It’s a scramble every year to tie down the films we want from Cannes when we can’t see them until a fortnight before our deadline, but somehow we’ve done it again. Our programmer Sandra Reid went into Cannes knowing a handful of titles would be held back for the US Awards seasons, but otherwise it was a matter of zeroing in on everything else that looked exciting. Which was a lot. Obviously. We’ve emerged with a fantastic variety, from outrageous comedy, to meditative Thai art cinema to a charming family drama from a master of Japanese cinema. 

From the Competition

Winning the award for Best Director, Hou Hsiao-hsien's The Assassin arrives on New Zealand shores this winter alongside Jury Prize winner The Lobster and The Measure of a Man, which won the Best Actor prize for Vincent Lindon's moving performance.

Adding to the NZIFF line-up from the Official Competition is Nanni Moretti's Mia madre, Kore-eda's Our Little Sister and the wicked Tale of Tales from Matteo Garrone. 

Un Certain Regard

The Un Certain Regard category at Cannes supplements the competition selection by recognising fresh talent and daring new films, and we are delighted to confirm three titles from this section.

Fans of Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives) will want to bookmark the entrancing Cemetery of Splendour. Also keeping a gentle pace is Rams, an Icelandic comedy/drama that was the jury and audience favourite in the Un Certain Regard section. 

Out of Competition

Our early announcement title Amy comes to us from Out of Competition. Directed by Asif Kapadia (Senna), Amy is an intimate, overwhelmingly moving tribute to Amy Winehouse.

Directors' Fortnight

The Directors' Fortnight was super strong this year and provided us with the largest number of films (and some of the longest titles). The Brand New Testament, Embrace of the Serpent and Mustang head to NZIFF.

NZIFF programmes will be available in Christchurch from Tuesday 14 July. Ticketing information will be available online at time of programme launch.