News

One of New Zealand’s most celebrated filmmakers, Gaylene Preston, will join audiences at the August 24 screening of War Stories Our Mothers Never Told Us at Massey Univeristy for a special Q&A session. This is a rare chance to hear directly from the director about the making of her landmark documentary, which captures the extraordinary resilience and untold wartime experiences of New Zealand women.

First released in 1995, War Stories remains a powerful, intimate portrait of love, loss, and survival during the Second World War. Preston’s insightful storytelling and gift for drawing out deeply personal histories have cemented the film as a classic of New Zealand cinema. Don’t miss this opportunity to revisit the film on the big screen and join the conversation with the filmmaker who brought these voices to light.

Missed out on tickets? Here’s your second chance! 

NZIFF encore screenings are your opportunity to catch some of this year’s most in-demand films, back for a limited time in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

The sessions listed below will be added to film pages in the coming days - check back for the latest! 

And remember - tickets won’t last!

AUCKLAND

Breathless
Hollywood Avondale
Tue 12 Aug, 8:30pm

Forgotten Silver
Hollywood Avondale
Mon 11 Aug, 6:15pm

Happyend
Academy Cinemas
Tue 12 Aug, 8:30pm

It Was Just an Accident
Hollywood Avondale
Mon 11 Aug, 8:00pm

Kokuho
Academy Cinemas
Mon 11 Aug, 5:15pm
Academy Cinemas
Tue 12 Aug, 5:15pm

Life in One Chord
Hollywood Avondale
Sun 17 Aug, 6:30pm

A Little Something Extra
The Bridgeway
Mon 11 Aug, 6:15pm

Mistress Dispeller
Academy Cinemas
Mon 11 Aug, 8:30pm

Notes From a Fish

The Bridgeway
Tues 12 Aug, 8:15pm

Nouvelle Vague
Hollywood Avondale
Tue 12 Aug, 6:15pm

Prime Minister
The Bridgeway
Tue 12 Aug, 6:15pm

Hollywood Avondale
Sat 16 Aug 2:00pm

Sentimental Value
The Bridgeway
Wed 13 Aug, 6:15pm

TOITŪ Visual Sovereignty
The Bridgeway
Mon 11 Aug, 8:15pm

Vie Privée
Hollywood Avondale
Wed 13 Aug, 6:15pm

WELLINGTON

Breathless
Massey University National Academy of Screen Arts

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NZIFF after dark is your chance to get amongst the fun and run riot with fellow festival fans! Check out what's on in Wellington.

Get your glitter for the Lesbian Space Princess costume party

In honour of the candy-coloured animated flick that’s set to become a cult classic, we’re throwing a Lesbian Space Princess shindig in Wellington. Ahead of The Embassy screening on 22 Aug, the cinema’s Black Sparrow bar is morphing into a portal through the gay-laxy, destination: Clitopolis! Costumes are encouraged - we’re looking forward to your interpretations of the theme - or at the very least, roll yourself in glitter and sample a drink from the specially-curated ‘clit-tail’ list. Join us from 7.30pm. Bring your ex.

The Embassy Theatre, August 22
7:30pm The Black Sparrow
8:45pm Lesbian Space Princess at The Embassy

Rock out at the Pavements pre-screening gig

Get Slanted & Enchanted as we Brighten the Corners of Light House Cuba. Wowee Zowee (Sorry).

Ahead of the fever dream that is Pavements, NZIFF After Dark presents a set of stripped-back covers—very subjectively chosen “greatest hits”—played and sung by Louis Reeve, bigtime Pavement aficionado since way back, and frontman of local band By A Damn Sight. Grab a

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This year, NZIFF is rolling out the red carpet for the people in (and behind) the films.

From intimate Q&As to powerful opening night intros, over 50 live events across Aotearoa will bring filmmakers out from behind the camera and into the spotlight. You'll get the chance to see, hear from, and connect with an incredible line-up of local and international directors, actors, writers, and creatives - all appearing in person at screenings, workshops and panels nationwide.

Please note that guest appearances and live events may be subject to change. 

INTERNATIONAL GUESTS 

Dacre Montgomery 

Stranger Things star Dacre Montgomery appears in person with his haunting new feature, Went Up the Hill

Auckland – Wednesday 7 August, 6:15pm at The Civic

Appearing at the screening of Went Up the Hill

Christchurch – Friday 8 August, 8:15pm at Lumière Cinemas 

Appearing at the screening of Went Up the Hill

James Rabuatoka

A breakout Fijian talent whose performance in Bati brings strength, soul, and deep emotional power to the screen

Auckland – Saturday 9 August, 1:45pm at Hollywood Avondale

Appearing at the screening of Bati

Auckland – Sunday 10 August, 10:00am at The Bridgeway

Appearing at the screening of Bati 

Bernhard Wenger 

Austrian filmmaker making his feature

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