We’re thrilled to announce that Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival will be returning to cinemas this winter. Under the guidance of our newly appointed Artistic Director for 2024, respected international film festival programmer, film critic and producer, Paolo Bertolin, NZIFF will screen in four cities in eight venues across Aotearoa.  

NZIFF 2024 will screen in The Embassy, Roxy Cinema and Light House Cinema Cuba in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington (31 July – 11 August), The Civic, Hollywood Avondale and ASB Waterfront Theatre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland (7 –18 August), The Regent Theatre in Ōtepoti Dunedin (14 – 25 August), and Lumière Cinemas in Ōtautahi Christchurch (15 August – 1 September).  

Paolo brings with him a wealth of film festival experience from all corners of the globe, with credentials including his ongoing association with the Venice International Film Festival and past affiliations with Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight, the Locarno Film Festival, the Doha Film Institute, Mumbai Film Festival, and Nyon Visions du Réel, amongst others. He has a strong appreciation for Aotearoa film, having visited New Zealand regularly over the past decade as part of his programming remit for Venice International Film Festival.  

Bertolin says, “I feel deeply honoured by this appointment as Artistic Director of the New Zealand International Film Festival. It is an inspiring professional challenge, and I am excited to engage with audiences in Aotearoa in creating a program that shares with them the riches of contemporary cinema.”  

“This opportunity feels especially meaningful to me because my earliest and fondest cinephile memories include the enchantment of viewing early Jane Campion short films on the Italian PBS back in 1989, as well as being dazzled by the rapturous discovery of Peter Jackson’s Heavenly Creatures at the 1994 Venice International Film Festival. I feel truly enthused to work with and for New Zealand audiences and filmmakers exactly on the 30th anniversary of Heavenly Creatures and of Lee Tamahori's Once Were Warriors.”  

We acknowledge that for some of you the festival won’t be screening in your town or city this year and we appreciate that this will be disappointing. After a challenging few years navigating a number of significant impacts, we’ve had to adapt the festival to ensure its future viability. We sincerely thank you for your support of the festival and we hope to return to a cinema near you in the future.  

Stay tuned for further announcements regarding NZIFF 2024 over the coming months ahead of the festival’s launch in July.