NZICT supports Government film tax credit scheme, calls for its expansion
NZICT believes that the Government’s film tax credit scheme is a great way to support innovative New Zealand companies and argues that it should be extended rather than curtailed.
NZICT’s comments come as a reaction to recent criticism of the multimillion dollar grant for blockbuster film Avatar under the Large Budget Screen Production Grant (LBSPG).
NZICT CEO Brett O’Riley believes that critics of the grant are displaying short-sightedness.
“The scheme not only supports companies like Weta Digital, but spin off companies like Massive Software, Green Button and The Funny Farm which are involved in software development, game development and on-line content.
“We need to look forward and support the digital sector, which will in turn supply jobs and gains for our economy,” he said.
O’Riley argues that the scheme should be extended rather than limited.
“We need to expand the LBSPG to include those working on short movies, online games and mobile media.
“These industries are creating intellectual property for New Zealand on an unprecedented scale,” he said.
New Zealand’s burgeoning digital sector is attracting not only talented Kiwis, but specialists from all over the world, making New Zealand an attractive place for companies to invest.
O’Riley notes that we also need to ensure that proposed changes to the technology curriculum in secondary schools maintains and inspires new talent to take advantage of the digital industry.