The Government has reached a deal with Hollywood film studios to have the next three Avatar movies made in New Zealand.
It has also announced that it will increase the baseline tax rebate for big screen productions from 15 to 20 per cent in an effort to help the film industry in this country.
Film productions which get points for special benefits to New Zealand will be eligible for an extra five per cent tax rebate.
So it's possible the three Avatar films, if they meet the criteria, could get a 25 per cent rebate.
The deal with Lightstorm Entertainment and Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation includes the companies spending $500 million in New Zealand and providing employment and skills opportunities for locals.
Film-makers Jame Cameron and John Landau have also offered to serve as founding members of a new screen advisory board, which will provide advice and guidance to New Zealand film makers attempting to succeed internationally.
The 3 Avatar sequels will be made in NZ, providing enormous economic benefits & creating hundreds of jobs #nzfilm
— John Key (@johnkeypm) December 15, 2013
— Toby Manhire (@toby_etc) December 15, 2013
I just hope there was something in the deal about no more Papyrus subtitles. #Avatar
— Vaughn Davis (@vaughndavis) December 15, 2013
