Christchurch Doc Edge Screening + Q&A: Human Forever
2024-09-04 18:30 - 20:00 (Pacific/Auckland) | Lumiere Cinemas, 26 Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch Central City, 8013, New Zealand
Join us in September for #worldalzheimersmonth with the NZ premiere of “Human Forever” by Jonathan de Jong.
This powerful film follows 24-year-old humanitarian activist Teun Toebes on his mission to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia.
Attend the Wellington, Christchurch, and Auckland screenings for a Q&A with Jonathan de Jong and Teun Toebes, or watch it online nationwide on our Virtual Cinema.
Part of ticket sales support @alzheimersnz, Home 4 All, & Dementia NZ.
Tickets ?https://docedge.nz/film-of-the-month/human-forever/

Auckland Doc Edge Screening + Q&A: Human Forever
2024-09-08 16:00 - 17:30 | The Capitol Cinema, 610 Dominion Road, Auckland

ShowNews Academy - CABARET
2024-09-09 19:30 - 21:30 | Academy Cinema, 44 Lorne St, Auckland, New Zealand
Each month ShowNews presents a film at Academy Cinemas picked by a special film industry guest. For September, the chosen film is the legendary Bob Fosse musical with a star-making performance from Liza Minelli, CABARET!
Directed by Bob Fosse
Starring Michael York, Marisa Berenson, Liza Minnelli, Helmut Griem, Joel Grey, Fritz Wepper
Rated M
124 minutes
Tickets only $10!
Happy Hour drinks from 7pm.
Screening 8:15pm.
Inside the Kit Kat Club of 1931 Berlin, starry-eyed singer Sally Bowles and an impish emcee sound the clarion call to decadent fun, while outside a certain political party grows into a brutal force.

SXSW Sydney
2024-10-14 - 2024-10-20
The multifaceted offering brings together creatives across a wide range of specialities from around the world and provides an unparalleled platform for Asia-Pacific creators to showcase their work to those shaping the future of the industry.
Programming spans feature films, shorts, TV premieres, music videos and XR.‍

SXSW Sydney 2024
2024-10-14 - 2024-10-24
SXSW SYDNEY 2024 DATES ARE NOW LIVE. THE WEEK-LONG EVENT CONNECTS THE WORLD’S LEADING CREATIVES ACROSS THE TECH & INNOVATION, MUSIC, SCREEN AND GAMES INDUSTRIES. DISCOVERY AWAITS THE NEXT WAVE OF VISIONARIES.

ShowNews Academy - Who Framed Roger Rabbit
2024-10-22 19:30 - 21:30 | Academy Cinema, 44 Lorne St, Auckland, New Zealand
Directed by Robert Zemeckis
Starring Christopher Lloyd, Joanna Cassidy, Charles Fleischer, Bob Hoskins
Each month ShowNews presents a film at Academy Cinemas picked by a special film industry guest. For October, the chosen film is the beloved animation-live-action masterpiece WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT? Chosen especially by Academy Cinemas regular Rosemary Woodman, a former animator herself!
Tickets only $10!
Happy Hour drinks from 7pm.
Screening 8:15pm.
It’s 1947 Hollywood, and Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskin, THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY), a down-on-his-luck detective, is hired to find proof that Marvin Acme, gag factory mogul and owner of Toontown, is playing hanky-panky with femme fatale Jessica Rabbit, wife of Maroon Cartoon superstar Roger Rabbit. When Acme is found murdered, all fingers point to Roger, and the sinister, power-hungry Judge Doom (Christopher Lloyd, BACK TO THE FUTURE) is on a mission to bring Roger to justice. Roger begs the Toon-hating Valiant to find the real evildoer and the plot thickens as Eddie uncovers scandal after scandal and realizes the very existence of Toontown is at stake!
This multi-Oscar(R) winner (Best Film Editing, Best Sound Effects Editing, Best Visual Effects, Special Achievement In Animation Direction, 1988) is deliciously outrageous fun the whole family will enjoy.

NZ Cine Awards 2024
2024-10-26 19:00 - 22:00
The NZCS Cinematography Awards will be on the 26th October at the Pullman Hotel, Auckland.
Entry submission for the 7th NZCS Awards will be open from 10th June to the 21st July.

She’s Talking in Island - A Special Taiwanese Film Screening
2024-10-28 16:30 - 18:30 | Bridgeway Cinema Northcote Auckland, 122 Queen St, Northcote Point, Auckland, 0627
Taiwan New Zealand Screen(TNZS) will host a special screening for a writer/director Wang Ming-Hsia from Taiwan on 28/10 (Labor Day) in Auckland.
Wang started as an in-house script writer for a famous Taiwanese production company which produced Ang Lee’s early films including Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.
She then kept writing scripts for many films and TV dramas, lectured script-writing in colleges and filming documentaries.
In May this year, she released her first feature film “She’s Talking in Island”. It’s an indi movie, a female road movie, only took 7 days to finish shooting but amazingly was theatrically released in Taiwan for almost a month.
Encouraged by this film, her next goal is to make second female road movie in NZ!
So this trip and screening is for her to meet with industry here and seek for possible co-production partners.

Misty Flicks Festival
2024-11-22 - 2024-11-24
Misty Flicks is a not-for-profit independent film festival held annually in the Central region of Aotearoa, New Zealand. The festival offers a wide-ranging programme of local and indigenous cinema. It aims to introduce and unite audiences to different voices and cultures through the power of storytelling.
Misty Flicks creates a platform to nurture the careers of tomorrow’s storytellers by providing educational opportunities and workshops. It makes film accessible to its people and creates a sense of community and connectedness through the arts by connecting filmmakers and audiences in discussions and seminars based on the principles of manaakitanga.
The festival runs 22-24 November.

2024 New Zealand Television Awards Show
2024-11-22 19:00 - 23:00 | Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
The New Zealand Television Awards recognises excellence in television and honours the special skills and unique talents of the companies and individuals who create, produce, and perform in television programmes in New Zealand.
​
The Awards are open to linear, subscription and digital broadcast platforms.

2024 New Zealand Television Awards Show
2024-11-22 19:00 - 23:00

ShowNews Academy - Nashville
2024-11-26 19:30 - 22:30 | Academy Cinema, 44 Lorne St, Auckland, New Zealand
In this acclaimed Robert Altman drama, the lives of numerous people in the Tennessee capital intersect in unpredictable ways. Delbert Reese (Ned Beatty) is a lawyer and political organizer who is having difficulties in his marriage to Linnea (Lily Tomlin), a gospel vocalist. Other performers heavily featured in this renowned ensemble production include country singers Barbara Jean (Ronee Blakley) and Connie White (Karen Black), who are rivals in the city’s thriving music scene.
To this day, the film’s 11 Golden Globe nominations – including four in a single acting category – remain the most for a single film.

Combine Guilds Xmas Party - Auckland
2024-12-13 17:30 - 22:00 | Longroom, 114 Ponsonby Road, Auckland
It’s that time again already and you are cordially invited to join us at the annual:
Combined Guild’s Christmas Party! ?
‘Tis the season to be jolly, and what better way to celebrate than to gather together for Christmas drinks and nibbles and share events of our last year!
– Nibbles will be provided on the night
– Drinks will be available for purchase at the bar.
– Book your spot now as our spaces are limited!
We look forward to seeing you all there and hosting the creative forces of our hard working guild members all together under one roof!

ShowNews Academy - It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
2025-01-28 20:00 - 23:00 | Academy Cinema, 44 Lorne St, Auckland, New Zealand
Smiler Grogan, a recently released convict, crashes his car on California State Route 74. With his dying breath, Grogan tells a group of motorists who stop to help him about $350,000 (equivalent to $3,483,261 in 2023) buried in Santa Rosita State Park under “a big W.” Failing to negotiate a satisfactory way to split the money, the four cars begin a mad dash to the park, having several mishaps along the way:
Melville Crump, a dentist on a second honeymoon with his wife Monica, charters a rickety biplane to Santa Rosita. Despite arriving in Santa Rosita first, they get locked in a hardware store’s basement. After several attempts to break out, they blow out the wall of the basement with dynamite, and hire a cab to get to the park.
Ding Bell and Benjy Benjamin, two friends on their way to Las Vegas, charter a small airplane. When their alcoholic pilot knocks himself out, they struggle to land the plane themselves; once on the ground, they also hire a cab to get to the park.
J. Russell Finch, a businessman traveling with his wife Emmeline and her mother Mrs. Marcus, crashes into the furniture truck of Lennie Pike, another witness of Grogan’s crash. Finch persuades British Army Lieutenant Colonel J. Algernon Hawthorne to drive them to Santa Rosita. After a nasty argument, Mrs. Marcus and Emmeline exit the car to hitch their own ride. Hawthorne crashes the car while driving through a tunnel, and he and Finch come to blows.
Pike stops motorist Otto Meyer for a ride and tells him about the money; the greedy Meyer decides to search for the treasure himself, and abandons Pike, convincing two service station attendants to detain him. Pike destroys the station, steals a tow truck, and picks up Mrs. Marcus and Emmeline. Mrs. Marcus calls her son Sylvester, who lives close to Santa Rosita, but he misunderstands and drives to meet her. Eventually, the group reunites with Russell and Hawthorne, and continues to head to the park.
Meyer stops to help a stranded miner get back to his very rural cabin. Trying to get back to the highway, Meyer fails at crossing a deep river and his car is swept away, leading him to steal another motorist’s car.
Meanwhile, Santa Rosita Police Captain T. G. Culpeper, hoping to tie up the Grogan case before his impending retirement, secretly has the motorists shadowed throughout their various adventures. After a furious argument with his wife and daughter, Culpeper learns that his pension will be a pittance and has a mental breakdown.
The entire group, now consisting of fourteen people, arrives at Santa Rosita at nearly the same time, and searches frantically for the “big W”, which turns out to be a gathering of four palm trees. Culpeper arrives shortly after and observes the group. After the group digs up a suitcase full of cash, Culpeper identifies himself and informs the group that they are wanted by the police. He convinces them to turn themselves in and hope for leniency.
The motorists realize that Culpeper is not returning to the police station with them, but is stealing the money for himself. The men chase him into an abandoned building and onto a rickety fire escape, which starts to collapse under them. The briefcase containing the money falls open, scattering the cash to the wind. When Culpeper and the men all pile onto a fire department ladder sent to rescue them, their combined weight causes it to spin uncontrollably and fling them all off, leaving them heavily injured.
In the prison hospital, the men bemoan the loss of the money and blame their injuries on Culpeper, who responds that due to his lost pension (which his boss had successfully negotiated back, thus making his illegal actions unnecessary), the ruined relationship with his family, and the likelihood that the judge will probably give him the harshest sentence, he may never laugh again. Mrs. Marcus, flanked by Emmeline and Monica, enters and begins berating the men, only for her to slip on a banana peel and fall. All the men except Sylvester roar with laughter, and, after a brief hesitation, Culpeper joins in.

Mental Health First Aid for Screen Practitioners - Wellington
2025-02-13 08:00 - 2025-02-14 17:00
Mental Health First Aid is the help provided to a person who is; developing a mental health challenge, experiencing a worsening of a mental health challenge, or in a mental health crisis.
Become a Mental Health First Aider with this 2 x day FREE course in Wellington & Auckland – learn skills to support your workmates and your industry.
Brought to you by Miranda Rivers, Accredited Mental Health First Aid Instructor and Casting Director and Laura Conlon, Accredited Mental Health Instructor/trainer, Clinical Social Worker and External Supervisor.
This course is made possible with the generous support of the NZ Film Commission.
On completion of the course, all participants will receive a Mental Health First Aid certificate valid for 3 years.

Lighting Masterclass with DP Aaron Morton and Gaffer Scott Harman
2025-02-17 08:00 - 17:00 | TBA
The NZCS is excited to kick off our 2025 Professional Development Program with a Masterclass in Auckland with our President, internationally respected DP Aaron Morton NZCS, who is around for a short time before he heads to the USA to prep a project.
In association with the NZCS Major National Sponsor, Xytech Lighting Rentals, Aaron and Gaffer Scott Harman will host a practical lighting presentation, from 10.00am to 3.30pm, on Sunday March 2nd with a lunch-break around noon.
Aaron and Scott will demonstrate a variety of lighting approaches, and techniques using models, props and practicals, and there will also be a chance to view some newly-released lighting units courtesy of Xytech. This will be an opportunity for Aaron to pass on knowledge about how he has developed his personal style, and how he approaches the challenges of the craft. The session will reveal insights such as why Aaron still considers a light meter one of his most important lighting tools and why he prefers to operate a camera in the thick of the drama, rather than be stuck in a DIT tent.
This course is aimed at our more experienced cinematographers. There are only 20 places available, so we are opening up pre-sales to NZCS Cinematographer Members first and will release to the general membership in the following 24 hrs. Register quickly, as we anticipate a high demand.
Cost is $160 for NZCS Cinematographer Members – 24 hr pre-sale.
Places are limited to 20 so exclusive to NZCS members only.
Details of the venue will be e-mailed to registrants. Lunch and morning/afternoon tea will be provided.
Morning session will be 10.00am- 12.00pm, lunch from 12.00pm to 1.45pm, afternoon session from 1.45pm – 3.00pm
Any enquiries please email pd@nzcine.com

Mental Health First Aid for Screen Practitioners – Auckland
2025-02-21 - 2025-02-22

Screenwriting: What Producers Need to Know
2025-02-22 - 2025-02-23 | Building 11, Dart House, Remarkables Park Town Centre, 12 Hawthorne Drive, Frankton,, Queenstown, 9300
Script to Screen in collaboration with Film Queenstown Lakes presents Screenwriting: What Producers Need to Know a two day workshop delivered by renowned Australian script editor/EP/creative producer Claire Dobbin.
Getting to work with Claire Dobbin is a rare opportunity for those committed to investing in themselves, their creativity, and their future as screen story tellers. Designed for producers, writers, HOD’s and other key creatives, Claire has developed and delivered workshops worldwide.
Effective collaboration is one of the key pillars of a screen storytellers toolkit, and is essential for all crew, whether they be above or below the line. The workshop will cover:
How to build mutually respectful and productive relationships
How to develop confidence to explore creative conversations, and to find a shared vision with collaborators
The function that script development plays in the final production
How to identify story issues, exploring solutions through a questioning process while upholding the creative vision of a script
Advanced preparation of approximately 16-24 hrs is required. Participants will have a curated watch list and script reading to complete. These case studies will form an integral foundation for the analysis and discussion undertaken over the weekend.
This workshop was initiated by Film Otago Southland and also made possible thanks to generous support from Film Otago Southland, Film Queenstown Lakes, and Central Lakes Arts Support Scheme (CLASS) to help build creative capability in the Otago and Southland regions.
When and where:
Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 February 2025
9:00am – 5:00pm
Building 11, Dart House, Remarkables Park Town Centre
12 Hawthorne Drive, Frankton, Queenstown 9300
Wheelchair Access is available. If you require special assistance, please let us know.
Cost:
Was $85 Now $20 Total * Tickets have been generously subsidised by Film Queenstown Lakes
On both days morning tea and afternoon tea provided, BYO lunch.
Note: Places are limited. In order to complete the online registration you will be asked a series of short answer questions. You will be notified at least 2 weeks prior, if you have gained a place within the workshop.

VALUE YOUR WORTH
2025-02-22 13:00 - 17:00 | Click Studios, 525 Rosebank Rd, Avondale, Auckland
VALUE YOUR WORTH with former Chief Executive of The Ministry for Women Dr Jo Cribb and Theresa Healey on Saturday 22 February, 2025
Ever struggled to negotiate a contract? Ready to polish those skills?
Been talked over in a meeting? (PROBABLY!) Feel undervalued? (DEFINITELY!) Hate conflict? (DON’T WE ALL?)
This workshop is ideal to build self confidence when negotiating!!
LEARN TO VALUE YOUR WORTH!
?☀️EVENT DETAILS☀️?
Date: 22nd February
Time: 1 PM – 5 PM, includes late afternoon networking drinks.
Venue: Click Studios, 525 Rosebank Road, Avondale, Auckland
$10 for WIFT Members
$25 for Non-Members.
Includes networking drinks & nibbles.
Spaces are limited!!
Ngā mihi to Screenrights for making this workshop possible.

ShowNews Academy - Brazil
2025-02-25 20:00 - 23:00 | Academy Cinema, 44 Lorne St, Auckland, New Zealand
This month writer Clinton Phillips has chosen Terry Gilliam’s 1985 classic visionary Orwellian fantasy, dark comedy, that’s filled with strange, imaginative visuals.
The film won 2 BAFTA’s – Best Production Design and Special Effects. And it was nominated for 2 Oscars – Best Writing and best Art Direction.
Directed by Terry Gilliam
Starring Michael Palin, Peter Vaughan, Kim Greist, Katherine Helmond, Ian Richardson, Robert De Niro, Ian Holm, Jim Broadbent, Bob Hoskins, Jonathan Pryce
Tickets only $10!
Happy Hour drinks from 7pm.
Screening 8:00pm.
‘In the dystopian masterpiece BRAZIL, Jonathan Pryce plays a daydreaming everyman who finds himself caught in the soul-crushing gears of a nightmarish bureaucracy. This cautionary tale by Terry Gilliam, one of the great films of the 1980s, has come to be esteemed alongside antitotalitarian works by the likes of George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, and Kurt Vonnegut Jr. And in terms of set design, cinematography, music, and effects, BRAZIL is a nonstop dazzler.’

RUNT - Screening and Director Q&A
2025-03-03 18:30 - 20:30 | The Capitol Cinema, 610 Dominion Road, Auckland
Join Script to Screen for a special screening of the Australian box office hit film Runt, followed by a conversation with Director John Sheedy and STS Executive Director Dale Corlett.
This is a family friendly movie and for less than the cost of a coffee each, we encourage you to bring your family to the screening and Q&A.
Hear about John’s journey from theatre into feature film directing including the unique journey this film took from book to screen, and see if it’s true why they say “never to work with children or Animals” or in this case Dogs.
Monday 3rd March 2025
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm FILM
8:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Q&A
The Capitol Cinema, 610 Dominion Road, Balmoral, Auckland 1041
Following the screening and conversation, there will be time for networking.
$5.75 (incl. GST) for sales via Humanitix to secure your seat.
SPEAKER: John Sheedy – Director
John Sheedy is a multi-award winning Australian film, television, theatre director and writer.
His first feature film, H is for Happiness for Cyan Films, Universal Pictures Australia and Level K, premiered at the 2019 Melbourne International Film Festival, and won the prestigious Film Prize at Cinefest Oz. The film’s international premiere was at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2020 and it went on to receive a Special Mention by the Children’s Jury in the Generation Kplus section. John’s first short film Mrs McCutcheon won best Australian Short Film at the Melbourne International Film Festival 2017 and was invited to over 130 Festivals globally, winning 47 festival awards on the way through. He also received the award for Best Director at the 2018 Australian Directors Guild Awards.Most recently, John was set up director on the ABC drama series In Our Blood and Paramount Plus’s new teen drama series More Than This. He also directed a short film called Tarneit which is currently screening all over the world and has so far picked up 15 wins, including the prestigious IRIS Award in Wales and has received several nominations. John is currently attached as writer and director for the Screen Australia Funded feature 10 Moments, produced by Big and Little Pictures. John directed the new feature film Runt based on the Craig Silvey novel of the same name for See Pictures. Since it’s release Runt has become the third biggest local film of the year.
MODERATOR: Dale Corlett – Script to Screen Executive Director
Prior to joining Script to Screen in 2024, for 9 1/2 years he was the Head of Talent Development at the NZFC. During this time over 80% of the filmmakers supported through the various NZFC short films programmes have progressed into development or production on their feature films and tv shows. Dale was the CEO/Creative Director of GMAC Film in Scotland, responsible for identifying and developing high quality emerging talent and supporting their progression from shorts to features and developing careers. He was also proactive in the creation of innovative, diversity-led and gender focused talent development programmes across Scotland and the UK. He is a graduate of Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School who has worked as a director, actor, producer and writer. He was nominated for a Scottish BAFTA Best Director Award in 2009 for his debut feature film, Running Traffic.

Take the Reel into Your Own Hands: Self Distribution
2025-03-12 17:30 - 20:00 | Weta Workshop Group Space, 129 Park Road, Miramar, Wellington, 6022
In an ever-evolving screen industry, self-distribution is becoming an empowering – sometimes the only – option for filmmakers. This WIFT NZ workshop brings you producers who have successfully self-distributed both scripted and documentary films. It can be done!!
Jane Mahoney – Maurice & I
Cass Avery – The Girl on the Bridge
with Jasmin McSweeney as moderator
Hear firsthand insights on navigating festival strategies, securing theatrical and digital releases, building engaged audiences and making self-distribution work for your project. Whether you’re looking for alternatives to traditional distribution or keen to learn from those who have done it, this session will be packed with practical advice and real-world experiences.
Date: 12 March
Time: 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Venue: Weta Workshop Group Space, 129 Park Rd. Miramar, Wellington
FREE FOR WIFT MEMBERS
$20 NON MEMBERS – Ticket includes drinks and nibbles

Fraud Film Festival New Zealand
2025-03-17 - 2025-03-18 | The Roxy Cinema, 5 Park Road, Miramar, Wellington, 6022
Since 2016, New Zealand’s very own International Fraud Film Festival has shone a light on the importance of fighting fraud.
The overall objective of the festival is to raise awareness of fraud in NZ and contribute to the fight against it by providing a forum for productive discussion and collaboration between public and private sector organisations.
As with previous events, we will do this by staging two days of high-quality fraud themed documentaries and films centred around panel discussions, audience Q and A and opportunities for networking and engaging with others who are either in the business of fraud prevention or have a real interest in the subject.

Lights, Camera, Geek Out! Rob Marsh NZCS & Niki Winer Talk SONY’s Venice
2025-03-18 18:00 - 21:00 | Dept. Of Post, Newton Rd, Auckland
Lights, Camera, Geek Out! Rob Marsh NZCS & Niki Winer Talk SONY’s Venice
18 Mar 2025 6:00 PM
Join us in Auckland for an exciting, hands-on event with DP Rob Marsh NZCS and 1st Assistant Camera Niki Winer, as they share their experience, tips, and tricks for using SONY’s Venice Camera.
We’re proud to share the collective knowledge & experience of our talented members. In this relaxed session, Rob will walk you through the ins and outs of working with one of SONY’s top-of-the-line cinema cameras, sharing insights on shooting styles and the looks he loves to create. Niki will also bring her firsthand knowledge, offering a unique perspective—though, she won’t actually let Rob touch the camera for fear of him changing the settings!
SONY is generously collaborating with us on this event and will bring a selection of their Cinema Line cameras along for attendees to explore in the mezzanine before we head into the theatre for Rob and Niki’s presentation.
This is your chance to get hands-on with the gear and gain valuable knowledge on everything from shooting techniques to camera specs. It’s going to be a fun, geek-out session — because what are we at NZCS if not a diverse bunch of proud nerds?
Free for NZCS members.
Not yet a member? For just $35, you can attend this event and get a taste of what being part of the NZCS community is all about. If you love the experience, consider joining us as an Associate member for only $207 per year — that’s access to this event and many more throughout the year, all included! It’s a fantastic way to tap into the wealth of knowledge and opportunities our members enjoy, and we’d love to welcome you to our community.
Refreshments, nibbles & gear from 6 PM.
Presentation starts at 7 PM sharp.

Professional Respect Workshop - Wellington
2025-03-21 08:30 - 17:00 | Worser Bay Boating Club, Karaka Bay Road, Wellington
ScreenSafe’s Professional Respect Training Project was developed to support WORKSAFE’s health & safety guidelines around harassment.
The course will address predominately sexual harassment and also includes bullying, harassment, definitions, disclosures, and respectful behaviours in the workplace. Be a part of this screen sector culture change and help make the sector a safe environment for everyone.
The initiative is designed and implemented by ScreenSafe and we are very grateful for the ongoing financial support from the New Zealand Film Commission and NZ on Air.
ScreenSafe encourages everyone in a position of responsibility to upskill accordingly.
Numbers for each workshop are limited to 20, so book your space now!
Note: This workshop focuses on sexual harassment prevention within the Screen Industry. If you would like to talk with someone about the content of the training and the safety of participants during the workshop, please contact Kelly Lucas at ScreenSafe or our independent Sexual Harm Prevention Specialist and Workshop Facilitator Rachel Harrison

ShowNews Academy - In The Heat Of The Night
2025-03-25 20:00 - 22:00 | Academy Cinema, 44 Lorne St, Auckland, New Zealand
Each month ShowNews presents a film at Academy Cinemas picked by a special film industry guest. For March, the chosen film is the winner of five Academy Awards, including for Best Picture: IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT – one of the most enduring Hollywood films of the civil rights era. Picked by Academy Cinemas regular Phillip McKinnon.
Happy Hour drinks from 7:00pm.
Screening 8:00pm.
Directed by Norman Jewison
Starring Warren Oates, Rod Steiger, Lee Grant, Sidney Poitier, Larry Gates
Rated M
110 minutes
‘Passing through the backwoods town of Sparta, Mississippi, Philadelphia detective Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier) becomes embroiled in a murder case. He forms an uneasy alliance with the bigoted police chief (Rod Steiger), who faces mounting pressure from Sparta’s hostile citizens to catch the killer and run the African American interloper out of town.
Director Norman Jewison splices incisive social commentary into this thrilling police procedural with the help of Haskell Wexler’s vivid cinematography, Quincy Jones’s eclectic score, and two indelible lead performances—a career-defining display of seething indignation and moral authority from Poitier and an Oscar-winning masterclass in Method acting from Steiger.’

Māoriland Film Festival 2025
2025-03-26 - 2025-03-30
Māoriland Film Festival was founded in 2014 to celebrate Indigenous voices and storytelling in film.
The MFF has grown to be the largest presenter of Indigenous storytelling in the Southern Hemisphere with year-round screen and arts programmes that include; industry events, rangatahi filmmaking, creative technology (animation/VR/AR/XR), the NATIVE Minds lecture series, performing arts, music and theatre performances, a full visual arts programme at its art gallery Toi Matarau at the Māoriland Hub.
Māoriland Film Festival and the Māoriland Hub is based in Ōtaki, Aotearoa. Both are owned by the Māoriland Charitable Trust (NZ Charities Commission: CC53677)
The 12th Māoriland FIlm Festival – MFF25 will take place from March 26 – 30, 2025.

*FREE* Intro to Working in the Film/TV Industry Webinar
2025-04-06 17:00 - 18:30 | online
Are you new to seeking professional work in the film/TV industry?
Do you need guidance on:
How to find work?
How to effectively market yourself?
How to successfully network?
How to even know where to begin?!
What are some great resources for the NZ industry?
How to show up in the right energy to get aligned work?
AND more…!
Join this session for a deep dive that could save you YEARS of feeling lost and making mistakes.
Hosted by Coach and Costumer, Crystel Tottenham. Please sign up with the link or QR code and share! I look forward to seeing you there and helping you get a jump start on your career building.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfmcrVLoo0wMONz-HAcWN1vtamVQS2nMvqLvG1krTaf4M2lJA/viewform

Filmmaker Talks: Redefining the "New Zealand Film"
2025-04-10 18:30 - 20:00 | Studio 230, 230 Ponsonby Road, Auckland, 1011
‘Filmmaker Talks’ is a series of events hosted by Aotearoa Independent Film and Fish Entertainment featuring in person, sit down discussions and audience Q&As with working kiwi filmmakers.
This series aims to educate and inspire working and aspiring kiwi independent filmmakers with first hand knowledge of alternative filmmaking production practices, and give you the know-how on how Kiwi filmmakers can produce practical and effective films without relying on the traditional NZ production pipelines.
Hosted by local independent filmmaker, F. Theodore Elliott, the ‘Filmmaker Talks’ series is structured to facilitate not just learning, but in-person social networking opportunities. Before and after the presentations and Q&A there will be time to hang out, meet the filmmakers and other attendees, share ideas and get inspired.
In this first event, Theo will be talking with Nick Garrett and Mark J. Cassidy – producers of THE CANYON and DEATHGASM II.
We aim for these events to be a place where filmmakers of all experience levels can come along and gain something from the experience.
We look forward to seeing you there.

NZWG AI Advice Handbook: Presentation with Q&A Session – 7pm
2025-04-10 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Are you wanting to experiment with ChatGPT, Claude, Google Gemini, or other AI tools to develop scripts, treatments, or story ideas?
While these tools offer exciting possibilities, they also introduce complex questions around copyright, ownership, and collaboration that screenwriters need to understand.
The NZWG ‘AI Advice: Handbook for Screenwriters’ covers the concerns, implications, and advice for screenwriters to assist them when they are working on their own, or with others in the generative AI arena.
