[5] NZ on Screen calls Existence a "low budget," "salvagepunk" film, and describes it as "a rare entry in the Kiwi sci-fi feature catalogue.
[5] Existence is also notable because the production team is "predominantly" female, including the producers Mhairead Connor and Melissa Dodds.
[5] Meridian Energy gave the filmmakers special permission to film at the Makara West Wind Farm,[5][8] on Wellington's south coast, as part of a 24-day shoot.
[5] That year the Escalator scheme offered financial and other support to provide "four teams of talented, visionary filmmakers a fast track to making a first feature film.
"[9] Beyond the funding, the Existence team have praised the Escalator scheme's additional benefits, especially its "boot camp" (a 4-day workshop),[11] calling it "a great stepping-stone into feature film production.