Screentime New Zealand unveils Queenstown’s first studio facility

Remarkable Studios NZ is the town’s first studio facility and is set to transform television and film capabilities in the area, prompting local creative sector growth and employment.

Famously used as the backdrop to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Queenstown has long been used by producers for its rugged alpine landscape, lakes, farms and historic towns. However, until now, producers had no option but to resort to Auckland for studio facilities in the territory.

Philly de Lacey, CEO, Screentime New Zealand, said: “Offering an unrivalled and diverse landscape, Queenstown has never struggled to attract filmmakers. However, without wet cover and studio facilities, it struggled to serve a whole production. In launching Remarkable Studios NZ, we are confident we will boost the region’s appeal beyond adrenaline tourism, driving creative economic uplift, and importantly, skills and jobs. With the local council’s strong support of the district’s film and television sector, we are proud to be delivering an ambitious first for this area and look forward to opening our doors to the world’s best content creators.”

Marco Bassetti, CEO, and Fred Balmary, Chief Business Officer, Banijay Entertainment, commented: “Remarkable Studios NZ further demonstrates Philly’s entrepreneurialism, creative vision, and universal ambition. Standing as our tenth studio globally, but certainly first in a re-purposed department store, the groundbreaking facilities have emerged at the perfect moment – a time when production costs are soaring, and producers everywhere are looking for economical solutions. In Queenstown, producers now have the luxury of a multitude of locations, as well as a reasonable, fully functioning production complex. We have no doubt its popularity will serve positively for the region’s economic growth.”

Queenstown Lakes District Council Mayor Glyn Lewers added: “This news signals an exciting future for the film and television industry in Queenstown Lakes. Film has been an important contributor to our local economy for decades, thanks to our cinematic alpine locations, skilled crew base and welcoming communities. But having a dedicated film and television facility to add to that package will unlock more opportunities for our local industry. Screentime is also a key player in the New Zealand production community, so we’re thrilled that it’s decided to establish a base here in our beautiful region.”

Only five minutes from Queenstown airport, and close to a selection of hotels, Remarkable Studios NZ is based in the heart of a retail precinct. The fully sound-proofed 2300m² studio is in fact a recently vacated, and re-purposed, department store. Rented by the Screentime NZ team for its five-month shoot on A Remarkable Place to Die – which makes its debut at MIPCOM ’24 – it boasts office areas, construction spaces, general facilities and a fully functioning loading bay away from the filming space.

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