The 668-seat theatre will be the first venue in New Zealand to be using Digital Laser Cinema Projector Technology, supplied by NEC NZ. Audio will be delivered using a bespoke 5.1 cinema surround sound system which has been designed, supplied and installed by Bartons Sound Systems, in collaboration with NEC NZ.

The venue is one of four venues in the CBD, and one of seven across Auckland that will screen NZIFF films from 20 July to 6 August.

“We’re excited to expand our offering into Auckland’s innovation hub at the Wynyard Quarter. The theatre will be a superb place to watch a movie and we’re sure the bar, café and restaurant will prove super-attractive to festival-goers. NZIFF is totally at home in the CBD and committed to keeping our entire programme available to patrons there. This new location stays close to our other three CBD venues: it is on the City Link bus route, and only a brisk walk down the hill from The Civic, Event Cinemas and the Academy Cinemas,” says NZIFF Director Bill Gosden.

The inaugural NZIFF screening at the ASB Waterfront Theatre will be on Friday 21 July. Tickets for the event will go on sale from 30 June.

“We are excited to add the New Zealand International Film Festival to the programme of high quality cultural activities taking place at the ASB Waterfront Theatre. It will help add even further to the life and vitality of the waterfront for Aucklanders to enjoy and indeed all visitors to the city,” says Lester McGrath, Chief Executive, Auckland Theatre Company.

Funding for the installation of the cinema equipment was secured by Waterfront Theatre Trust working in partnership with NZIFF.

The ASB Waterfront Theatre is a purpose-built performing arts venue and the new home of Auckland Theatre Company (ATC). The Foundation Partners of the ASB Waterfront Theatre are Auckland Council, ASB Bank and AUT. Major funders include Creative New Zealand and Foundation North. Significant support was provided by benefactors and donors. The project funders are Edmiston Trust, The Lion Foundation and Lotto NZ. The Founding Corporate Partners are Kensington Swan and Villa Maria Estate, and Platinum Corporate Partners are Cooper and Company, ECC Limited and Moller Architects. Panuku Development Auckland and ATC are Project Partners.

For information on how to get to ASB Waterfront Theatre, see our Getting Between Venues page