Bill Gosden was recognised for his contribution to the film industry at a small investiture ceremony at Government House in Wellington this afternoon.
Until his retirement last year, Bill was the director of the New Zealand International Film Festival, bringing the best and most distinctive of New Zealand and international film making to audiences throughout the country and providing a vital platform for new film makers and diverse local communities.
Bill received the insignia of an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM)
The citation:
TO RECEIVE THE INSIGNIA OF AN OFFICER OF THE NEW ZEALAND ORDER OF MERIT
Mr Bill Gosden, for services to the film industry
Bill Gosden created and developed the New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) from 1979 until his retirement in 2019, bringing the latest and most distinctive of New Zealand and international filmmaking to audiences throughout the country every winter.
Over the years Mr Gosden brought together film festivals that had previously competed to create the amalgamated NZIFF. In the year of his retirement NZIFF played in 14 centres from Auckland to Gore to a total audience of more than 264,000. He has been a champion for New Zealand filmmakers, making NZIFF the initial screening venue for many of our most significant filmmakers, and a vital platform for emergent voices and the representation of diverse local communities. He has also served as a Governor of the New Zealand Arts Foundation since 2011 and has been involved in selecting the Foundation's Icon Awards. Mr Gosden was previously appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2001 for his services to the film industry.
