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Wellington: A rising star in global film and game production
A new era for Wellington’s creative industry
Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, is making waves in the global entertainment industry. Known for hosting the production of the “Avatar” film series, the city is now positioning itself as a premier hub for games, VFX, and animation. The recent unveiling of the “Make It Here” showreel highlights Wellington’s capabilities ahead of several high-profile events.
A legacy of iconic productions
Previously recognized as a UNESCO City of Film, Wellington is home to renowned companies such as Weta Workshop, Weta FX, and Park Road Post-Production. The city also boasts the prestigious Victoria University of Wellington’s Miramar Creative Centre. Over the years, Wellington has been the backdrop for iconic productions like James Cameron’s Avatar and its sequels, Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings,” and more recent projects like Taika Waititi’s “Time Bandits,” Jemaine Clement and Paul Yates’ ”Wellington Paranormal,” and “After the Party.”
Expanding into the gaming industry
Wellington is now setting its sights on expanding its influence in the games and software sectors. Chantelle Cole, program director for the Game Development Sector Rebate (GDSR) at NZ On Air, emphasized the city’s growing reputation. “Many people are unaware of the incredible success stories emerging both from Wellington’s games industry and from studios across New Zealand (Aotearoa),” she said.
The “Make It Here” showreel features work from a variety of creative production companies in the region, including Big Adventure, Floating Rock, Weta FX, Lost Cosmonauts, PikPok, A44 Games, Beyond, and Wildboy. Studios like PikPok, one of New Zealand’s oldest and largest, have seen their games downloaded over half a billion times. Dinosaur Polo Club’s titles, “Mini Metro” and “Mini Motorways,” are enjoyed by over 10 million players globally, which is double the population of Aotearoa. The GDSR was established to support the growth and development of the sector, positioning Wellington as a powerhouse in the international game development scene.
The future of creative tech in Wellington
Mark Westerby, head of attraction at Screen Wellington, highlighted the city’s commitment to traditional filmmaking while embracing new technologies. “Wellington will always be home to more traditional filmmaking methods, but we see this creative tech as a major contributor to our creative economy, especially in terms of weightless exports,” he said.
WetaFX, a cornerstone of Wellington’s VFX industry, has recent credits including ”Cocaine Bear,” “The Last of Us,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” and “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.” Additionally, 37 Degrees Studio has contributed to “Legendary Travel.”
Showcasing Wellington’s talent
The “Make It Here” reel premiered at an industry event at Massey University’s National Academy of Screen Arts. This event precedes a series of location events such as Busan’s Asian Contents & Film Market and Location Expo in Las Vegas next month.
Upcoming events in Aotearoa include the New Zealand Game Developers’ Conference (17-19 October), Wellington Games Week (13-19 October), Show Me Shorts (16-20 October), NZ Youth Film Festival (6-7 December), Maoriland Film Festival (March 2025), Wellington Animation Film Festival (March 2025), and Square Eyes: Around the World in Eight Days (Kids Film Festival and animation workshops).
Conclusion
Wellington is not just a city with a rich cinematic history; it is a burgeoning hub for game development and creative technology. With its impressive roster of companies and a supportive infrastructure, Wellington is poised to become a global leader in the entertainment industry.
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