New Zealand cinema can refer to films made by New Zealand-based production companies in New Zealand. However, it may also refer to films made about New Zealand by filmmakers from other countries. Due to the comparatively small size of its film industry, New Zealand produces many films that are co-financed by overseas companies. The history of cinema in New Zealand is almost as long as the medium itself. The first public screening of a motion picture took place in 1896. A documentary made in 1900 is the oldest surviving New Zealand film, while the first feature film made in New Zealand premiered in 1914. A small-scale industry developed between the 1920s and the 1960s, but it was not until the 1970s that locally made films began to attract significant audiences. From the 1990s onward, New Zealand-made films have increasingly achieved international success, including both those with local funding and themes, and those with additional foreign cooperation, such as Avatar and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Defining New Zealand film In October 1978, the New Zealand Film Commission was formalised by Parliament under the Third National Government. Under Section 17 of the New Zealand Film Commission Act 1978, the functions of the commission are to: Encourage and assist in the making, promotion, distribution and exhibition of films Encourage and promote cohesion with NZ film industry Encourage and promote maintenance of films in archives With this Act, the New Zealand film industry became more stabilised. Section 18 of the Act, entitled "Content of Films", defines what makes "a New Zealand film". To qualify, a film must have "significant New Zealand content", judged by taking into account the following: The subject of the film (settings, characters, source material, etc.) The locations at which the film was made The nationalities or places of residence of: the authors, scriptwriters, composers, producers, directors, actors, technicians, editors, etc. the owners of any company, partnership, or joint venture involved in making the film the copyright holders The sources from which the money is derived The ownership and whereabouts of the equipment and technical facilities These defining aspects have in recent years caused debate on whether films like The Frighteners and The Lord of the Rings qualify as New Zealand films. The impact of the New Zealand Film Commission upon the industry was significant in getting films made, coming to a definition of NZ Film, and helping establish