New Zealand International Film Festival

Auckland is rolling out the red carpet and turning the cameras on leading edge New Zealand and international film industry players with the launch of the 41st New Zealand International Film Festival.

Held at various cinematic venues in the city centre, this festival features 17 days of high quality international documentaries, experimental films, animations, shorts and archival programmes from New Zealand and around the globe.

The festival provides the perfect winter warmer with a little something to suit everyone.

For more information go to

A conversation with Kath Shelper (producer of Samson and Delilah) and Anne O'Brien (executive director of Women in Film and Television)

Thursday 23 July 2009
5.30pm to 6.15pm
Screening: 6.30pm, followed by a Q&A session

Come along to the Festival Lounge at The Civic theatre to take part in a conversation with Kath Shelper and Anne O'Brien.

This will be followed by a public screening of Samson and Delilah (please note - tickets required), finishing with an on-stage Q&A session.

Auckland City Council is proud to host this event.

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Oscar winner confirmed in festival line up

16, 17, 19 and 20 July 2009at various venues

No one was more surprised than director Takita Yojiro when Departures headed off widely admired contenders (The Class and Waltz with Bashir) to win the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film this year.

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Big River Man

10, 12 and 13 July  2009 at SKYCITY Theatre

Marathon endurance swimmer Martin Strel attributes his stamina to a diet of horse burgers and alcohol.

The raucous beer-bellied Slovenian has swum the length of the Mississippi and survived the toxic wastes that stream into the Yangtze.

At 52, he's ready for the Amazon!

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Updated June 2009