Filmed in the South Island over 25 days, Human Traces is written and directed by Christchurch-raised Nic Gorman, who was part of the Court Theatre’s improv group in the city for eight years before moving to Wellington in 2004.

Human Traces stars Sophie Henderson and Mark Mitchinson as a husband-and-wife scientist team sent to rid a Subantarctic island of pests.  When a mysterious young man (played by Vinnie Bennett, who attended Aranui High's drama academy) arrives at the remote research station, secrets threaten the couple’s relationship in a hostile wilderness, 750-km south of New Zealand. The film was shot in two South Island locations, Banks Peninsula and the Catlins.

“I’ve long been fascinated by the dark history of Subantarctic islands. Our fictional location is loosely based on Campbell Island. I was researching its geography and the upper slopes of Campbell Island reminded me of Banks Peninsula with its tussock spurs, volcanic rocks and sharp outcrops. We amalgamated this location with the rugged and dramatic coastline of the Catlins to create our island on the screen,” says director and writer Nic Gorman.

The film’s cinematographer, John Chrisstoffels, has been teaching filmmaking at the University of Canterbury for about 25 years. About half the crew are from Christchurch, including producer Nadia Maxwell and production designer Martin Gorzeman.

The World Premiere will be held on the second night of the Festival on 4 August at the Isaac Theatre Royal.

Further festival screening dates will be confirmed for Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin. The full NZIFF programme for Christchurch will be available online from Monday 10 July 7pm and on the streets from Tuesday 11 July.