The Friends of the Civic
was formed on the 14th August 1989 by Sir James Wallace, Peter Wells and Stewart Main to:
"Promote the maintenance, restoration and operation of the Civic Theatre .... to the end that it once again becomes a major civic amenity permanently available for the use and enjoyment of the people and visitors to Auckland, and as an integral and complimentary part of the Aotea Centre" ....... to " adopt such means as making known (whether locally, nationally or internationally) the activities and objects of the Board and facilities, displays, exhibitions..... and any other form of literature or materials for the promotion of the Board's objectives"..... and "grant bursaries or scholarships for the purposes of promoting and actively assisting in the promoting of the aforesaid objects of the Board".
To this end the Friends of the Civic have worked tirelessly to have the Civic Theatre restored and recognised as one of the world's great 'Atmospheric Picture Palaces'. Now that the Civic is restored and opened to the public we have turned our focus on young film makers by introducing the 'Friends of the Civic Short Film Award'. This Award is bestowed every year at the New Zealand International Film Festival held at the Civic Theatre and aims to encourage the art of film making and to recognise the capabilities and talent of New Zealand film makers. The Golden Elephant Trophy and $3000 is gifted by the Friends of the Civic to the winning film maker, thus keeping the association of the Cinema with Auckland's Civic Theatre.
READ more about THE MIGHTY CIVIC - the movie by Peter Wells, Stewart Main & Sir James Wallace that was the catalyst for the beginning of the Friends of the Civic Charitable Trust HERE
ADD YOUR MEMORIES or STORIES about the Civic Theatre; and read the memories of others visit our TALKLINE click HERE
Do you have Civic Theatre MEMORABILLIA - let us know HERE
For more information on the Short Film Award click HERE
VIEW trailor of KING KONGS RAMAGE - filmed in the Civic Theatre HERE