Film Dunedin Drops a Showreel with a Twist
Produced in-house by Stefan Roesch at Film Dunedin (Dunedin City Council), the piece stars award-winning comedian James Mustapic. It starts as a straight-up audition tape, then quickly spirals into something much more fun, as James moves through a series of eccentric characters across Dunedin’s most recognisable locations.
Each “audition” gets a little more chaotic, a little more unexpected, until it becomes clear that while James might not land the role, Dunedin absolutely does. The city ends up stealing the spotlight, showcasing its range, personality, and on-screen potential without ever feeling like a traditional promo.
While the goal is to attract more international productions, there’s another layer here too. The piece leans into storytelling in a way that taps into film tourism, showing a version of Dunedin audiences might not have seen before and making it genuinely memorable.
It’s a smart reminder of where things are heading across Aotearoa. Regions aren’t just listing locations anymore, they’re telling stories, and using creative to stand out in a very competitive global production landscape.
Related articles
