Chris Payne is part of the senior management team at the New Zealand Film Commission. As Head of International Relations, he connects New Zealand filmmakers and industry with the very best international partners, projects and business/career development opportunities. Chris has a particular focus on facilitating official film and television co-productions under New Zealand’s 18 bilateral co-production treaties and agreements, including with Australia.

He has extensive engagement with Asia, including leading delegations of New Zealand producers and industry to China, Singapore and Taiwan, and he regularly attends key film festivals and markets in Asia, Europe and North America in support of New Zealand filmmakers, films and future projects.

Prior to his time at the NZFC, Chris worked in development and production at Tokyo-based production company, 100 Meter Films and in screenwriting/development and production roles in the New Zealand screen industry on a wide range of local and international productions. He has also worked as business development manager at one of New Zealand’s leading commercial law firms and is a former executive committee member of the Japan New Zealand Business Council.