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Lion shooting still on for the Hurunui District

Tuesday 3 June 2008, 1:55PM

By Hurunui District Council

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CANTERBURY

Fat & Thin Productions has indicated that in spite of a lack of Council financial contribution that it still plans to shoot three days of filming in the Hurunui District on the Charles Upham feature film “Mark of the Lion”.

Recognising the source of great pride and esteem that Charles Upham is held in in the Hurunui District, the Hurunui District Council had agreed at their March meeting to task Alpine Pacific Tourism and Enterprise North Canterbury to seek the requested $50,000 funding contribution from business sponsorship, industry ‘in-kind’ services and discounts and other funding opportunities.

However, a report by Scott Pearson, Manager Alpine Pacific Tourism, discussed at today’s Council meeting said that using funding from reserves wasn’t allowable and that the in-kind assistance available “would not provide significant assistance due to the small scale filming operation planned for the Hurunui.” Despite this, there had been some success in securing support to the production company as a result of the referrals made including a potentially substantial local investor and also financial savings from a major accommodation chain.

Enterprise North Canterbury had also experienced difficulties in their pursuit of funding, finding that local businesses were uncertain about ‘returns on investment’ and were reportedly uncomfortable about providing sponsorship to what is primarily a commercial venture.

Fat & Thin Productions have indicated that given that most of Charles Upham’s life was lived in the Hurunui, that filming will still take place in the District with or without the requested $50,000 contribution, but that there will be strict limitations on the Hurunui District directly using the movie for regional promotional purposes.

The Council agreed to accept this situation.