We annually hand pick an international selection of films to feature in our World Strand, the largest section in the catalogue. Close attention is paid to films lavished with praise or box office success in their countries of origin, as well as films that have struck programmers as highlights from a year’s worth of intense viewing that ended only three weeks ago in Cannes.

Though we aim to be as international as possible, we don’t believe in token representation. This year several countries are represented in this section, and we’ve been really struck by the strength of the latest Italian, Spanish and French cinema in particular.

Along with an impressive reveal of sneak titles, we are delighted to announce that the World Strand at NZIFF is sponsored for the first time in 2016 by 2degrees.

 “2degrees is proud to be partnering with the New Zealand International Film Festival for 2016. This is our first year as sponsors and we are excited about supporting such a fantastic line up of films in the World Strand across New Zealand.” says 2degrees Chief Marketing Officer Roy Ong.

We know Everybody Wants Some more sneaks, so we recommend diving in.

After the Storm
Director/Screenplay/Editor: Kore-eda Hirokazu | Japan 2016
A formerly successful novelist tries to reconnect with his ex-wife and young son in this affectionate, shrewdly observed drama of family life from Japan’s unassuming master, Kore-eda Hirokazu (Our Little Sister).

Everybody Wants Some!!
Director/Screenplay: Richard Linklater | USA 2016
Richard Linklater follows Boyhood by recalling his own first days at college in this hilarious, deeply relaxed comedy about male bonding, set in the bars, discos, parties and frat houses of 1980 Austin.

Perfect Strangers
Director: Paolo Genovese | Italy 2016
A gathering of old friends accepts the challenge to share all incoming calls and messages. It’s a game you won’t want to emulate at your next dinner party, but dammit, you’ll be thinking about it.

Suburra
Director: Stefano Sollima | Italy/France 2015
This bloody, brutal crime saga boasts the epic sprawl of the mob classics it emulates, but with a lurid energy all of its own. With a throbbing score from electronic heavyweights M83.

The Innocents
Director: Anne Fontaine | France/Poland 2016
Based on a true story from post-World War II Poland, this satisfying drama follows a young female French doctor who finds herself caught up in the lives of nuns, traumatised and shamed by their wartime suffering.

Things to Come
Director/Screenplay: Mia Hansen-Løve | France 2016
Isabelle Huppert essays a self-possessed woman confronting unexpected changes in her life and work in Mia Hansen-Løve’s heartfelt and perceptive portrait of middle age.

Truman
Director: Cesc Gay | Spain/Argentina 2015
Argentine Ricardo Darín and Spaniard Javier Cámara are beautifully paired in the most garlanded Spanish film of the year, a warm and humorous drama of male friendship shaded with imminent mortality.