THE CINEMATIC DOCUMENTARY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 2026
The Cinematic Documentary Development Programme is a year-long professional development initiative designed to nurture and support emerging directorial voices in Aotearoa’s documentary filmmaking landscape.
Thanks to the generous support of the NZ Film Commission, Deer Heart Films is delighted to offer the opportunity for wrap-around mentorship and professional support to four directors, who are currently in the process of making their first or second feature-length documentary film.
The programme is lead by award-winning documentary filming team Miriam Smith & Chris Pryor, whose work has been hailed as “Social commentary gold” and among “the most powerfully cinematic New Zealand movies ever”. The programme will be looking to support a diverse range of directorial talent, who are seeking to bring their own unique, authentic perspectives to their documentary practice. They’re seeking directors who are creatively fearless and deeply committed to the singular power of cinema.
Directors are invited to apply with a feature-length documentary project. The project can be at any stage of the filmmaking process - from early development through to the shooting and editing stage. The programme can support both funded projects and those that have not yet received funding. Please note that permission to film with the documentary’s key subject/s must be obtained before applying - and applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
All participants in the programme must be committed to actively progressing their documentary project throughout the year of the mentorship programme.
The four directors selected for the programme will receive…
- Three mentorship sessions, timed to best support your feature-length documentary at key stages across the year.
- Five group sessions - (these being a mix of in-person group workshops in Auckland and online hui with guest speakers).
- Funding of up to NZ$1,200 per project, to be used for additional professional support while attending the programme.
- Travel and accommodation will be provided for those who live outside of Auckland to attend the group workshop days.
- A stipend of NZ$1,000 (+GST if applicable) per person.
- A 12 month free subscription to DocPlay.
KEY DATES:
The programme will run from June 2026 - June 2027.
APPLICATIONS OPEN: Monday 16 March 2026.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: Monday April 20 April 2026.
NOTIFICATION OF OUTCOME: Late-May 2026.
GROUP MEET DATES: (NB:These dates may be subject to change).
WORKSHOP DAY 1: Auckland - Friday, 12 June 2026.
ZOOM HUI Online (1pm - 2.30pm) - Wednesday, 24 June 2026.
ZOOM HUI: Online (1pm - 2.30pm) - Friday 9 October 2026.
ZOOM HUI: Online (1pm - 2.30pm) - Wednesday, 4 November 2026.
WORKSHOP DAY 2: Auckland - Saturday, 5 June 2027.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- You must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident to apply.
- A short industry-related biography.
- 1 page C.V. (Optional).
Information on the feature-length documentary project you will be working on during the mentorship.
- Confirmation you are the director of this project.
- Project title.
- Logline.
- Synopsis and/or project overview (max 1500 words). Please describe the story as you see it right now. It’s okay if you don’t know exactly how it will unfold - we just want to understand the main idea and the overall scope of the story.
- Current stage of project, (i.e. is your documentary currently in early development, shooting and/or the editing stage?).
- A brief description of the project’s history and what the next steps are, with indicative timeframes.
- Please confirm that you have permission to film with your documentary’s key subject/s.
- Director’s statement outlining your inspiration and creative vision for the project.
- A brief paragraph about how you personally connect or relate to your documentary's subject matter, and what unique insight/s might you (and only you) bring to this film?
- If applicable, please outline any key collaborators you might already have attached to the project. (i.e. list the names and roles of any other key creatives roles - e.g. producer, DOP, editor).
- Have you received any funding or other support for this project? If yes, please briefly outline the nature of this support.
- Please share up to two links that show your current project and/or previous work. (Optional).
- A short paragraph about why this mentorship programme would be beneficial to you at this time in your career and what you would like to get out of the programme.
APPLY BELOW
The Cinematic Documentary Development Programme is made possible thanks to the generous support of the New Zealand Film Commission.
Huge thanks to DocPlay for sponsoring the subscriptions.
* If you need to get in touch, please contact us through our contact page.
