New Zealand International Film Festival

"I'd never share a rope with him" is about as damning a comment as anyone can make about a fellow mountaineer. Sir Edmund Hillary's words about Earle Riddiford in his last autobiography set the uneasy tone of this nuanced documentary by Earle’s son Richard Riddiford. Recorded Sunday 2 August 2020 at ASB Waterfront Theatre in Auckland following the screening.

Director Anna Marbrook honours the last voyage of the great waka maker, sailor and mentor Ema Siope, whose journeys between Aotearoa and Sāmoa in search of healing, and her family’s reckoning with systemic abuse, are powerfully documented. Recorded Thursday 30 July 2020 at ASB Waterfront Theatre in Auckland following the screening.

A collection of Māori and Pasifika short films curated by Leo Koziol (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rakaipaaka), Director of the Wairoa Māori Film Festival, with guest co-curator Craig Fasi (Niue), Director of the Pollywood Film Festival. In 2020, for the first time, Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts is a competitive section in the Festival. The best film in Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts as judged by an international jury, receives the Wellington UNESCO City of Film Award for Best Film. Recorded Sunday 26 July 2020 at ASB Waterfront Theatre in Auckland, following the world premiere screening.

Premiering their forthcoming web series as a special festival presentation, director Max Currie (Everything We Loved, NZIFF14) and writer Cole Meyers’ queer and trans-celebratory drama swells with character and heart. Recorded Sunday 26 July 2020 at ASB Waterfront Theatre in Auckland, following the world premiere screening.

For this year’s New Zealand’s Best short film competition, Festival Director Marten Rabarts, Head of Programming Michael McDonnell, and Paris-based Programmer Sandra Reid viewed 78 submissions to make a shortlist of 12, from which renowned director Tusi Tamasese selected these six finalists. A jury of three will select the winners of the $4,000 Creative New Zealand Jury Prize and the $2,000 Madman Entertainment Emerging Talent Award, while the winner of an audience vote takes away the Audience Choice Award, consisting of 25 percent of the online box office from this year’s screenings. Recorded Saturday 25 July 2020 at ASB Waterfront Theatre in Auckland, following the world premiere screening.

In the increasing public discourse on mental health, Leanne Pooley’s inspiring and fearless documentary tracks an extraordinary young woman’s journey from suicide survivor to advocate for those struggling. The fact it leaves you hopeful and with tangible advice makes it vital viewing. Recorded Saturday 25 July 2020 at ASB Waterfront Theatre in Auckland, following the world premiere screening. Marten Rabarts with Leanne Pooley and Jazz Thornton.

Recorded August 4 at Academy Cinemas following the Auckland premiere screening. Audience Q&A with director Mark Albiston in conversation with Sally Woodfield and joined by Billy Graeme and some of the subjects of the documentary Latu, Ali & Nicole.

Recorded July 21 at the ASB Waterfront Theatre. Audience Q&A with the six filmmakers in conversation with curators Leo Kozio & Craig Fasi.

Recorded July 27 at Academy Cinemas following the New Zealand premiere screening. Audience Q&A with director Maya Newell in conversation with Annie Goldson and Jack Gray.

Recorded July 28 at ASB Waterfront Theatre following the world premiere screening. Audience Q&A with director Shirley Horrocks in conversation with Jim Barr.

Recorded July 27 at The Civic following the screening. Audience Q&A with director Damon Gameau in conversation with Roman Travers.

Recorded August 2 at Academy Cinemas following the Auckland premiere screening. Audience Q&A with director Robin Greenberg in conversation with Erina Tamepo.

Recorded July 31 at ASB Waterfront Theatre following the screening. Audience Q&A with director Thom Zimny in conversation with Sally Woodfield.

Recorded August 3 at Rialto Cinemas Newmarket in Auckland following the screening. Audience Q&A with Vea Mafile’o in conversation with Simulata Pope.

Recorded August 2 at the ASB Waterfront Theatre following the Auckland premiere screening. Audience Q&A with director Tony Sutorius in conversation with Leanne Pooley.

Recorded August 2 at the ASB Waterfront Theatre following the screening. Audience Q&A with director Liza Mandelup in conversation with Erin Rogatski.

Recorded July 28 at the Hollywood Avondale in Auckland following the New Zealand Premiere screening. Audience Q&A with director Lorcan Finnegan in conversation with Ant Timpson.

Recorded July 20 at The Civic in Auckland following the NZ premiere screening. Audience Q&A with director Hamish Bennett and producers Orlando Stewart & Catherine Fitzgerald in conversation with Dame Gaylene Preston. Presented in association with Script to Screen.

Recorded July 28 2019 at The Civic in Auckland following the world premiere screening. Audience Q&A with directors David Nash & Simon Mark-Brown in conversation with Sam Flynn Scott.

Recorded August 1 2019 at Academy Cinemas in Auckland following the New Zealand world premiere. Audience Q&A with director Bea Joblin in conversation with Sally Woodfield.

Recorded July 25 2019 at the ASB Waterfront Theatre in Auckland. Audience Q&A with director Sophie Hyde in conversation with Robyn Malcolm. Presented in association with Script to Screen.

Recorded July 25 2019 at The Civic in Auckland following the New Zealand premiere. Audience Q&A with writer and director Mirrah Foulkes in conversation with Chelsie Preston-Crayford. Presented in association with Script to Screen.

Recorded July 25 2019 at the ASB Waterfront Theatre in Auckland. Audience Q&A with producer and co-director Charlotte Purdy.

Recorded July 21 2019 at The Civic in Auckland following the New Zealand premiere. Audience Q&A with director Justin Pemberton and producer Matthew Metcalfe in conversation with Toby Manhire.