectual Property generated by this programme is owned by the creators and not TPM
- All participants will schedule and attend all mentor sessions as agreed with Programme Manager
- The selection panel decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into
- Stipend drawdown 1 will be paid on completed signing of agreement with participant
- Proof of deliverables received is required prior to payment of Stipend drawdowns 2 and 3
- We do not allow the use of AI in your application or script, all material must be human-generated
- The Programme Manager will monitor and report on activity throughout the programme and be available to participants as required
- The kaupapa of the programme is to uplift, inspire and encourage Waitaha Canterbury-based writers and teams to move their script into the next stage towards production. We do this in the spirit of kindness and respect, and expect all participants to enter into this programme with the same outlook
Contact us if you have any questions about the programme or application process
Sponsors:
Te Puna Matarau wish to thank the New Zealand Film Commission and New Zealand On Air for their support of this development initiative, funded via their talent development schemes.
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image used: kaitlyn-baker-unsplash
