News

Thank you to the 3205 NZIFF ticket buyers who took the time to answer our annual questionnaire. We relish the opportunity to relive the event through your comments. With nearly 98% of you indicating your intention attend NZIFF 2020 that’s all the motivation we could ask for to keep doing what we do.  

It’s become an annual tradition for us to summarise and share the highlights and the less flattering comments with you. We value your feedback greatly and we’re already working on some improvements so that we continue to deliver this premier film festival event.  

Some were extremely complimentary

When asked what you liked about NZIFF, the most common response was the variety and diversity of the films on offer.  You also liked Kiwi-made content and the fact that you can see films that you wouldn’t normally see in a cinema.

Our venues continue to receive standing ovations from patrons. And we agree, we’re proud to work with the finest picture houses in the land.  A big shout out to new additions Lumiere in Christchurch and Reading Cinemas Porirua which were a hit with audiences this year.

"The Lumiere theatres in Christchurch are great. Great seating, nice atmosphere and

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Our podcasts feature vibrant conversations with directors, producers, writers and actors after their screenings at NZIFF. Episodes are listed below.
Find NZIFF on Anchor (here) or on any of your favorite podcast platforms including Spotify, Breaker, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts and RadioPublic.

Billy and The Kids (2019)

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.

Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts (2019)

Recorded July 21 at the ASB Waterfront Theatre.

Audience Q&A with the six filmmakers in conversation with curators Leo Kozio & Craig Fasi.

In My Blood It Runs (2019)

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.

Peter Peryer: The Art of Seeing (2019)

Recorded July 28 at ASB Waterfront Theatre following the world premiere screening.

Audience Q&A with director Shirley Horrocks in conversation with Jim Barr. 

2040 (2019)

Recorded July 27 at The Civic following the screening. 

Audience Q&A with director Damon Gameau in conversation with Roman Travers.

Mo Te Iwi

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A cluster of elite film trivia specialists came together at Blondini’s on Saturday 3rd August for this year’s hotly contested Wellington Film Society Quiz. The cinephiles battled through 90 minutes of movie questions and in the end ‘Too Late the Quiz Team’ took the gong.  Team members Catherine Jeffcoat, Colin Jeffcoat, Pearce Duncan, Rachael Manson, Chris Gilman and Matt Riordan share their most intimate movie secrets below. 

Congratulations all! How are we feeling? Reeling from the win?

Slightly.

What’s your team name and why?

‘Too Late the Quiz Team’. We think it’s from Too Late the Hero?

How do you all know each other, and what do you all do?

Friends, partners and a very appreciated latecomer (thanks Matthew!)

How many years have you been attending the quiz?

Some first timers, but half the team played last year.

Let’s be honest, who carried the team tonight?

Team effort all the way.

What was your best round?

The soundtracks and New Zealand.

What is your top must-see at NZIFF this year and why?

So far? In Fabric, Apollo 11 and Long Day’s Journey into Night.

Best film/s of all time?

Colin: Claire’s Knee

Cat: Grosse Pointe Blank

Matt: Close Encounters of

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Cinephile camaraderie was flung aside for the highly anticipated Flicks.co.nz and Letterboxd-hosted 2019 Auckland Film Quiz, at The Civic Wintergarden on Saturday 3rd of August. Intellectual swords clashed as teams tested their collective movie mettle fighting for the title until the bitter end. ‘Not available in your region’ took out the title and we sat down with team members Corey Chalmers, Ajay Murthy, Antony Wilson and Jess Reihana to pick their cinephiliac brains.

Congratulations all!! How are we feeling? Reeling from the win?

Thank you, feels good to win. The prize pack was great, but the bragging rights are better.

What’s your team name and why?

‘Not available in your region’. We are speaking for the masses. It is a silent subversive campaign against a much-hated error message that most New Zealanders can relate to.

How do you all know each other, and what do you all do?

We all work together at an advertising agency.

How many years have you been attending the quiz?

This was the team’s second outing.

Let’s be honest, who carried the team tonight?

Ant and Corey and Jess and Ajay.

What was your best round?

Horror. We maxed that round.

What is your top

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How long have you been attending NZIFF?

I started attending consistently when I was about 19 or 20, when it was held at the Rialto (RIP).

Favourite film you’ve ever seen at the Festival?

I have very fond memories of having my little mind blown by this surreal black and white American musical / space western, The American Astronaut, from the 2002 festival. I saw it with a bunch of uni friends and re-watch it every year or so. A++++ would trade again.

My favourite moment though was watching Sam Hamilton’s fun experimental film Apple Pie in the 2016 festival. It was just me and an elderly guy in the cinema at a 10am screening and at the very end he turned to me and said “that’s the queerest film I think I’ve ever seen”.

Film(s) you’re most excited to see from this year’s NZIFF?

I’m really looking forward to both the Hungarian animated film Ruben Brandt, Collector, and the Swedish sci-fi film Aniara. The first appeals to my love for bonkers animated weirdness, and I really like high concept sci fi + Swedish film + international takes on genre. I’m also excited about Jennifer Kent’s film The Nightingale even

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