Wānaka Filmmakers receive $10,000 boost to capture Aotearoa New Zealand’s fascination with the Southern Lights.
A new documentary exploring Aotearoa New Zealand’s growing fascination with the Southern Lights is set to go into production after Wānaka production company Bunker Street Film Co. was awarded the inaugural $10,000 Short Film Otago Southern Documentary Accelerator Stage Three Production Grant.
The grant was delivered through Short Film Otago’s three-stage Southern Documentary Accelerator programme, which is funded and supported by Film Queenstown Lakes (part of Queenstown Lakes District Council), Film Otago Southland and Central Lakes Trust. The $10,000 grant will help bring Don’t Whistle at the Aurora to screens, shining a spotlight on the people who brave cold nights in pursuit of one of nature’s most spectacular phenomena.
Produced by Erin Murdie and directed and filmed by Joe Murdie, the 20-minute documentary is set in the Queenstown Lakes district and explores the growing interest in the Aurora Australis.
“Don’t Whistle at the Aurora is about the people drawn to the thrill, wonder and pursuit of the Southern Lights. From those discovering the aurora for the first time to dedicated aurora chasers, it explores the fascination with this natural phenomenon that captivates us all,”
says producer Erin Murdie.
The Southern Lakes provides a natural backdrop for the documentary, reflecting the region’s growing interest in dark skies, astrophotography and aurora tourism.
For Bunker Street Film Co., the Stage Three funding represents an important milestone, enabling the filmmakers to move from development into production, with filming planned for spring 2026.
“This funding means we can finally take the project into production,”
says Murdie.
“It’s particularly exciting to be able to tell a story like this here in the Southern Lakes, with support from initiatives that invest directly into local filmmakers and locally made stories.”
George Dawes, Chair of Film Otago Southland, says supporting projects such as Don’t Whistle at the Aurora demonstrates the value of developing local talent and investing in southern documentary filmmaking.
“Don’t Whistle at the Aurora is a strong example of the kind of southern story the Documentary Accelerator was established to support,” says Dawes. “The project has a clear sense of place, a compelling subject and a credible team behind it. It’s exciting to see the project progress from development through to production, and we look forward to seeing where Erin and Joe take it.”
Kahli Scott, Manager of Film Queenstown Lakes and Co-Manager of Film Otago Southland, adds:
“Our support of the inaugural Short Film Otago Documentary Accelerator reflects Council’s commitment to growing the capability of the local film industry and encouraging the creation of local content that leverages the district’s strengths. A project like Don’t Whistle at the Aurora, which celebrates our region’s outstanding natural environment and adventurous communities, is an excellent outcome from the programme.”
The Southern Documentary Accelerator is a Short Film Otago initiative designed to support emerging documentary filmmakers across Otago and Southland, helping filmmakers develop their documentary storytelling and filmmaking style from conception through to production.
The Accelerator operates across three stages. Don’t Whistle at the Aurora was one of three projects to receive Stage Two development funding before progressing to Stage Three, where it was selected as the sole recipient of the $10,000 production grant.
The filmmakers of Don’t Whistle at the Aurora are continuing to build partnerships ahead of production and welcome enquiries from those interested in supporting the project or learning more.
https://www.bunkerstreet.co.nz/dontwhistle
https://www.sfo.nz/documentary
