Serendipitous or good timing – both are fitting ways to describe the launch of Bay of Plenty Film's new website.

The new website, which has been in development for several months now and was launched this week, aims to attract both national and international film productions to the Bay of Plenty.

Its launch also follows in the wake of the government's announcement last week that it will invest $300 million into New Zealand's film industry over the next four years as part of Budget 2017.

Along with an ever growing gallery of location photos, BOP Film's website also features an impressive showreel showcasing the vast array of locations the Bay has to offer – from White Island, to the Rotorua Redwoods, to Mount Maunganui at sunset.

BOP Film general manager Anton Steel says every time he heads overseas, film makers he talks to say they would love to bring a film job to New Zealand.

'They are impressed by the variety and beauty of the locations available and the reputation of our crews. It is a very desirable location to come and film in.”

Recently, Anton attended the Association of Film Commissioners International Film Locations show held in Los Angeles and worked the NZ Film Commission Booth, alongside representatives from regional film offices Screen Auckland and Screen Wellington.

The New Zealand Film Commission's booth at the Association of Film Commissioners International Film Locations show.

During this time he had the opportunity to share the Bay of Plenty Film website and showreel with top movie producers, location scouts for major Hollywood productions and one of the top commercials directors in the world.

As a result Anton is fielding serious enquiries from international film productions.

'Last week I was able to provide location photos to an international shoot looking to shoot in the Bay, whereas in the past, when no one was representing and marketing the region, this opportunity would have passed the Bay by.”

Anton says New Zealand's film Industry is worth $3.3 billion each year and employs more than 14,000 people, and the Bay of Plenty Film Trust aims to bring some of that windfall to the region, alongside the longer term flow on effects to other industries like tourism and technology.

They are working with the regions councils and local funding bodies toward operating a fully resourced film office from early July.

Alongside the goal of attracting national and international projects to shoot here, BOP Film is also focused on growing the capacity of the local industry and have recently run several workshops, including one focusing on Virtual Reality and another on directing.

'The website will be further developed over the coming months, building in a crew and services directory and highlighting events such as the upcoming Screen-Safe Roadshow and the workshops for the International Youth Silent Film Festival they running in conjunction with Baycourt.”

Bay of Plenty Film general manager Anton Steel (far left) at the Location Managers Guild International Awards held in Burbank, California, in April.