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On Giving: Amanda Jenkins
Stories from our givers – Boosted edition! In this series, we're shining a light on our generous giving community – inviting our generous community of givers across the country to tell us how and why they give to the arts. Introducing: talented filmmaker and regular Boosted giver: Amanda Jenkins!
Tell us a bit about you?
I am a screen producer/line producer based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, and have just line produced three amazing unique New Zealand feature films over the past three years that are all premiering this month in cinemas nation wide: 'We Were Dangerous', 'Head South', and 'Bookworm' – all filmed in Christchurch and Canterbury. The films were recipients of the Screen CanterburyNZ Production Grant: the only regional screen grant in the country, that is well on the way to prove market success regionally through economic development, growth, and NZ talent development.
I have just completed a NZFC Short film called 'Sister Josephine' wth award-winning director Stef Harris that was a successful Boosted project, now on it's international film festival circuit. I have a number of other screen productions that are lining up for Boosted Campaigns - so watch this space.
What was the first creative experience that turned the light on for you?
At film school I realised that I was good at creative problem solving, making things happen, passionate to enable stories for screen which fuelled a passion to produce films. For 25 years I have straddled between producing screen in the advertising, and dramatic sector – one pays the bills and the other creates unique stories that are important to tell for a global audience. The goal is to make my career sustainable in screen, and help build a strong screen community.
Why do you give to the arts? And in what ways?
I am very passionate about talent development, and have always given a huge amount of time in this area, supporting short films for directors and writers as a stepping stone to features and TV series. I love Boosted as it gives a wider audience opportunity to give to and support unique stories through the diverse mediums of the creative sector.
Why do you choose to give through Boosted?
I support and place a huge value in the creative sector, it is so important to be able to tell stories through different media. However, for me it is through screen as medium that transcends through multi faceted stories reaching other corners of society. It is so hard to finance screen projects OR get enough funding for projects that Boosted has become a backbone to enable and champion projects to happen.
What do the arts give you?
Satisfaction to view the creative sector broadly, and enjoy different points of view that can be celebrated through human connection.
What do you think New Zealand needs to do in order to better support the arts?
Create supportive development programmes that help pay the creatives a stipend, that cover all sectors of the arts. Ring fence government and local government funding annually. Create alternative investment platforms to support screen production and enable and prove market success regionally through economic development, growth and NZ talent development.
