I’m on maternity leave from my Communications Manager role for NZIFF 2019 but I’ve been previewing films and writing about a few of them. (See Martha: A Picture Story, Peter Peryer and Animals – all excellent films to add to your wishlist.) I’ll be there in spirit while Auckland audiences cheer on our very own Ant Timpson at The Civic for the New Zealand premiere of his debut film Come to Daddy. That’s going to be a big night. I already have FOMO. The New Zealand’s Best line-up is once again a very high bar of the best short films being made in this country. Our guest selector Jane Campion was very impressed. And while you’re looking at shorts programmes, take 60 minutes to go and see an Animation for Kids screening. The delight and vocal responses from those wee audience members will bring you joy, I promise. A huge congrats to the NZIFF crew for securing another outstanding line-up of films. — Rebecca McMillan, Communications Manager (on maternity leave)
Films — by Collection
- Film Talks: Jane Ross
- Flicks.co.nz
- Letterboxd Community
- Letterboxd Crew
- Lumière Cinemas
- Staff Picks: Bradley Pratt
- Staff Picks: Charlotte Underhill
- Staff Picks: Daniel Burger
- Staff Picks: Emma Carter
- Staff Picks: Ina Kinski
- Staff Picks: Jessica Hof
- Staff Picks: Lauren Day
- Staff Picks: Lauri Korpela
- Staff Picks: Lynnaire MacDonald
- Staff Picks: Michael McDonnell
- Staff Picks: Nick Paris
- Staff Picks: Rebecca McMillan
- Staff Picks: Sandra Reid
- Staff Picks: Sharon Byrne
- Staff Picks: Tim Wong
- Wellington Film Society
Staff Picks: Rebecca McMillan
Come to Daddy
Elijah Wood, Stephen McHattie and Madeleine Sami lead Kiwi director (and NZIFF/Incredibly Strange programmer) Ant Timpson’s deranged comic thriller about a father-son reunion that goes very, very south.
New Zealand’s Best 2019
Check out the year’s best New Zealand short films as chosen by this year’s guest selector Jane Campion, from a shortlist drawn up by NZIFF programmers from a total of 91 entries.
Varda by Agnès
The late, great French filmmaking icon’s swansong is a magical self-reflection on art, movies, invention and Varda’s own lust for life inside and outside of the cinematic frame.
Ask Dr. Ruth
As her 90th birthday approaches, irrepressible Dr Ruth, the famed American sex therapist, reflects on her life and career in a film as spirited as she is.
Vivarium
Jesse Eisenberg and Imogen Poots’ goal of becoming homeowners veers into strange and sinister territory in this smart and unexpected sci-fi horror.
Animation for Kids 4+
Animation is such an engaging art form – perfect for inspiring the wide-open imaginations of our youngest NZIFF audience members. Not that the inspiration stops there – these eclectic and entertaining films are sure to appeal to both the young and young at heart. — NM