A New Zealand film producer believes it's time a major movie studio is built in Southland.
Murray Francis, who will produce the remake of Goodbye Pork Pie later this year said studio space was becoming increasingly difficult to find as New Zealand's film industry booms.
Mr Francis said the government tax incentives, for film companies, had increased film production to levels never seen before.
"We've got so many people coming down here, Twentieth Century Fox, Disney, Dreamworks are here."
He said studio space was needed and it made sense to build a studio in Southland, close to where many outdoor scenic shots were filmed.
But some are urging caution. Queenstown television producer Philip Smith said the venture would be very risky, as while the industry was on a high at the moment, that may not always be the case.
He said film production was very fickle and susceptible to exchange rates and tax relief conditions globally and to invest millions in a studio may not be a wise move.
Film Otago Southland executive manager Kevin Jennings said the idea did enjoy some industry support and it was not a new discussion.
"Yes it is something that will happen, but I sort of think there will be a natural evolution or there will be a time and a place for it to happen."
Venture Southland group enterprise manager Steve Canny said they had already been looking at the idea.
He said a clearer understanding of the long-term demand for such a facility would be needed because its viability may be questionable.
Murray Francis said he would continue to push the idea and said if it did happen it could transform the Southland region as a top class film destination.
