We annually hand pick an international selection of films to feature in our World Strand, the largest section in the catalogue. Close attention is paid to films lavished with praise or box office success in their countries of origin, as well as films that have struck programmers as highlights from a year’s worth of intense viewing that ended only three weeks ago in Cannes.

Though we aim to be as international as possible, we don’t believe in token representation. This year 19 countries are represented in this section, and we’ve been really struck by the strength of the latest Italian, Spanish and French cinema in particular.

Along with an impressive reveal of 13 titles, we are delighted to announce that the World Strand at NZIFF is sponsored for the first time in 2016 by 2degrees.

 “2degrees is proud to be partnering with the New Zealand International Film Festival for 2016. This is our first year as sponsors and we are excited about supporting such a fantastic line up of films in the World Strand across New Zealand.” says 2degrees Chief Marketing Officer Roy Ong.

We know Everybody Wants Some more sneaks, so we recommend diving in.

After the Storm
Director/Screenplay/Editor: Kore-eda Hirokazu | Japan 2016
A formerly successful novelist tries to reconnect with his ex-wife and young son in this affectionate, shrewdly observed drama of family life from Japan’s unassuming master, Kore-eda Hirokazu (Our Little Sister).

As I Open My Eyes
Director: Leyla Bouzid | France/Tunisia/Belgium/UAE 2015
Tradition butts up against progress in Leyla Bouzid’s debut, a musically charged French-Tunisian film that follows a young woman in a band as she navigates familial and cultural strictures on the eve of the Jasmine Revolution.

Captain Fantastic
Director/Screenplay: Matt Ross | USA 2016
Renaissance man Viggo Mortensen steals the show as a solo father whose idealistic way of raising his six children off the grid comes under attack in this energetic, comedic drama.

Everybody Wants Some!!
Director/Screenplay: Richard Linklater | USA 2016
Richard Linklater follows Boyhood by recalling his own first days at college in this hilarious, deeply relaxed comedy about male bonding, set in the bars, discos, parties and frat houses of 1980 Austin.

Julieta
Director: Pedro Almodóvar | Spain 2016
Spanish auteur Pedro Almodóvar (All About My Mother) returns to his roots with another satisfying female-centric emotional drama, cutting between past and present to explore the loves and regrets of his anxious heroine.

Perfect Strangers
Director: Paolo Genovese | Italy 2016
A gathering of old friends accepts the challenge to share all incoming calls and messages. It’s a game you won’t want to emulate at your next dinner party, but dammit, you’ll be thinking about it.

Personal Shopper
Director: Olivier Assayas | France 2016
Kristen Stewart reunites with Clouds of Sils Maria director Oliver Assayas to play a young American in Paris, buying haute couture for her celebrity boss, and seeking contact with the spirit of her dead twin brother.

Suburra
Director: Stefano Sollima | Italy/France 2015
This bloody, brutal crime saga boasts the epic sprawl of the mob classics it emulates, but with a lurid energy all of its own. With a throbbing score from electronic heavyweights M83.

The Daughter
Director: Simon Stone | Australia 2015
The most lauded Australian drama of the last year, this bold, superbly acted debut from acclaimed theatre director Simon Stone reimagines Ibsen’s The Wild Duck in a contemporary small town.

The Innocents
Director: Anne Fontaine | France/Poland 2016
Based on a true story from post-World War II Poland, this satisfying drama follows a young female French doctor who finds herself caught up in the lives of nuns, traumatised and shamed by their wartime suffering.

Things to Come
Director/Screenplay: Mia Hansen-Løve | France 2016
Isabelle Huppert essays a self-possessed woman confronting unexpected changes in her life and work in Mia Hansen-Løve’s heartfelt and perceptive portrait of middle age.

Thithi
Director: Raam Reddy | India/USA 2016
From India’s southern state of Karnataka, this award-winning comic gem made by first-time director Raam Reddy charms with its easygoing naturalism, evocative setting and colourful cast of characters.

Truman
Director: Cesc Gay | Spain/Argentina 2015
Argentine Ricardo Darín and Spaniard Javier Cámara are beautifully paired in the most garlanded Spanish film of the year, a warm and humorous drama of male friendship shaded with imminent mortality.

The full NZIFF programme will be available online from Monday 20 June 7pm, and on the streets from Tuesday 21 June for Auckland and online from Thursday 23 June 7pm, and on the streets from Friday 24 June for Wellington.