Film Bay of Plenty gets $44,000 grant for He Kōrero Tuku Iho project
Film Bay of Plenty has secured a $44,000 grant from the ScreenRights Cultural Fund to launch He Kōrero Tuku Iho – Stories Carried Forward. The initiative aims to help regional residents turn lived experiences and cultural backgrounds into screen narratives through workshops and supported story labs across Tauranga, Rotorua, and Whakatāne.
Funding Regional Voices Through the ScreenRights Cultural Fund
The $44,000 allocation awarded to Film Bay of Plenty is part of a broader $293,400 distribution across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand by the 2026 ScreenRights Cultural Fund. This year’s funding cycle centered specifically on Learning Through Story, targeting initiatives that increase access and participation for creators who traditionally operate outside major metropolitan production hubs.
Film Bay of Plenty CEO Jade Kent noted that talent exists widely within local communities, but structural barriers often block creators from taking the first step. "There is no shortage of powerful stories within our communities," Kent said, adding that the missing element is usually formal instruction on how to shape those narratives for the screen and handle industry next steps.
Structure and Delivery of He Kōrero Tuku Iho
By taking the initiative directly into different parts of the Bay, organizers intend to create welcoming entry points for participants who might otherwise face geographical or social hurdles.
Filmmaker Kim Webby will lead the design and delivery of the program, collaborating alongside established screen practitioners Briar Grace-Smith, Mike Jonathan, and Tim Worrall. Together, the leadership team brings professional experience spanning writing, directing, documentary filmmaking, drama, and culturally grounded storytelling. Participants will study core elements of screen storytelling—including narrative structure, character development, and voice—before applying those lessons directly to their own ideas with guidance from the practitioner mentors.
Focus on Learning and Digital Access
Rather than jumping straight into commercial production, He Kōrero Tuku Iho focuses squarely on education and skill-building within a supported environment. Organizers have also built logistical support into the project to help reduce travel barriers for attendees across the region. Portions of the learning process will be captured and developed into a digital resource, ensuring the programme's reach extends far beyond the immediate workshop participants to strengthen overall storytelling capability across the region.