We're finally able to share the news. Today Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival announces the first of an exciting line up for 2023.

The team works hard to bring the best in global cinema to Aotearoa, including the last two Cannes Palme d’Or winners and this year is no exception. The highly anticipated Past Lives, EO, Afire, Saint Omer and Beyond Utopia will be draw cards for cinephiles across the motu. These films are a sample of what audiences can expect from a great line up of International and local features and documentaries during the festival.

“We’re thrilled with the films that are coming through for selection in 2023. These first five provide a taster of what audiences can expect to see in a very strong line-up,” said NZIFF’s Head of Programming, Michael McDonnell.

"From childhood sweethearts separated by distance and time, to nail-biting escapes from the hermit kingdom of North Korea; from a donkey-eyed view of the best and worst of humanity to a piercing French courtroom drama and a smouldering comedy of manners set on Germany's Baltic coast. These first films promise to exact a range of emotional responses."

By attending film festivals around the world, the programming team bring New Zealand audiences the very best of global cinema. With the Cannes Film Festival occurring later this month, there is still plenty to be reviewed and selected. Further announcements will be made over the next couple of months.