Award-winning film director Aaron Falvey, right, is hopeful plans for a film office in Marlborough will get the go-ahead from council.

Marlborough could become a magnet for movies after councillors agreed to look into plans for a regional film hub.

Award-winning film director Aaron Falvey has applied for an initial $100,000 in funding from the Marlborough District Council to establish a special film office in the area.

Councillors have given plans the green light to go forward to the next stage of submissions, passing the proposal onto the planning finance and community committee for further investigation.

If successful, Aaron believes the project can boost the economy by millions of dollars a year as well as creating new jobs.

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Aaron says he believes the long-term goal of having one-stop shop will mean a huge boom in business for the region at a time when film production crews are looking to come to New Zealand.

SCOTT HAMMOND/FAIRFAX NZ Blenheim-based director Aaron Falvey shoots his films on location in Marlborough and believes the region has a lot to offer production companies.

As the business takes off, he hopes it will need less funding from council.

"I know there are overseas film productions looking to come here but they need someone who can answer all their questions and show them where the best locations are.

"Ideally it would be great to see the production companies here not just for filming but for their entire production.

SCOTT HAMMOND/FAIRFAX NZ Director Aaron Falvey would like to see a film office set up in Marlborough to help make money for the region from overseas production companies.

"The job would be a part-time one at first while the service and infrastructure is established and a database of locations and a website are all set up.

"This can only be good news for Marlborough and is key in getting a good economic grounding as well as jobs. Filming and production could take months."

The move follows a second application for funding which was turned down by the council last year.

Aaron believes the timing is right for the ambitious plan to get the go-ahead and says the new office could initially operate out of the council offices on Seymour St in Blenheim.

"It would help keep operating costs down and hit the ground running with regard to marketing the region and networking worldwide, which is something I'd like to oversee."

He says he believes Marlborough offers the global film industry unique locations, with both inland and coastal locations all within close proximity, without the need to relocate to another region.

"It's an enormously exciting opportunity."