In collaboration with the Human Rights Film Festival

Documentary | 2021 | New Zealand | 91 min | English | English subtitles
Directed by Florian Habicht

Genuine New Zealand treasures 99-year-old Maori Isey and her son James invite us into their lives in the week leading up to Isey's 100th birthday. A Northland celebration of life and aroha (love) like no other.

BONUS NEW ZEALAND EVENT
in collaboration with the Human Rights Film Festival
+Q&A with director Florian Habicht

Documentary | 2021 | New Zealand | 91 min |  English | English subtitles
Directed by Florian Habicht

Genuine New Zealand treasures 99-year-old Maori Isey and her son James invite us into their lives in the week leading up to Isey's 100th birthday. A Northland celebration of life and aroha (love) like no other.

Documentary | 2023 | Australia | 91 min | English | no subtitles
Directed by Justin Krook & Luke Mazzaferro

As the world looked on in horror at Australia's apocalyptic bushfires, the selfless acts of everyday people defined the spirit of a nation, but took an astounding toll of their own.

Closing Night Special Event
presented with the Australian Embassy

Documentary | 2021 | Australia | 92 min | English | no subtitles
Directed by Justin Krook & Luke Mazzaferro

As the world looked on in horror at Australia's apocalyptic bushfires, the selfless acts of everyday people defined the spirit of a nation, but took an astounding toll of their own.

A look at the challenges and triumphs of modern Indigenous voices in Australia.

DIG DEEPER
Documentary | 2022 | Australia | 52 min | English | English subtitles

Starring: Maree Clarke; Blak Douglas; Ben McKeown; Penny Evans
Directed by Mark Street

Four uniquely different Aboriginal artists use their personal stories and historical injustice as a driving force to break through and create internationally recognised urban art.

MARUNGKA TJALATJUNU - DIPPED IN BLACK
Documentary | 2023 | Australia | 25 min | Yankunytjatjara | English subtitles
Starring: Derik Lynch; Christopher Stewart; Dominic Roberts; Dale Baker

Directed by Matthew Thorne & Derik Lynch

Wanting to leave behind his life in the predominantly white city of Adelaide, a queer Yankunytjatjara theatre artist returns to Aputula, his Indigenous homeland in the heart of Australia, to perform on sacred Inma ground.

Focus on Aotearoa

Comedy | 2023 | New Zealand | 85 min | English | English subtitles
Starring John-Paul Foliaki; Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi; Ilaisaane Green
Directed by Damon Fepulea'i

When Maka and Veni fail in getting tickets for the most important game of their lives, they decide to form a traditional Tongan marching band, just so they can go to the game. The only problem is they have no band, no instruments…and no idea.

Showcasing exceptional short films from Australia and New Zealand.

Join us for this panel of film professionals from Australia and New Zealand as we engage in conversation about the the challenges and triumphs of forging a film career abroad.

German Premiere
Drama | 2022 | New Zealand | 85 min | English | no subtitles
Starring: Ariadne Baltazar; Eliana Hwang; Masoumeh Hesam Mahmoudinezhad
Directed by Michelle Ang, Ghazaleh Golbakhsh, Nahyeon Lee, Angeline Loo, Hash Perambalam, Asuka Sylvie, Yamin Tun, Julie Zhu

Eight Pan-Asian female filmmakers craft a series of unique stories set in the same house (kainga) across several decades, chronicling the diverse and ever-changing experiences of Asians trying to make Aotearoa New Zealand their home.

German Premiere
Drama | 2022 | Australia | 106 min | English | no subtitles
Starring: Savannah La Rain; Isabel Lucas; Luke Hemsworth
Directed by Tyler Atkins

As Rockit grapples to understand why his Mum’s not coming home, he embarks on a magical holiday along the Australian coast with his father, Bosch, only to discover they’re actually running from the law.

German Premiere
+Q&A with director Nadi Sha

Drama | 2022 | Australia | 90 min | English | German subtitles
Starring: Gigi Edgley; Freyja Benjamin; Martin Crewes
Directed by Nadi Sha

An alienated 18-year-old student learns to find meaning and purpose through the pain of love and loss.

Showcasing currently unaired television series from Australia and New Zealand

SIGNIFICANT STRANGERS (Pilot Episode)
Drama | 2021 | Australia | 40 min | English | no subtitles
Starring: Kipan Rothbury
Directed by Kipan Rothbury

Four quadruplets who were separated a birth and raised in different parts of the world are reunited. Based on true events.

‘KURA (Season 1)
Comedy | 2021 | New Zealand | 50 min | English | English subtitles
Starring: Dahnu Graham, Lionel Wellington, Amiria Reriti
Directed by Vince McMillan 

Billy is desperate to leave his job at the local pools and escape the small town, so when his uncle Trev wants his stash of weed, Billy jumps at the chance to deliver it to him on the Gold Coast.

Comedy / Drama | 2022 | New Zealand | 100 min | English | English subtitles
Starring: Ana Scotney, Jillian Nguyen, Chris Alosio, Sam Cotton
Directed by Michelle Savill

When a sudden impulse turns Millie away from starting a prestigious internship in New York, her peculiar new path of total evasiveness leads her on a journey of self-discovery. 

Opening Night Special Event
in partnership with the New Zealand Embassy
+ Q&A with director Michelle Savill

Comedy / Drama | 2022 | New Zealand | 100 min | English | English subtitles
Starring: Ana Scotney, Jillian Nguyen, Chris Alosio, Sam Cotton
Directed by Michelle Savill

When a sudden impulse turns Millie away from starting a prestigious internship in New York, her peculiar new path of total evasiveness leads her on a journey of self-discovery.