THE APPROACH
An inspiring workshop series for NZ Directors, Writers and Producers approaching production of their first dramatic feature film.
Application deadline:
5pm, 16 February 2026.
Workshops dates:
Select weekends March-June 2026
Locations:
Auckland and Wellington
The Approach is supported by the New Zealand Film Commission at no cost to participants.
ABOUT THE APPROACH
The Approach was developed for emerging Aotearoa feature filmmakers to help bridge the gap between experience on small or short-form productions and the demands of larger scale independent features.
Designed and led by Rob Sarkies (Pike River, Out of the Blue, Consent, Scarfies), the programme focuses on practical creative tools developed over decades of Rob’s own work in development and production.
The Approach is not a set formula or a prescriptive method. It brings together practical tools, frameworks and perspectives to help you shape an approach to production that works for you and your project.
The programme comprises in-person weekend workshops, follow-up sessions and targeted support for filmmakers.
It is aimed at:
Emerging NZ directors preparing for their first dramatic feature.
Writer/director/producer teams developing a feature project.
Producers seeking to build their creative producing skills.
THE APPROACH OVERVIEW
Three intensive weekend workshops in Auckland and Wellington led by filmmaker Rob Sarkies
Filmmakers can apply individually for a single or multiple workshops. We also encourage teams to apply (eg a director does Workshop 1 and their producer does Workshop 3).
Places are limited to ensure small class sizes. For Workshop 1, priority will be given to directors likely to be in production on their first feature in the next 12-24 months. Projects for Workshop 2 would ideally be on a development pathway, but this could be at an early stage.
Workshop 1
Holding the Film: Directing Process from Page to Picture
2 Day Workshop for Directors
Auckland 21-22 March / Wellington 28-29 March
A detailed look at directing process from pre-pre to delivery: preparation, communication, rehearsal, shoot rhythms, blocking, and the stages of the edit and post — with many real-world examples. This is a workshop focused on processes that inspire creativity and allow you to get the best from yourself, your collaborators and your material. Rob will share aspects of his own process with a view to encourage you to develop processes that work for you and the specifics of your film.
At the heart of this workshop is the philosophy of understanding what your film is at its core and knowing the Kaupapa of it. This broadens out to working out how you want your film to feel – it’s visual/aural style, it’s performance style, it’s rhythms. Then how best to express all this to your team so you are all making the same film.
This workshop also includes follow-up support:
A group zoom session a few months after the workshop to enable directors to share their experiences or ask further questions.
Two hours of confidential one-on-one support from Rob Sarkies via Zoom. This consultation is geared towards the specifics of your project and your own creative needs — think of it as a shoulder to lean on if and when required. This consultation is available up to 12 months after the workshop.
Workshop 2
Development: Craft and Collaboration
2 Day Workshop for Writer/Director/Producer Teams
Auckland 30-31 May / Wellington 6-7 June
A deep dive into the long arc of development — ideation, structure, drafts, feedback, collaboration and working with investors. This workshop will provide a framework for development and a set of tools that can help avoid development pitfalls.
Development Craft and Collaboration will explore the differing needs of writer, director and producer. When should writers and directors be in the room together? When does the writer need to be left alone to write? How to manage creative differences respectfully. How to ensure the final screenplay is a meld of sensibilities.
For producers we will explore what the writer or writer-director needs from a producer in development. When to get in amongst it and when to step back. How to navigate funder/stakeholder feedback with your team. How a producer can elevate a script with smart targeted feedback that mostly asks questions.
The workshop will include a two hour panel of experienced creative heads to enable participants to explore other perspectives. This is a chance for development teams to explore and develop their own creative team relationships, communication and process to elevate the creative outcomes for their projects.
Workshop 3
Shepherding Creativity
2 Day Workshop For Producers
Auckland 13-14 June / Wellington 20-21 June
A creative workshop for Producers. Yes producers! Creative producing is the reality of most feature film producing in New Zealand but the creative part is often the least explored in professional development. This workshop will provide emerging and more experienced producers with a toolbox for creative guidance and how to support, challenge and inspire the writers and directors you choose to work with.
Topics include:
Making sure everyone is on the same page creatively from development into production.
Insight into stages of a director’s creative preparation to help schedule, budget and support this.
When to lead and when to follow your director.
Navigating creative HOD relationships under pressure.
Managing funding and investment requirements in a way that protects creative vision.
This is a workshop FOR producers led by a writer/director giving a rare perspective of what your creative teams need from you.
WHY THE APPROACH
The Approach was developed to help fill a gap in professional experience many emerging filmmakers face with the decline of early career advertising, television and corporate work opportunities.
It is built on the belief that emerging filmmakers benefit from:
Tools that help navigate the feature filmmaking process
Frameworks that can be adapted to individual instincts and projects
Senior support that is responsive to real questions at the right moment
Strengthening the creative culture around first films.
Practical processes that help teams survive the development and production marathon
The goal is simple: to help emerging filmmakers elevate their work creatively in the pressure-cooker of production
WHO IS THIS FOR
The Approach has been designed to help bridge the gap between short film or low-budget/small crew experience and the demands of making your first dramatic feature. It is aimed at filmmakers who are in advanced development and likely to go into production within the next 2 years whether financed by NZFC or independently.
Priority will be given to filmmakers with NZFC development funding and/or with a body of work behind them in short film, television or commercials, or who have been supported through other significant professional training opportunities such as Story Camp, Seed, Write Room, Director’s Toolkit and Film Up.
The Approach has been supported by the NZFC Industry Development Fund so is being offered at no cost to participants, with travel bursaries available to ensure filmmakers who do not live in Auckland or Wellington are able to attend.
Numbers are limited to ensure participants get maximum benefit.
An independent industry panel will make the final selection.
DATES AND LOCATIONS
HOLDING THE FILM: DIRECTING PROCESS
Auckland: 21–22 March
Wellington: 28–29 March
DEVELOPMENT: CRAFT AND COLLABORATION
Auckland: 30–31 May
Wellington: 6-7 June
SHEPHERDING CREATIVITY
Auckland: 13–14 June
Wellington: 20–21 June
A limited number of travel bursaries are available for those who live outside of Auckland and Wellington.
APPLICATION DETAILS
Applications close: 5pm, 16 February 2026
Please complete the online form and upload a single PDF with the following:
1 page self-introduction including your work history, previous film experience/projects, personal connection to the film you are working on, what you would like to get out of the workshops.
1 page description of your film (either a synopsis or concept pitch is fine - just something to give a taste of what you are making).
1 page brief project history and team introduction including information such as funding history and stage of financing and development, other creative attachments to the film, plans for production.
CV/bio of applicant.
If you are applying for workshops as a team you still need to do an individual application for each team member but can recycle the film description and project history aspects of the PDF.
All details provided about projects will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
Questions? Please use contact form or email theapproachnz@gmail.com
ABOUT ROB SARKIES
Rob is a New Zealand filmmaker who specialises in telling iconic New Zealand stories with a visceral edge. From Pike River to Out of the Blue (about the Aramoana tragedy), to Consent (about Louise Nicholas’s fight for justice), Rob has carved a niche in telling important NZ stories with drama and sensitivity.
Rob has also specialised in comedy with NZ cult classic Scarfies (starring a young Taika Waititi) and Two Little Boys (starring Bret McKenzie and Hamish Blake), both highly successful collaborations with writer brother Duncan Sarkies.
Rob’s features have screened in A-list film festivals (including Sundance, TIFF, the Berlinale) and won multiple NZ awards including Best Film and Best Director. His features have all been stellar performers at the New Zealand box office and sold widely internationally.
Rob has also worked extensively as a director on high-end NZ television with credits including multi-award winning Jean about aviator Jean Batten. His short films Signing Off and Dream-makers are amongst New Zealand’s top selling shorts and won awards all over the world.
Throughout his career Rob has shared his knowledge and experience by holding masterclasses, workshops and lectures for film-makers and film students across the country. He is the co-founder of the successful Wellington Write Room programme and regularly mentors writers and directors.