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Dame Gaylene Preston’s GRACE: A Prayer for Peace has struck a profound chord with audiences at NZIFF 2025. The documentary traces the remarkable life and work of artist Dame Robin White, whose career has spanned from small-town New Zealand realism to large-scale Pacific collaborations, always driven by a spirit of connection and resilience.

At Sunday’s packed Wellington screening, the film was met with a standing ovation - testament to both the power of Preston’s filmmaking and the enduring impact of White’s vision. 

"This project is a beautiful tribute that reminds us how art and creation can highlight the harsh reminders and realities of humanity. It is a film that can only be experienced, through shedded tears, shared chuckles, reflective warmth and a more invigorated movement to create a world better than we left." - Taylor Lee, Craccum

Due to demand, we’re delighted to be able to announce three special encore screenings:

Lumiere Cinemas, Christchurch - Weds 27 Aug, 5:00pm

Massey University, Wellington - Tue 26 Aug, 6:15pm

The Screening Room, Masterton - Weds 10 Sept, 6:00pm

These added sessions offer festival-goers a final chance to experience Preston’s deeply moving portrait of an artist whose work continues to inspire across generations

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Missed out on tickets? Here’s your second chance! 

NZIFF encore screenings and late additions are your opportunity to catch some of this year’s most in-demand films and surprise new additions for a limited time in Christchurch.

Monday 25 August
2.00pm The President’s Cake 
6.00pm Sirât 
6.30pm Lesbian Space Princess 
8.15pm Plainclothes 

Tuesday 26 August
2.00pm Put Your Hand on Your Soul and Walk 
6.15pm Prime Minister 
6.15pm Prime Minister 
8.15pm Ebony & Ivory 

Wednesday 27 August
2.45pm Kokuho 
3.00pm It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley 
5.00pm GRACE A Prayer for Peace 
6.15pm Trains 
8.15pm Pavements 

Thursday 28 August
1.00pm Resurrection 
1.50pm Cutting Through Rocks 
3.45pm Two Prosecutors 
4.00pm One to One: John & Yoko 
6.00pm Bring Them Down 
6.00pm Sentimental Value 

Friday 29 August
3.00pm Riefenstahl 
5.15pm The Wolves Always Come at Night 
7.15pm Forgotten Silver 

Saturday 30 August
11.50am Kokuho 
3.00pm The Secret Agent 
3.50pm Angel’s Egg 
5.15pm A Little Something Extra 
6.15pm Nouvelle Vague 
7.15pm Angel’s Egg 

Sunday 31 August
11.45am It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley 
4.00pm Breathless 
4.15pm It Was Just an Accident 
5.45pm Mistress Dispeller 
6.15pm Vie Privée 
8.15pm Exit 8 

Film fans from across the capital flocked to Massey University Theatre on 16 August for screenings of both programmes of Ngā Whanaunga: Aotearoa New Zealand’s Best – aka, the country’s top short films. 

A jury of four – Alex Liu, Mike Jonathan, Kate Rodger and Mathias Taylor – had the difficult job of picking out the prizewinners from a stellar selection. They decided on Womb, by Ira Hetaraka for the competition's top prize, the Umbrella Best Short Film Award. See all the rest of the winners below, and check out the photos from the afternoon here.

Congratulations to everyone who entered a film this year, and applause to everyone who took home an award.

Umbrella Entertainment Best Short Film Award:
Womb by Ira Hetaraka

Auckland Live Spirit of the Civic Award:
Growing Still by Alyx Duncan

Wellington UNESCO Creative City of Film Emerging Talent Award:
Stage Challenge by Stella Reid

Letterboxd Award for Māori Pasifika Talent:
Mirumiru by Allan George
Picking Crew by Tanu Gago

Best Performance Award:
Nora Aati for I Am Not Your Dusky Maiden by Vea Mafile'o

Best Artistic Contribution Award:
Michael Cong for the Cinematography of When the Geese Flew by Arthur Gay

Special Mention:
Nausea by Elliott Louis

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Join us tomorrow at Lumière Cinemas (Bernhardt) in Ōtautahi Christchurch for a screening of Grace: A Prayer for Peace, followed by an in-person Q&A with acclaimed filmmaker Gaylene Preston.

This luminous documentary offers a tender and richly textured portrait of Dame Robin White, one of Aotearoa’s most significant living artists. Preston’s approach is subtle yet masterful—she resists grand pronouncements in favour of quiet moments of insight, such as when White reflects on her own painting: “This is me as a young painter trying to figure out how to paint.” 

Filmed across Aotearoa, Japan, and Kiribati, the film traces White’s evolving artistic journey. It captures her in full creative vigour—collaborating across cultures, inspired by her Bahá’í faith and unwavering belief in peace and shared humanity. The result is beautifully minimal storytelling that is deeply moving and profoundly resonant.

Grace stands as “a prayer for peace,” not passive reflection but an act of imaginative resistance—filled with inventiveness, warmth, quiet wit, and enduring hope. 

This Q&A with Gaylene Preston is a rare chance to hear the director’s own reflections on Robin White’s artistry, the film’s creative vision, and why these themes feel urgent in our time. Whether you are deeply familiar with Preston’s

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This year, NZIFF is rolling out the red carpet for the people in (and behind) the films.

From intimate Q&As to powerful opening night intros, over 50 live events across Aotearoa will bring filmmakers out from behind the camera and into the spotlight. You'll get the chance to see, hear from, and connect with an incredible line-up of local and international directors, actors, writers, and creatives - all appearing in person at screenings, workshops and panels nationwide.

Please note that guest appearances and live events may be subject to change. 

INTERNATIONAL GUESTS 

Dacre Montgomery 

Stranger Things star Dacre Montgomery appears in person with his haunting new feature, Went Up the Hill

Auckland – Wednesday 7 August, 6:15pm at The Civic

Appearing at the screening of Went Up the Hill

Christchurch – Friday 8 August, 8:15pm at Lumière Cinemas 

Appearing at the screening of Went Up the Hill

James Rabuatoka

A breakout Fijian talent whose performance in Bati brings strength, soul, and deep emotional power to the screen

Auckland – Saturday 9 August, 1:45pm at Hollywood Avondale

Appearing at the screening of Bati

Auckland – Sunday 10 August, 10:00am at The Bridgeway

Appearing at the screening of Bati 

Bernhard Wenger 

Austrian filmmaker making his feature

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