Latest news with #NewZealandInternationalFilmFestival
Otago Daily Times
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Feast of films for festival
The long and successful career of New Zealand musician Don McGlashan is explored in Anchor Me — The Don McGlashan Story, screening during the New Zealand International Film Festival. Image: supplied Dunedin fans of cinema are gearing up for a feast of films from around the world in next month's New Zealand International Film Festival. Running from August 8 to September 10, with screenings at both the Regent Theatre and Rialto Cinemas, the film festival in Dunedin will feature more than 70 films. Tickets are on sale from today. NZIFF artistic director Paolo Bertolin said, in a statement, that cinema was a healing force that helped to bring "comfort and hope" to audiences. "There is drama in life and in cinema this year, but there is also plenty of laughter and love — as film-makers use irony and empathy to resolve the conflicts they stage," Mr Bertolin said. Dunedin-based NZIFF publicist Dallas Synnott told The Star the festival's offering this year would range from the Cannes Palme D'Or winning film It Was Just An Accident to experimental films, shorts and a series of intriguing local documentaries. "We have an impressive selection of films this year, and our audiences will be happy that the festival will be longer to give them more chances to catch up with films they want to see," Ms Synnott said. Having the screenings at both the Regent Theatre and Rialto Cinemas would also be a popular move, she said. "It's such a joy to have the film festival on during winter — going the the movies is the perfect thing to do when it's cold outside. "And as we are so geographically isolated here in Dunedin, the festival is an exciting window on the world." Along with a fantastic selection of top films from festivals around the world, the NZIFF will feature a strong collection of local documentaries, including the much-anticipated Prime Minister — following the political highs and lows of former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Local music and musicians will also be in the spotlight — former Dunedin musician Shayne Carter is at the heart of rockumentary Life in One Chord, and New Zealand music legend Don McGlashan features in Anchor Me — The Don McGlashan Story. Printed NZIFF programmes are available at sites around the city, and the programme can be found online at
RNZ News
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Charlie Shackleton's new documentary: Zodiac Killer Project
Photo: Supplied: Charlie Shackleton What happens when you're all set to make a documentary about a high-profile serial killer, based on a book, written by a cop, who alleged a then suddenly you no longer have the rights to the story? Many filmmakers might have given up. Charlie Shackleton dug in. He was attempting to make a documentary about the Zodiac Killer, thought to be responsible for five murders in northern California in the late 1960s, who sent cryptic clues to media, taunting police. The result is Zodiac Killer Project , in which he breaks down how he would've constructed his narrative. Along the way, he deconstructs the true crime genre - investigating how crime documentaries are pulled together, the narrative tricks designed to draw viewers in and keep them watching. The film premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival where it won the Next Innovator Award, and it's screening at this year's New Zealand International Film Festival .
Scoop
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Fam Is Back: Film Festival Edition: Karangahape Road Becomes A Living Cinema
Press Release – Elephant Publicity After the first FAM celebration lit up Karangahape Road in May, it's back this winter with a brand-new twist. On Saturday 2 August, the street transforms into a living, breathing cinema with films popping up in arcades, alleyways, shopfronts, and around all kinds of unexpected corners. FAM: Film Festival Edition will fill the street with screenings, live performances, and music from 2pm 'til late and it's all completely free. This full-street takeover, inspired by the spirit of the New Zealand International Film Festival, has a very K' Road flavour. At East Street, catch Homeward Bound with your dog (yes, furry friends are welcome), or sing your heart out at Cult Classic with Kita, an interactive, glitter-soaked evening hosted by the fabulous drag superstar Kita Mean. Settle in for a John Carpenter horror double feature at Whammy Bar. Expect big sounds outside Pitt Street Church, including a set from the one and only Bub, led by Priya Sami, will be rocking the street. Add to that nostalgic shorts, underground premieres, music videos, and showtunes from the pink piano on Pitt Street, and you've got yourself a cinematic street party like no other. ' FAM is all about bringing people together on K' Road and using all the weird and wonderful spaces we've got on this iconic street,' says Ella, Creative Producer at the Karangahape Road Business Association. ' It's fun, it's a bit chaotic, and there's something for everyone.' Other highlights of the day include Guerilla Filmmaking Workshop with Julia Reynolds (2:30pm to 4pm) A hands-on session for aspiring storytellers looking to make films. Kiri & Lou Takeover at St Kevins Arcade (2pm – 5pm) Join SMALL RAVE for a playful afternoon of Kiri and Lou magic at St Kevins Arcade. Activities include clay animation, storytime, hands-on crafts, and screenings of the BAFTA-nominated kids show. Free fun for all ages — come get silly and creative! Day One short films, local music videos, and live performances from Bub, Goodspace and dān dān (4pm – 7pm) Top of the Pitts Stage outside Pitt St Church Everything Everywhere All At Once – Step into the K' Road laundromat to watch this epic movie which will play on a loop all evening (2pm – 6pm) Beyond the Familiar: Artist Talk at RM Gallery (4pm) Beyond the Familiar is a portrayal of an in-between world, shaped by the movements of migration. Featuring Tāmaki Makaurau-based artists from South-East Asian and Pasifika backgrounds, the exhibition reflects on their diasporic experiences, where identity, belonging, and memory intersect across shifting cultural landscapes. Paraidolia: Immersive Art Exhibition at The Button Factory (from 6pm) Wander through a world of abstract paintings and sculptural lamps that play with perception and emotion. Queer Night Club CHURCH: at Neck of the Woods (10pm) An offering of sound, movement and connection, this edition features a special collaboration with illustrator and poet Māori Mermaid (Jessica Hinerangi Thompson-Carr). This event celebrates the creativity, boldness and independent spirit of Karangahape Road, where every corner has a story to tell. Full programme is launching soon! Proudly supported by Karangahape Business Association, Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate.
Scoop
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Fam Is Back: Film Festival Edition: Karangahape Road Becomes A Living Cinema
After the first FAM celebration lit up Karangahape Road in May, it's back this winter with a brand-new twist. On Saturday 2 August, the street transforms into a living, breathing cinema with films popping up in arcades, alleyways, shopfronts, and around all kinds of unexpected corners. FAM: Film Festival Edition will fill the street with screenings, live performances, and music from 2pm 'til late and it's all completely free. This full-street takeover, inspired by the spirit of the New Zealand International Film Festival, has a very K' Road flavour. At East Street, catch Homeward Bound with your dog (yes, furry friends are welcome), or sing your heart out at Cult Classic with Kita, an interactive, glitter-soaked evening hosted by the fabulous drag superstar Kita Mean. Settle in for a John Carpenter horror double feature at Whammy Bar. Expect big sounds outside Pitt Street Church, including a set from the one and only Bub, led by Priya Sami, will be rocking the street. Add to that nostalgic shorts, underground premieres, music videos, and showtunes from the pink piano on Pitt Street, and you've got yourself a cinematic street party like no other. ' FAM is all about bringing people together on K' Road and using all the weird and wonderful spaces we've got on this iconic street,' says Ella, Creative Producer at the Karangahape Road Business Association. ' It's fun, it's a bit chaotic, and there's something for everyone.' Other highlights of the day include Guerilla Filmmaking Workshop with Julia Reynolds (2:30pm to 4pm) A hands-on session for aspiring storytellers looking to make films. Kiri & Lou Takeover at St Kevins Arcade (2pm - 5pm) Join SMALL RAVE for a playful afternoon of Kiri and Lou magic at St Kevins Arcade. Activities include clay animation, storytime, hands-on crafts, and screenings of the BAFTA-nominated kids show. Free fun for all ages — come get silly and creative! Day One short films, local music videos, and live performances from Bub, Goodspace and dān dān (4pm - 7pm) Top of the Pitts Stage outside Pitt St Church Everything Everywhere All At Once - Step into the K' Road laundromat to watch this epic movie which will play on a loop all evening (2pm - 6pm) Beyond the Familiar: Artist Talk at RM Gallery (4pm) Beyond the Familiar is a portrayal of an in-between world, shaped by the movements of migration. Featuring Tāmaki Makaurau-based artists from South-East Asian and Pasifika backgrounds, the exhibition reflects on their diasporic experiences, where identity, belonging, and memory intersect across shifting cultural landscapes. Paraidolia: Immersive Art Exhibition at The Button Factory (from 6pm) Wander through a world of abstract paintings and sculptural lamps that play with perception and emotion. Queer Night Club CHURCH: at Neck of the Woods (10pm) An offering of sound, movement and connection, this edition features a special collaboration with illustrator and poet Māori Mermaid (Jessica Hinerangi Thompson-Carr). This event celebrates the creativity, boldness and independent spirit of Karangahape Road, where every corner has a story to tell. Full programme is launching soon! Proudly supported by Karangahape Business Association, Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate.
The Spinoff
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Spinoff
Have luxury cinemas gone too far?
In the age of boutique cinema experiences, Alex Casey pines for simpler times. My enduring memory of watching Alien: Romulus at the cinema is not of the creepy AI Ian Holm, nor of the hallway of facehuggers, but something much more chilling. In the opening scenes we drifted into the blackness of space in pindrop silence, but my eye was instead drawn to the woman in the row in front of me, on a frenzied hunt for the perfect crisscut fry. She tilted her small personalised reading lamp (why?) towards the carton and ferreted about for what felt like 10 minutes, holding contenders up to the light like a diamond inspector counting carats. I wish this was the only time that luxurious cinema add-ons have hugely impinged on the moviegoing experience. Ask me anything about Tenet and I won't recall a moment of the plot (Robert Pattinson… backwards?) but I will tell you about how the entire cinema was there on the same GrabOne voucher that entitled them to a free cocktail, pizza and dessert during the film. The aisles were busier than Piccadilly Circus, with every moment of quiet in the film stolen by a poor cinema attendant hissing 'Negroni for Janet, NEGRONI for JANET' into the abyss. Other times, the toll of luxury has been less about the distraction from the film and more about the gentle humiliation of the filmgoer. Last year at the film festival, I ordered myself a humble cup of peppermint tea to enjoy during the flick. Little did I know that I was signing myself up for enough jangling crockery and silverware – tray, cup saucer, teapot, strainer, spoon, napkin – to host a solo jumble sale when I finally found my seat in the dark. Did I spill hot tea on everyone in my row? Yes! And then did I spill hot tea all over myself? Yes!! Of course, cinemas must do whatever they can to make some extra coin these days. With enormous rent and huge distributor fees, the candy bar is where they really make their money. But I am also a dumbass who is prone to novelty and excess, and if you kindly offer me a chocolate fish to go with yet another cursed cup of tea during 28 Years Later I will say yes – even if it means that said chocolate fish will also quietly melt during the trailers against the side of the cup, soon transferring chocolate smears onto my fingers and eventually my entire face and body in the darkness. Maybe this new world of luxury, where a cinema also doubles a cafe and a restaurant and a hotel, is emblematic of a society where we are constantly trying to optimise everything in our lives, to the point where we rinse it of any enjoyment at all. Why have a nice dinner before the movie that you can actually see, when you could eat a bad dinner during the movie that you can't even see a little bit? Why watch a movie under the blankets in your grotty bed at home, when you could watch a movie under the blankets in a grotty bed… in public? With the New Zealand International Film Festival on the horizon, this is as much a reminder to myself as it is for anyone else: just because you have spent roughly $900 million to leave the house and see a film, it doesn't mean you need to act like you are the primary guest on a Below Deck Mediterranean charter. You don't need to feast on confit duck bao buns, banoffee sundaes and three cheese platters to have a good time at the movies. Nor do you need to max out on mod cons like a reading lamp, a daybed and a blanket.
