The Selwyn District has been nominated as one of five finalists in the Screen International 2025 Global Production Awards.
The stunning Selwyn scenery provided the backdrop to several major productions, and will be competing against Maraya in Saudi Arabia, the Moab Desert in Utah, Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna and Ravenscourt Park Hospital in London.
The awards celebrate outstanding and sustainable work in the world of film and TV production, locations and studios and the winners will be announced at the Cannes Film Festival on 19 May.
The Selwyn entry was part of a wider awards submission by Screen Canterbury, which also resulted in nominations for Canterbury in the Economic & Social Impact and Emerging Location categories.
“Selwyn District’s breathtaking and diverse landscapes have provided the perfect backdrop for recent productions, including Bookworm and Went Up the Hill,” said Executive Director Community Facilities and Services at the Selwyn District Council, Denise Kidd.
“These films have highlighted the region’s varied scenery – from expansive flatlands to rolling foothills and the majestic Southern Alps; reinforcing Selwyn’s reputation as a prime filming destination.”
Ms Kidd thanked Screen Canterbury and ChristchurchNZ for initiating the entries and congratulated the other Canterbury locations and productions for their nominations.
ChristchurchNZ’s head of Screen CanterburyNZ, Petrina D’Rozario said it was fantastic to see Canterbury pick up three nominations including the auspicious Selwyn location recognised in the awards.
“Our region boasts some of New Zealand’s most dramatic landscapes and the education and talent pathways in place are growing capacity in the industry. The regional Screen Grant is providing incredible return on investment and highly effective in luring big productions here, all contributing to a brighter future for our regional screen sector,” said Ms D’Rozario.
The Selwyn nomination sits amongst some illustrious company that includes productions like Wicked, Bridgerton, Mean Girls, Lockerbie, Love Hurts, The Day of the Jackal and Bridget Jones.
Ms Kidd said the Council’s Kai Aku Rika Economic Development Strategy identifies destination management as a key priority – positioning Selwyn as an attractive place to visit and do business.
“This global nomination puts Selwyn on the map. The presence of these productions has had a positive impact on the district, bringing economic benefits to local businesses and further raising Selwyn’s profile within the screen industry,” she said.
“Coupled with a welcoming community that embraces the screen industry, this combination makes Selwyn an attractive and practical choice for productions of all scales.”
