Events & Guests

This year we’re trying something a little different… Auckland and Wellington audiences will be treated to a secret screening presented in association with our friends at Letterboxd. We’ll also be hosting a Letterboxd meet-up at the Civic before the Auckland screening, your opportunity to meet likeminded Letterboxd die-hards!

Your clues for the film 👀
* This film will NOT be playing elsewhere in the festival.
* It was released in 2026.
* And it played at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

We’ll leave you to figure out the rest! Secret screenings are on in Auckland on 8 August and Wellington on 15 August - details and tickets below:

Surprise Film

Saturday 8 August 8.30pm, The Civic

Saturday 15th August, 8.45pm, Embassy Theatre

Letterboxd Meet-up

Saturday 8 August 7.45pm, The Civic

Space princess costume parties, post-punk p*ss ups, themed cocktails, spot prizes, late-night horror and midnight mayhem... we’ve got it all this year at NZIFF After Dark. Your chance to run riot with fellow festival fans and get amongst a little bit of festival fun.

WELLINGTON

Reps and Rhinestones: Jim Queen Dress-up Night

Black Sparrow Bar, Embassy Theatre, Saturday 15 August from 8pm.

Dust off the sweatbands, flex those muscles and unleash your inner Jim Queen!

Inspired by this outrageous French animated gem, we’re turning the Black Sparrow Bar into a supplement fuelled celebration of love, lycra and leg day.

Dress up is encouraged. We want to see you looking fit, flamboyant and fabulous. Singlets, sweatbands, and glitter are a must! Physical exercise not required. Spot prizes will be awarded to the best dressed gym queens.

Join us from 8:00pm on Friday 14 Aug for themed drinks, 4 to the floor beats and a chance to get gloriously pumped before Jim Queen takes over the big screen at 9pm. 

Bring the drama, Bring the sparkle, Bring the gains.

Camp Miasma Sleepover Slasher Dress-up Night

Black Sparrow Bar, Embassy Theatre, Saturday 22 August from 5pm.

Pack your bags, we’re going to summer

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