What do this year’s films from Aotearoa reveal? That our filmmakers are asking big questions, pushing into new territory, and telling stories with wit, courage and care. It is a line-up full of range and ambition, from gothic thrillers and offbeat comedies to powerful documentaries and deeply personal portraits.

Kicking things off is The Weed Eaters, a horror-comedy with bite. A mysterious strain of weed turns a group of stoner mates into reluctant cannibals, and things unravel fast. Shot on a shoestring and powered by pure creativity, it’s chaotic, clever and destined to gain cult status. NZIFF Artistic Director Paolo Bertolin calls it a “positively crazy finding”, and one of the “must-see thrills” of this year’s festival. 

If you prefer your chills with a slower burn, Went Up the Hill delivers in spades. Filmed in rural Canterbury and starring Dacre Montgomery (Stranger Things) and Vicky Krieps (Phantom Thread), this gothic psychodrama brings ghosts, grief and some genuinely unsettling twists. 

Workmates finds charm, heartbreak and humour in the wings of a crumbling Auckland theatre. Directed by Sophie Henderson and Curtis Vowell, this romantic dramedy draws on real-life experience to celebrate the chaos of creative work and the moments of magic that make it worthwhile.

Kaikohe Blood and Fire is an absorbing documentary about two MMA fighters from the Far North with big dreams and deep ties to their community. It’s a compelling story of ambition, resilience and self-belief, told with grit and authenticity.

Māori art takes the spotlight in TOITŪ Visual Sovereignty, which follows curator Nigel Borrell as he brings the landmark exhibition Toi Tū Toi Ora to life. It’s an eye-opening look at the creative process and the ongoing fight for cultural space and recognition.

On the more surreal end of the spectrum, Notes from a Fish follows a struggling writer on a wild journey through Auckland’s rare fish black market. Part noir, part comedy, part fever dream. This one is hard to explain, but very easy to enjoy.

Two new music documentaries dive deep into the lives of local legends. Life in One Chord is punk icon Shayne Carter’s story, told with wit and a fair bit of chaos, and narrated by Carol Hirschfeld. Anchor Me: The Don McGlashan Story reveals the quieter side of one of Aotearoa’s most beloved songwriters, from The Mutton Birds to solo work and everything in between.

We’re also honoured to present two films from Dame Gaylene Preston, a pioneering New Zealand filmmaker whose work has shaped the landscape of local cinema for decades. Grace: A Prayer for Peace is an intimate portrait of iconic Kiwi artist Dame Robin White, capturing her life, work and ongoing creative journey. War Stories Our Mothers Never Told Us, returning to the Festival thirty years after its original premiere, remains one of the most powerful films ever made in Aotearoa, a deeply moving record of women’s wartime experiences, told in their own words.

And remember, many of our homegrown film sessions sell out quickly, so the best way to secure your seat is with a 10-Trip Multipass which gives you pre-sale access (Auckland and Wellington only) before tickets go on sale to the general public.