Sara Shahverdi’s unique position as a councilwoman in rural Iran invites the audience to share her triumphs and setbacks as she uplifts young women and ruffles conservative feathers by advocating for gender equality.
Festival Programme
Films — by Genre
- Action
- Actors and Theatre
- Animation
- Art
- Based on Books
- Cannes
- Comedy
- Coming of Age
- Crime
- Documentary
- Education
- Environment
- Family Ties
- Fantasy
- Films about Films
- Historical
- Horror
- Human Rights
- Indigenous
- LGBTQIA+
- Love Stories
- Music
- Māori/Pacific
- Politics
- Religion
- Rural Life
- Sci-Fi
- Seniors
- Sex and Sexuality
- Slow Cinema
- Sports and Recreation
- Style
- Thriller
- Travel
- WTF?
- War Zones
- Women Make Movies
- Writers
Human Rights
Homebound
Class, religion, and gender intersect in Neeraj Ghaywan’s personal approach to life in Northern India. A life-long friendship is put to the test when a shared dream leads two best friends in different directions.
It Was Just an Accident
Yek tasadef sadeh
A masterpiece of cinematic invention and political bravery, Jafar Panahi’s rousing new film deservedly won the Cannes Palme d’Or and opens NZIFF 2025 on a powerful and inspiring note.
Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk
As a Gaza native, photojournalist Fatma Hassona documents aspects of the war in Palestine that foreign journalists cannot access. Her tenacious Palestinian voice will not be silenced in this poignant documentary.