NZIFF 2023 isn’t far away, making its way across Aotearoa this July to September.
The opening night of Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival is just eleven weeks away—and as the countdown continues, the fest has announced its first titles.
“We’re thrilled with the films that are coming through for selection in 2023. These first five provide a taster of what audiences can expect to see in a very strong line-up,” said NZIFF’s Head of Programming, Michael McDonnell.
“From childhood sweethearts separated by distance and time, to nail-biting escapes from the hermit kingdom of North Korea; from a donkey-eyed view of the best and worst of humanity to a piercing French courtroom drama and a smouldering comedy of manners set on Germany’s Baltic coast. These first films promise to exact a range of emotional responses.”
After a scaled-back return to cinemas in 2022, NZIFF has a larger footprint this year:
Auckland: 19 July to 6 August – The Civic, ASB Waterfront Theatre, Rialto Cinemas Newmarket, Bridgeway Cinema, Academy Cinemas, The Hollywood Avondale
Wellington: 27 July to 13 August – The Embassy Theatre (including Deluxe), The Roxy, Light House Cinema Cuba, Light House Cinema Petone, Penthouse Cinemas
Dunedin: 3 – 20 August – The Regent, Rialto Cinemas Dunedin
Hamilton: 9 – 29 August – Lido Cinema
Christchurch: 10 – 27 August – Isaac Theatre Royal, Lumiere Cinemas, Hoyts Christchurch Central (Closing Night only)
Matakana: 10 – 27 August – Matakana Cinemas
Napier: 10 – 27 August – MTG Century Theatre
Tauranga: 10 – 27 August – Rialto Cinemas Tauranga
Masterton: 16 – 30 August – Regent 3 Cinemas
Havelock North: 17 August to 3 September – Event Cinemas
New Plymouth: 17 August to 3 September – Len Lye Centre Cinema and Event Cinemas
Palmerston North: 17 August to 3 September – Event Cinemas
Whangarei: 17 – 27 August – Event Cinemas Whangarei
Nelson: 23 August to 10 September – The Pastorius-Waller Theatre at Suter Art Gallery
Gisborne: 24 August to 3 September – Odeon Multiplex
Gore: 28 August to 3 September – SBS St James Theatre
Timaru: 28 August to 3 September – Movie Max Digital
It’s great to see the path this year’s NZIFF will take around Aotearoa but, yes, we know you want to find out what’s playing! Here are the first titles announced:
Past Lives
A24 reunion tale centred on Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends who are wrest apart after Nora’s family emigrates from South Korea. 20 years later, they are reunited for one fateful week as they confront notions of love and destiny.
EO
This winner of the Jury Prize (ex aequo) at Cannes 2022 presents the world from the perspective of a donkey.
Afire
Emotions run high among a group of friends in a holiday home by the Baltic Sea as the parched forest around them catches fire in this comedic drama from renowned filmmaker Christian Petzold (Phoenix).
Saint Omer
Winner of the Silver Lion and Best Debut Feature at Venice 2022, this French drama follows a novelist who attends the trial of Laurence Coly at the Saint-Omer Criminal Court to use her story to write a modern-day adaptation of the ancient myth of Medea, but things don’t go as expected.
Beyond Utopia
Hidden camera footage augments this perilous high-stakes journey as we embed with families attempting to escape oppression, ultimately revealing a world most of us have never seen.
NZIFF multi-trip passes are on sale now for Auckland (5-Trip and 10-Trip), Wellington (5-Trip and 10-Trip), Christchurch (5-Trip) and Dunedin (5-Trip).
They’re available to purchase here
