Pacific Films
A New Zealand film production company established in Wellington in 1948.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Pacific Films was a New Zealand film production company that emerged from the post-war documentary and actuality-film environment in Wellington. It began in 1948 as the Pacific Film Unit, founded by Alun Falconer and Roger Mirams, both of whom had previously worked with New Zealand's government-operated National Film Unit. At the time, New Zealand's domestic film industry was concentrated largely on documentaries, public-information films and other short-form work rather than feature films. Pacific Films therefore operated in a field where production, technical services, distribution representation and institutional commissions were closely connected. John O'Shea joined the company in 1950 and became its central creative and managerial figure during its most important New Zealand period. The company made its first feature, Broken Barrier, in 1952. O'Shea produced and directed the film with Roger Mirams, and its production represented an important early step for locally made New Zealand narrative cinema. O'Shea subsequently produced and directed further New Zealand features, including Runaway in 1964 and Don't Let It Get You in 1966. Alongside features, Pacific Films produced a substantial body of short films, documentaries, road-safety dramas, rugby-test coverage and commercials. The business also developed connections beyond New Zealand. In 1956, Mirams moved to Australia and established a Sydney branch of the company, although he later departed to form Roger Mirams Productions. Pacific Films' activities during the 1960s included representation of international newsreel and television organizations. In 1960 it maintained an office in Courtenay Place, Wellington, and represented British Movietone News and Fox Australian Movietone News in New Zealand. By 1969, the company had a staff of approximately 15, with production facilities in Kilbirnie and an office in Lower Hutt. It also represented Hearst Metrotone News and BBC Television. Associated entities identified in contemporary business references included Pacific Television Ltd. and Pacific Films Ltd. Pacific Films is best understood as a production and media-services organization rather than a consumer-facing entertainment brand. Its work combined local filmmaking with commissioned factual production, public-safety communication, sports and commercial work, while its newsreel and television representation connected New Zealand audiences and institutions with overseas media suppliers. The available reference material documents its operations through the late 1960s and O'Shea's active period through 1970, but does not establish the company's later ownership, operating status, or a definitive closure date.
History
Pacific Films was founded in Wellington in 1948 as the Pacific Film Unit by Alun Falconer and Roger Mirams, former staff members of New Zealand's National Film Unit. The company's formation took place when most New Zealand film production consisted of government-backed documentaries and other nonfiction work. Its early development therefore reflected the limited but growing space for independent production in the country. John O'Shea joined in 1950 and became the company's principal New Zealand-based filmmaker. In 1952, he and Roger Mirams produced and directed Broken Barrier, Pacific Films' first feature film. The project was an early example of locally produced New Zealand narrative cinema. O'Shea later produced and directed Runaway in 1964 and Don't Let It Get You in 1966, while also overseeing or contributing to numerous short films and documentary productions. The company expanded its geographic reach in 1956, when Mirams relocated to Australia and established a Sydney branch. He later left to create Roger Mirams Productions. Pacific Films continued to operate in New Zealand and broadened its activities beyond feature filmmaking. Its output included road-safety dramas, documentaries, rugby-test material and commercials, demonstrating the importance of commissioned and institutional work to the company's business model. In 1960, Pacific Films had an office on Courtenay Place in Wellington and acted as the New Zealand representative for British Movietone News and Fox Australian Movietone News. By 1969, contemporary business information recorded a staff of 15, production facilities in Kilbirnie and an office in Lower Hutt. The company also represented Hearst Metrotone News and BBC Television. Pacific Television Ltd. and Pacific Films Ltd. were listed as associated companies. The documented active period associated with O'Shea extends from 1940 to 1970, and the available account identifies his work during that period as including the three New Zealand feature films made by the company. The supplied references do not provide reliable information about Pacific Films' subsequent ownership, corporate restructuring, later productions or closure. Its later status should consequently be treated as unknown rather than assumed defunct.
- 1969
Operations documented across Wellington region
[1]The company was recorded as having about 15 staff, a facility in Kilbirnie, an office in Lower Hutt, and representation agreements involving Hearst Metrotone News and BBC Television.
- 1966
Don't Let It Get You produced
[1]John O'Shea produced and directed the feature Don't Let It Get You.
- 1964
Runaway produced
[1]John O'Shea produced and directed the New Zealand feature Runaway.
- 1960
Newsreel representation expanded
[1]The company maintained a Wellington office and represented British Movietone News and Fox Australian Movietone News in New Zealand.
- 1956
Sydney branch established
[1]Roger Mirams moved to Australia and established a Sydney branch before later forming Roger Mirams Productions.
- 1952
First feature film released
[1]Broken Barrier, produced and directed by John O'Shea and Roger Mirams, became Pacific Films' first feature.
- 1950
John O'Shea joins
[1]John O'Shea joined the company and became its key New Zealand producer-director.
- 1948
Pacific Film Unit established
[1]Alun Falconer and Roger Mirams established the Pacific Film Unit in Wellington after working with New Zealand's National Film Unit.
Products and positioning
A New Zealand independent film and media-production company combining locally made narrative films and documentaries with commissioned public-information, sports and commercial work, alongside representation of overseas newsreel and television organizations.
Feature film · 1952
Broken Barrier
Pacific Films' first feature film, produced and directed in 1952 by John O'Shea and Roger Mirams. Its production marked the company's move from short-form and documentary work into locally made narrative cinema.
Feature film · 1964
Runaway
A New Zealand feature produced and directed by John O'Shea in 1964. It formed part of Pacific Films' small but significant body of locally produced narrative features during the 1950s and 1960s.
Feature film · 1966
Don't Let It Get You
A 1966 New Zealand feature produced and directed by John O'Shea. It was one of the three New Zealand feature films associated with O'Shea's Pacific Films period.
Documentary and short-form production
Documentaries and short films
Pacific Films produced numerous short films and documentaries, reflecting the central role of nonfiction and commissioned production in New Zealand's mid-century independent film sector.
Public-information film
Road-safety dramas
The company produced scores of road-safety dramas and related public-information films. These works formed part of its commissioned production business alongside documentaries and commercials.
Sports film and television
Rugby-test films and coverage
Pacific Films produced material relating to rugby tests, adding sports coverage to its documentary, public-information and commercial activities.
Sources2 sources
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