The Capitol

- OFFICIAL SELECTION: Festival de Cannes (Out of Competition - Based on the incredible true story and autobiography of Commander Mohamed Bida, 13 Days, 13 Nights is an intense and profound thriller. Kabul, August 15, 2021. As US troops prepare to withdraw from Afghanistan, the Taliban storm the capital and seize power, plunging the city into chaos. Thousands of Afghans flock to the last safe haven: the French Embassy, where Commander Mohamed Bida (Roschdy Zem, The Innocent) and his elite crew ensure security. Inside the compound, Bida and his team scramble to hold the line as the world outside descends into chaos. With the help of Eva (Lyna Khoudri, The French Dispatch) - a young French-Afghan humanitarian worker - they must negotiate with the Taliban to organize a convoy in a last-ditch attempt to evacuate. Thus begins a race against time to reach the airport and flee the hell of Kabul before it’s too late... With 13 Days, 13 Nights, director Martin Bourboulon (The Three Musketeers, Eiffel) has crafted a breathless, edge-of-your-seat experience that simply must be seen on the big screen.

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/58th/ The 2009 Maguindanao Massacre was the deadliest attack on journalists in history. Through the eyes of Reynafe Castillo, daughter of the missing 58th victim, the film blends animation, archival footage and harrowing memories to chronicle a family’s relentless fight for justice amidst a landscape of political violence. Director Carl Joseph Papa Producer Annette Gozon-Valdes, Nessa Valdellon, Johnson Tam, Ian Carlos Simbulan Country Philippines Language English, Tagalog Year 2026 Duration 86 min Category Facing the Edge

This exciting debut feature from Maël Piriou follows a delightful cast of characters on a road trip that will change their lives. Julia Piaton (also starring in Colours of Time) plays Mélanie, a gifted lawyer suffering from a terminal illness. Deciding it’s time to live life on her own terms, she convinces her old school friend Benjamin (Quentin Dolmaire, also starring in The Money Maker) to accompany her on a road trip to Spain. Joining them as their burly chauffer is Lucas (Grégory Gadebois, also starring in Jean Valjean), one of Mélanie’s clients who has recently been released from prison. In exchange for her legal services, Mélanie ropes him into taking the wheel. The unlikely trio embark on an unforgettable journey across stunning vistas that will lead them to understand more about themselves, and each other. Mélanie is driven by urgency, while Benjamin lingers over every detour, stretching out the miles in an attempt to somehow slow down the clock. What began as an impulsive getaway becomes a poignant exploration of friendship, intimacy, and the true meaning of independence. A Dash of Love is a tender and deeply human reminder for us to embrace joy while we can. This is a trip you will most certainly want to take!

After twenty years of devotion to her convent, Sister Lucie’s (Marilou Berry) quiet life is upended when she is separated from her sisterhood during a group outing. While trying to find her way home, she spots a familiar face on a television screen: her teenage sweetheart, now accused of a high-profile murder. Convinced of his innocence, she makes the impulsive decision to try to help him. Lucie’s disappearance has caused panic back at the convent, and the formidable Mother Superior Henriette (Isabelle Nanty, Amélie) sends two nuns to track her down and bring her back. A Nun in the City is a heartwarming, comedic story where faith, freedom and past love collide with surprising results.

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/a-war-on-women/ Triggered by Mahsa Amini’s death in morality police custody, the film looks beyond headlines to uncover Iranian women’s forty-year struggle against the theocratic regime. Through interviews, archival material, and rare footage from inside Iran, the film traces an unbroken resistance shaped by prison, exile, and courage across generations and borders. Historical and urgent. Personal and political. A testament to the enduring spirit of Iranian women and a call to stand with them. Director Raha Shirazi Producer Marco Serrecchia, Marica Stocchi, Beatrice Bordone Bulgari, Gianluca Curti Country Italy Language English, Farsi Year 2026 Duration 102 min Category Fearless Wahine

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/a-war-on-women/ Three physicians — Palestinian, Jewish and Zoroastrian— are unlikely friends united by a single oath to save lives. Dr Thaer Ahmad is measured and strategic, Dr Mark Perlmutter is blunt and wears his heart on his sleeve, and Dr Feroze Sidhwa is media-savvy and prolific. Captured as events unfold on the ground, the film follows them from a Gazan hospital under siege to the halls of Congress. Together, they fight to honour a promise to their Palestinian colleagues and patients, carrying the struggle to where it matters most: the United States of America. Director Poh Si Teng Producer Kristine Barfod, Reem Haddad Country Denmark, Malaysia, Palestine, Qatar, United States Language Arabic, English Year 2026 Duration 93 min Category Being Oneself Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/american-doctor/

Director Pascal Bonitzer (Maigret and the Dead Lover) brings this charming tale from the late Sophie Fillières brilliantly to life. French acting legend Fabrice Luchini plays popular performer Robert Zucchini, who has built his career on a stage act that lauds the works of the famous writer Victor Hugo. Robert’s bold reverence of Hugo’s ‘male genius’ doesn’t always play well with more enlightened modern audiences, and he finds himself not only at odds with a feminist theatre troupe, but with his adult daughter Lisbeth (Marie Narbonne, The Count of Monte Cristo), who has recently reappeared in his life. Robert wrestles with how art meets with politics - but more importantly, with his real-life relationships. Where he once took refuge in texts of the past, Lisbeth demands his presence in the moment. Little by little, with his daughter’s help, Robert begins to reconnect with his past, open up to others and relearn the practice of his craft. Pascal Bonitzer has crafted a slick, emotional, funny account of modern problems playing out on and off stage. Centred by a brilliant performance from the always-exceptional Fabrice Luchini, An Evening with Victor Hugo is a must-see at the 2026 Festival.

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/cagnat-drawing-or-nothing-cagnat-le-dessin-sinon-sien/ Since the Charlie Hebdo attack, Jean-Pierre Cagnat, a press cartoonist, no longer draws. The National Library of France offered to archive part of his work. After his divorce from his wife, he left his 17,000 drawings in the cellar of his family home, which he no longer lives in. His daughter, Director Alice Cagnat, proposed an arrangement: she would help him sort through his drawings, in exchange for his life story as a man and an artist. Screening Note: This film is preceeded by the short film, If You Don’t Like It, Look Away (Au Bain des Dames), (30 mins) Director Alice Cagnat Producer Alexandre Hallier, Jérémy Pouilloux, Thomas Schmitt Country France Language French Year 2024 Duration 52 min Category French Connection Premiere International

Book Here : https://docedge.nz/events/cambodian-beer-dreams/ In Cambodia, major international breweries are battling to win the war over the rapidly growing beer market. Through aggressive marketing, the poor population is encouraged to drink more alcohol in one of the world’s most corrupt countries. The film follows an activist who dares to stand up to the beer industry, fighting an uneven battle to introduce a national alcohol law. At the same time, we meet beer sellers, singers, and beer girls who dream that the beer industry will become their path to a better life. Director Laurits Nansen Producer Malene Flindt Pedersen, Signe Skov Thomsen Country Denmark, France, Sweden Language Central Khmer Year 2026 Duration 82 min Category Crime & Conspiracy

- OFFICIAL SELECTION: Festival de Cannes (Competition) - - CÉSAR AWARD WINNER: Best Actress – Léa Drucker - Léa Drucker took home the Best Actress César award for her performance in this gripping thriller from Dominik Moll (Only the Animals), selected for official competition at Cannes International Film Festival 2025. Drucker plays Stéphanie, an Internal Affairs police officer who is assigned the case of a young man severely wounded during a tense and chaotic demonstration in Paris. When she discovers that the victim hails from her hometown of Saint-Dizier, the case suddenly becomes far more personal. While nothing initially points to police misconduct, Stéphanie soon finds herself isolated in a system hellbent on protecting its own. With officers refusing to talk, Sophie turns to housekeeper and reluctant witness Alicia Mady (Guslagie Malanda, Saint Omer), whose testimony holds the key to the truth - but puts them both in danger. This compelling crime drama highlights themes of loyalty and justice that resonate long after the final scene, anchored strongly by Lea Drucker’s commanding role.

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/films/ceremony/ After a long winter in Bella Coola’s Coast Mountains, the arrival of the ooligan was a time of celebration for the Nuxalk people. It brought vital nourishment and medicine. For 26 years they have been gone. The Nuxalk Nation carries this absence like a wound: an ecosystem collapse entangled with smallpox, occupied land, and silenced culture. Now, as one family builds the first home back in their ancestral village, something stirs in the river. Director Banchi Hanuse Producer Banchi Hanuse Country Canada Language English Year 2026 Duration 84 min Category Turangawaewae Where We Stand

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/coexistence-my-ass/ Noam Shuster Eliassi grew up the literal poster child for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process before making a hard pivot to stand-up comedy and political satire. Raised in a bilingual Israeli-Palestinian village — the only intentionally integrated community in the country — Noam grows disillusioned with traditional peace activism. As the region sinks deeper into devastating violence, she must meet the moment by challenging her audiences with hard truths that are no laughing matter. Director Amber Fares Producer Amber Fares, Rachel Leah Jones, Valérie Montmartin Country France, United States Language Arabic, English, Hebrew Year 2025 Duration 95 min Category Fearless Wahine

Book Tickets: https: https://docedge.nz/events/collapse/ Shortly after October 7, 2023, Director Even returns to what was once her home, traversing for over two years the remnants of the kibbutz of Nir Oz and its environs, now repurposed for tourist itineraries and military training exercises. From distant vantage points along the fence demarcating the Gaza Strip, she observes the gradual ruination across the border and the calculated maneuvers of IDF troops. A cinematic essay, the film chronicles systematic violence while exposing the muted indifference of spectators. Director Anat Even Producer Etienne de Ricaud Country France Language English, Hebrew Year 2026 Duration 78 min Category French Connection

- OFFICIAL SELECTION: Festival de Cannes (Out of Competition) - Director Cedric Klapisch has crafted a genuine crowd pleasing story that blends the excitement, wonder and art of Belle Epoque France with present day themes around identity, legacy and connection. In 1895, young Adele (Suzanne Lindon) leaves Normandy for Paris, a city alive and buzzing with invention, photography and the rise of Impressionism. In the present day, her descendants inherit an unexpected legacy : a country side house in Normandy, abandoned for decades and suspended in time. Four of Adele’s descendants arrive to survey the Estate, and together end up piecing together the story of Adele’s unexpected life. Colours of Time is a charming and fascinating family saga, and is sure to be a hit at this year’s Festival. Book your opening night tickets now!

- OFFICIAL SELECTION: Toronto International Film Festival - - OFFICIAL SELECTION: San Sebastian Film Festival - Angelina Jolie turns in a career-best performance in this immaculate drama set in the high stakes fashion world. Taking place during the frenzy of Paris Fashion week, Jolie plays American filmmaker Maxine Walker, commissioned to direct a film for a prestigious label. After receiving sudden, life-changing news, Maxine crosses paths with two other women: Ada (Anyier Anei), a young South Sudanese model who has escaped her predetermined destiny to make a name for herself, and makeup artist Angéle (Ella Rumpf, Marguerite’s Theorem) who quietly dreams of a different life. While their backgrounds couldn’t be more different, the three women form a strong bond. Amid the glamorous scenes of haute couture, each must make choices small and significant, and confront major career decisions. Anchored by Jolie’s memorable portrayal, the intertwining journeys of these three women are supported by excellent turns from Louis Garrel (The Three Musketeers) and Vincent Lindon (Another World).

Elsa Zylberstein (Simone: Woman of the Century) and Didier Bourdon (The Scammers) star in this inventive time travel comedy that sharply explores societal roles. It’s 1958 in quiet suburbia. Hélène (Zylberstein) and Michel (Bourdon) live a simple but happy life with their two children. Michel works in a bank, while Hélène focuses her efforts on their home and family life. Through an unexpected and unlikely series of events, the couple find themselves catapulted into the 21st century. The year is 2025, and everything they know has changed. Hélène and Michel grapple with new technology, social rituals, and the frantic pace of modern life. Hélène now finds herself a successful bank manager and the sole breadwinner, while Michel has become the stay-at-home-husband. As they navigate this unfamiliar world, the pair must confront new ways of thinking, loving and living. Hélène and Michel are left wondering not how they will survive in their new reality, but whether they even want to... Propelled by hilarious performances from Zylberstein and Bourdon, Cycle of Time is a delightfully subversive comedy that will have you rediscovering the present through the eyes of two characters from a bygone era.

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/dance-for-your-life/ An intimate portrait into the highly competitive world of the commercial back-up dancer where chances are few, and your best friends are your competition. Brent Street, Australia’s leading commercial dance schools, is offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to send ten of its best dancers, past and present, to London to audition for international dance company, Shapehaus Dance Theatre, led by renowned dancer and choreographer, Dean Lee. Who will make the cut? Director Luke Cornish Producer Brendan Dahill, David Alrich, Jade Barnes Country Australia Language English Year 2026 Duration 105 min Category Art of Becoming

Direct from the world premiere in France comes De Gaulle: Tilting Iron. June 1940. France collapses and signs the Armistice. In the midst of the chaos, one man, Charles de Gaulle, refuses to give up. Taking the ultimate gamble he flees to London and seeks to convince the world that the battle for France is neither over or lost. What follows next is a triumphant story of faith, audacity and an unshakeable quest for freedom. Antonin Baudry has crafted a powerful and dramatic view of a man at the very centre of a turning point in history, on his path to becoming a 20th century leader and cultural icon. The reality of intense politics, family struggles and the impact of war are deftly drawn in this geopolitical thriller, which has been more than five years in the making. Sure to be a talking point of the Festival, don’t miss out on seeing this keenly anticipated film.

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/elon-musk-unveiled-the-tesla-experiment/ It is 2014 and tech billionaire Elon Musk unveils his plans for a self-driving car in front of an enthusiastic audience. What consumers don’t know is that Tesla’s “autopilot” function is far from road-ready, and new owners are being used to improve the software by providing their data. A fatal accident in Florida triggers a protracted lawsuit to hold Tesla accountable, and it is not the only incident. Shocking footage from dashcams and security cameras shows the ruthlessness of Tesla cars suddenly braking or accelerating, and the crashes that follow. Director Andreas Pichler Producer Christian Beetz Country Germany Language English Year 2025 Duration 90 min Category Crime & Conspiracy

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/feather-strength/ Filmed over a decade, one father gradually relinquishes his professional life to meet the relentless demands of raising a child with severe developmental challenges. With a camera and no crew, he films intimate fragments of daily life – routine, rupture, exhaustion, and unexpected resilience – as the weight of the new normal presses against the limits of what he can sustain. A meditation on care, acceptance, and the strength required to navigate life’s wilderness. It is a story about learning to bend without breaking, and about discovering meaning not in resolution, but in the act of continuing – living the life you didn’t plan for. Screening Note: This film is preceeded by the short film, Chilapa Girl (Niña Chilapa),(17 mins). Director Jon Earle Producer Jon Earle Country Netherlands, New Zealand Language Dutch, English Year 2026 Duration 47 min Category Being Oneself

SOLD OUT When singing legend Hemi Pere is diagnosed with a terminal illness, he tasks his son, Hayden, with finding an estranged family member, “Honk”, so they can make peace before time runs out. As Hayden navigates Honk’s connections within the criminal underbelly, he must decipher clues and red herrings to solve the mystery of Honk’s whereabouts. The closer Hayden comes to finding Honk, the further he travels into danger. To fulfil his father’s dying wish, Hayden is pulled into the shadows of his own family history, where vengeful enemies and hidden truths threaten everything he holds dear. Director Eldon Booth Producer Alex Lovell, Eldon Booth, Heydon Hohaia, Jason Crane Country New Zealand Language English, Māori Year 2026 Duration 96 min Category Facing the Edge

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/first-cuts-are-the-deepest-baad-lek-jeb-luk/ Filmed over six years, the film follows three children growing up within Thailand’s education system. Potter adjusts to a new home and faith in the deep South; Nut comes of age in a spiritual boarding school; while Tee moves through an overcrowded classroom in Bangkok. Without commentary, the film observes how everyday moments of friendship, confusion, and solitude quietly shape who they become over time. Director Sopawan Boonnimitra, Peerachai Kerdsint Producer Sopawan Boonnimitra, John Badalu Country Thailand Language Thai Year 2026 Duration 106 min Category Around the World

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/for-life/ Hind, a Palestinian woman, has been living apart from her husband, Ramadan, who has been held in an Israeli prison, serving a life sentence for over twenty years. Their rare visits are limited to brief moments in a space divided by a glass partition, where physical contact is impossible. Despite everything, Hind remains determined to fulfill her desire to become a mother. To do so, she must secretly smuggle her husband’s sperm out of prison and undergo IVF treatment. Hind’s arduous journey intersects with the stories of other prisoners’ wives who share the same desire, forming a space of collective solidarity. For Palestinian women, this ordinary desire gradually transforms into an extraordinary act of resistance under the conditions of occupation. Director Ahmet Seven Producer Aslıhan Eker Çakmak Country Palestine, Turkey Language Arabic Year 2026 Duration 88 min Category Fearless Wahine

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/frost-without-snow-and-ice/ For ten years, Director Helgestad follows polar bear named Frost, a mother struggling to raise her cubs in a rapidly changing Arctic. A story of survival and love, conflict and loss in Svalbard, the fastest-warming place on earth. Helgestad is left with a question that frames the film: can empathy and understanding bridge the gap between humans and other animals before it’s too late? Director Asgeir Helgestad Producer Ageliki Lefkaditou, Asgeir Helgestad, Ola K. Hunnes Country Norway Language English, Norwegian Year 2026 Duration 95 min Category Around the World

In this tense psychological thriller, Pierre Niney (The Count of Monte Cristo) delivers a chilling performance as a popular life coach with a dedicated following. Mathieu Vasseur (Niney) delivers electrifying seminars, promising empowerment and transformation to his loyal fanbase. But behind his carefully curated image lies a more sinister reality. As Vasseur’s reach grows, the bonds he forms with his followers tighten into chains of control. Self-growth is traded for emotional reliance, and subtle influence becomes total psychological domination. What began as a quest for enlightenment for all involved becomes a predatory hierarchy. As scrutiny from skeptics and the law pushes Vasseur’s organisation towards obsession and collapse, he faces the question: how far can he go before his promise of freedom becomes a prison? Niney’s outstanding turn is bolstered by the excellent supporting cast of Marion Barbeau, Anthony Bajon (Beating Hearts), Christophe Montenez (also starring in 13 Days, 13 Nights) and Holt McCallany (Mindhunter). Guru is a razor-sharp examination of power dynamics that masterfully explores the thin line between mentorship and manipulation. Already a box office hit in France with over $16 million USD at the box office, make sure you don’t miss it!

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/half-moon/ New York based clarinettist virtuoso and composer Kinan Azmeh, a Damascus-born musician living in exile, attempts to find meaning and purpose after the outbreak of war in Syria. Director Scheffer follows Kinan over several years as he attempts to navigate this crisis of identity and purpose, travelling the world for concerts with other world-class musicians (including Yo-Yo Ma), revisiting his former mentors, and developing his own unique style of improvisational composition. A profound exploration of the role art can play in forging identity and community. Director Frank Scheffer Producer Jan de Ruiter, Jia ZhaoKinan Azmeh, Niek Koppen Country Netherlands Language English Year 2025 Duration 92 min Category Art of Becoming

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/in-the-path-of-giants/ In 2017, Bangladesh opened its borders to nearly a million Rohingya fleeing violence in Myanmar. But the vast camp built to shelter the refugees cut off Bangladesh’s wild elephants from their last migratory corridor, causing them to rampage across farmland in their search for food. The result is a tense stand-off as Rohingya refugees, local Bengalis and Indigenous farmers are forced to contend with the elephants in a fight for land, survival and a place to call home. Director Fayed Khan, Kirsty Wells Producer Md Shariful Islam, Dan Davies Country Bangladesh, United Kingdom Language Bengali, English, Rohingya Year 2025 Duration 89 min Category Around the World

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/inside-gaza/ Free access to the Gaza Strip has remained closed to international journalists since the war began on October 7, 2023. Agence France-Presse (AFP) local reporters are among the few witnesses inside, documenting the conflict while struggling to survive. From exile, they recount a war that has become the deadliest on record for the press. Drawing on hundreds of hours of footage, photographs and reporting, Mai Yaghi, Adel El-Zaanun, Mohammed Abed and Mahmud Hams evoke the shock of escalation, the constant presence of the dead and wounded, and the burden of bearing witness. Director Hélène Lam Trong Producer Yann Ollivier Country Belgium, France Language Arabic Year 2025 Duration 72 min Category French Connection

Victor Hugo’s masterpiece Les Misérables is one of the most beloved novels of the 19th century, and now the superb Grégory Gadebois has re-teamed with his Delicious writer/director Éric Besnard for this authentic and emotionally affecting retelling that charts the origin story of the tale’s legendary protagonist. 1815. Provence, France. In the peaceful village of Digne, rumour spreads that a dangerous man has entered the area; indeed, the hulking Valjean (Gadebois) has just been released from prison after nineteen years of hard labour. Branded a criminal and ostracised, Jean is repeatedly turned away. Desperate for a bed, he knocks at the door of the house of Monseigneur Bienvenu (Bernard Campan), who lives simply with his ailing sister (Isabelle Carré) and dedicated – but suspicious – servant (Alexandra Lamy). Without judgement, Bienvenu invites him in. And on this crucial night, Jean will face a choice that will define his future… With this superbly filmed exploration of justice, empathy and moral redemption, Besnard’s reflective and intimate drama – and Gadebois’ towering performance – bring new depth to Hugo’s hero, a spurned man transformed by kindness and compassion. Admirers of the source text and rich historical drama will not be disappointed by Jean Valjean.

From Eric Toledano and Oliver Nakache, the award-winning directors of The Intouchables and A Difficult Year comes Just an Illusion, a heartwarming and brilliant comedy set in the suburbs of Paris in 1985. The film follows Vincent (an incredible debut performance from Simon Boublil), a boy standing on the precipice of his 13th birthday and his Bar Mitzvah - a milestone that feels more like an identity crisis than a celebration. Vincent’s mother Sandrine (Camille Cottin, Three Friends) tries to hold the family together with her job as a secretary, while his father Yves (Louis Garrel, also starring in Couture) grapples with unemployment and a wounded ego. Caught between his parents’ frequent arguments and a distant older brother, Arnaud (Alexis Rosenstiehl), Vincent must find his own rhythm in a family that is out of sync. Simon Boublil is being hailed as a major discovery for his performance as Vincent, carrying this nostalgia soaked tale with a winning combination of vulnerability and dry humour. Meanwhile, French cinema stalwarts Cottin and Garrel deliver explosive but grounded chemistry. Directors Toledano and Nakache blend the infectious energy of a classic 80s soundtrack with their signature brand of heartfelt humour, for their most personal film to date. Book in quick to avoid disappointment!

Book Here : https://docedge.nz/events/kabul-between-prayers/ A devoted soldier of the Taliban’s ideology that has shaped his destiny since birth, Samim struggles between the alluring promises of martyrdom and the mundanity of his daily existence as a husband and farmer. Samim’s younger brother, Rafi, idolises him as he navigates the confusion of adolescence, leaving behind playfulness to enter a world shaped by decades of military intervention and resulting radicalisation. Director Aboozar Amini Producer Aboozar Amini Country. Belgium, Netherlands Language Pashto (Pushto) Year. 2025 Duration 101 min CategoryAround the World

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/kikuyu-land/ Set in Kenya’s tea highlands, Mr Mungai seeks justice for land taken from his family. His claim uncovers a deeper history of dispossession, bringing him into conflict with a multinational corporation still operating on contested ground. As the case gains momentum, it draws in Bea, a local news producer whose investigation reveals buried histories and long-silenced truths. Alongside them is Stephen, the son of a tea worker, growing up within the plantations at the centre of the dispute. Moving between legal battle and lived experience, the film traces a community’s struggle to reclaim what was lost and confront a past that remains unresolved. Director Andrew H. Brown, Bea Wangondu Producer Andrew H. Brown, Bea Wangondu, Joseph Njenga, Mike Morrisroe, Moses Bwayo Country Kenya, United States Language English, Swahili Year 2026 Duration 95 min Category Crime & Conspiracy

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/kings-of-venice/ A madcap look at the Paddle Tennis community of Venice Beach. Once thriving, it is now kept alive by a collection of oddballs, including an Italian male model, a degenerate gambler, and Hollywood’s most accomplished party crasher. When Pickleball arrives on the beach and overtakes their beloved courts, the locals hatch an over-the-top plan: a $50,000 winner-takes-all paddle tennis tournament — only to find top pickleball players entering. Director S.D. Saltarelli, Sveinn Ingimundarson Producer S.D. Saltarelli, Sveinn Ingimundarson Country United States Language English Year 2025 Duration 95 min Category Being Oneself

- OFFICIAL SELECTION: Festival de Cannes (Opening Film) - Making waves in 2025 as the first-ever debut feature selected to open the Cannes Film Festival, Amélie Bonnin’s joyously entertaining musical romance stars break-out singer/songwriter Juliette Armanet as a talented Parisian chef forced to reconnect with her small-town upbringing during an unexpected trip home. Cécile (Armanet) – a fan-favourite Top Chef winner – is about to finally realise her dream and open her own restaurant when her father, the cook at a small rural truck stop, falls unwell. Cécile must deal with a return to her roots that is more complicated than she imagined; when she runs into her teenage first love (César Award-winner Bastien Bouillon), old memories and sensations resurface... and then her fiancé, who senses something’s wrong, shows up. Evocatively depicting regional France and the complications of family life with tenderness and wit, Leave One Day interweaves music naturally into the story, blending several classics with more recent hits by artists such as Stromae and Céline Dion. Armanet, herself one of France’s most popular contemporary artists, performed John Lennon’s “Imagine” during the Paris Olympic Games’ opening ceremony and proves to be a shining discovery, in this warm-hearted and completely endearing gem.

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/legacy-heritieres/ At the crossroads of musical documentary, art film and poetic essay, this film delves into the musical project of the same name, bringing together more than twenty female musicians of different generations and cultural backgrounds. Through intimate testimonies and music, the film explores maternal legacy and the heritage carried between women across generations. Kiwi and Canadian co-directors Parry-Canet and Pion offer a full immersion into intergenerational memory. Director Karine Pion, Lucile Parry-Canet Producer Karine Pion, Lucile Parry-Canet Country Canada, New Zealand Language French Year 2025 Duration 86 min Category Art of Becoming

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/let-our-mountains-live/ Reindeer cannot eat money. Sámi reindeer herders Sissel Stormo Holtan, Terje Haugen, and Elise Holtan Pavall have spent two decades fighting Europe’s largest wind power project, built across vital Sámi reindeer grazing lands in Norway. Before legal challenges were resolved, 151 turbines were installed. In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court found the wind farm violated Sámi human rights, raising hopes the land would be restored. But the government refused to act, backing powerful energy interests and proposing coexistence. Now the reindeer herders face an impossible choice: accept a €14 million settlement to relocate, or continue a long legal battle. Director Håvard Bustnes Producer Håvard Bustnes Country Finland, Norway Language Norwegian Year 2026 Duration 100 min Category Crime & Conspiracy

Book Tickets: \https://docedge.nz/events/loving-karma/ In the remote foothills of the Himalayas, former monk Lobsang Phuntsok founded Jhamtse Gatsal, a refuge for children shaped by abandonment and trauma. Once a teacher in the United States of America, he returned to India to build the community he never had as an orphan. Tashi, the youngest and most volatile arrival, carries the scars of a fractured childhood and resists every attempt at care. Twelve years after the Emmy Award winning Tashi and the Monk, this film follows their lives and a new generation of children, revealing a community where healing emerges through shared responsibility, presence, and love. Director Johnny Burke, Andrew Hinton Producer Johnny Burke, Andrew Hinton Country India, United Kingdom, United States Language Hindi Year 2025 Duration 80 min Category Around the World

Following the break-out success of 2025 hit The Stolen Painting, acclaimed writer/director Pascal Bonitzer brings his unique perspective and panache to Simenon’s cherished Parisian detective - a French counterpart to Agatha Christie’s Poirot - as he attempts to solve the murder of a diplomat with a long-held secret. Inspector Maigret (four-time César nominee Denis Podalydès, in a tremendous performance) is urgently summoned to the Quai d’Orsay: a former ambassador has been found shot dead by his long-serving housekeeper (Anne Alvaro, The Taste of Others). But rather than contact the police, she has followed diplomatic protocols by first informing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Forewarned that he will find a series of salacious letters - and cautioned to be discrete - Maigret heads to the victim’s opulent apartment. He finds no forensic evidence at the crime scene, but certainly, the letters prove startling - secret, decades-spanning correspondence between the ambassador and the Princess of Vuynes, whose own husband, by strange coincidence, has also just died… Bonitzer, renowned for an intuitive and empathetic focus, finds a perfect match with a protagonist who relies on quiet observation. He delivers an absorbing, wholly compelling mystery that also serves as a thoughtful examination of modern life’s key concerns: hierarchy, aging, and the very different worlds that money creates. Best of all, the twist ending is… a killer.

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/films/mar-musa/ In the Syrian mountains of Al Ghalamoun, overlooking the vast desert, stands the ancient Christian monastery of Mar Musa, a beacon of interfaith dialogue and radical hospitality in a fractured land. The film follows the monks and nuns through intimate, observational storytelling as they navigate postwar devastation working towards peace, even in the face of grave personal loss. Through cinematography and a hypnotic score, this film emerges as a profound metaphor for Syria itself. Director Shahab Kermani Producer Marketa Polednova, Shahab Kermani Country Germany, Syria Language Arabic, English, German, Italian Year 2026 Duration 97 min Category Around the World

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/modern-whore/ Based on her book Modern Whore: A Memoir, Andrea Werhun portrays her past roles as escort Mary Ann, stripper Sophia, and an OnlyFans creator. Through a series of funny, raw and disarming encounters, Andrea explores intimacy, labour and identity, confronting how sex workers are seen and how they see themselves. This hybrid film pushes the conventional divide between documentary and fiction. Screening Note: This film is preceeded by the short film, Monster Slayer, (21 mins). Director Nicole Bazuin Producer Lauren Grant, Nicole Bazuin, Andrea Werhun Country Canada Language English Year 2025 Duration 80 min Category Facing the Edge

Book Tickets: https: https://docedge.nz/events/molly-vs-the-machines/ At 14, Molly Russell seemed like any other teenager. But behind her screen, powerful algorithms were shaping what she saw. After her sudden death, her father Ian begins a relentless search for answers, uncovering how social media systems can draw young users into dangerous spirals. From a teenager’s suburban bedroom to the boardrooms of Silicon Valley, this film is the story of a heartbroken father’s quest to uncover the truth behind his daughter’s death and his fightback against how the most powerful corporations of the modern age operate. A cautionary tale for both young people and parents. Director Marc Silver Producer Kat Mansoor, Natalie Humphreys Country United Kingdom Language English Year 2026 Duration 84 min Category Facing the Edge

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/music-and-the-mystical-experience/ Musician and sound engineer Michael Sutherland takes us on a metaphorical tour of his latest musical project involving over twenty talented New Zealanders, aimed at aiding the controversial practice of psychedelic therapy. Weaving artist interviews, numerous performances, and appearances from veterans in the psychedelic field, including Chris Bache, the film gives an insight into how music enhances a psychedelic therapy session, and how much thought and effort goes into getting that music just right. Director Isabel Corfiatis Producer Michael Sutherland, Isabel Corfiatis, Keegan Connor Country New Zealand Language English Year 2026 Duration 75 min Category Art of Becoming

Can someone with Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN) ride the route of the Tour de France? That's what Clive Phillips and a team of fellow veterans set out to discover during the Tour de MMN 2025, No One Rides Alone, follows the team as they ride along the 1955 Tour de France route, in the wheel tracks of the first British Tour de France team. It follows them as they push their limits, connect with others in the rare disease community, learn more about MMN and come face to face with the impacts of it and conditions like it. It's an inspirational story that resonates far beyond the MMN community and has lessons for us all whatever challenges we face.. Join members of the team for a screening of the film and Q and A session afterwards. The Tour de MMN and this film is raising funds for MMN Research with GBS|CIDP Foundation International. To donate go to https://p2p.onecause.com/tourdemmn. https://events.humanitix.com/no-one-rides-alone-auckland

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/nz-wars-stories-of-waerenga-a-hika/ Doc Edge is proud to present the world premiere of the latest episode of NZ Wars: Stories of Waerenga-a-Hika, a landmark moment for both the series and for the communities whose history it honours. In 1865, the pā at Waerenga-a-Hika became the flashpoint for one of the most significant conflicts of the New Zealand Wars. Within its walls, hundreds of Māori—men, women, and children—endured a siege that would irrevocably alter the future of Tūranganui-a-Kiwa. NZ Wars: Stories of Waerenga-a-Hika returns to this sacred site through the voices of descendants whose ancestors lived, fought, and survived. Blending intimate storytelling and dramatic reconstruction with the very landscapes where these events unfolded, the film brings to light a history long overlooked by many, but never forgotten by those who carry it. More than a chronicle of battle, this film is an act of remembrance and reclamation. It reflects on the enduring legacy of war and land loss while honouring the profound resilience of the Tūranga communities. Director Cameron Bennett, Richard Curtis Country New Zealand Year 2026 Duration 43 min Category Special Presentation

Based on the bestselling autobiography by Roland Perez, this exuberant and heartrending film pays tribute to a love like no other – a mother’s love for her child. In 1963, Roland is born to Esther, her sixth child in their close-knit Jewish immigrant family living in the Parisian suburbs. When Esther learns that Roland has been born with a club foot, she vows to ensure her son lives not just a normal life, but a fabulous one. She enlists the help of a determined specialist and the pop songs of Sylvie Vartan (who makes a cameo in the film) to help Roland defy all expectations and learn to walk. This joyful crowd-pleaser is vibrantly shot by Oscar-nominated cinematographer Guillaume Schiffman (The Artist) and features a powerhouse performance from Leïla Bekhti (Paris, je t’aime) as the fiercely devoted Esther. Once Upon My Mother absolutely smashed the French box office with over 1.5 million admissions, so is sure to be popular at this year’s Festival. Book your tickets now to avoid missing out!

Pitchblack Playback: Radiohead 'Amnesiac' (25th Anniversary) *Please arrive by event start time as latecomers will not be admitted and refunds will not be offered* Immerse yourself in Radiohead's experimental masterpiece 'Amnesiac' at Pitchblack Playback's listening session in the dark, celebrating its 25th anniversary. Hear this stunning album played loud in uncompressed audio on our powerful cinema sound system. No phones; no talking; no signing; no distractions; just you and the music. "This sounds great” — Rick Rubin "A fabulous idea" — Jay Kay, Jamiroquai "The optimal way to listen to an album" — Max Richter "This might just be my favourite new thing to do" — Nihal, BBC Radio 5 Live Ticket includes recycled cotton Pitchblack Playback eye mask for extra darkness. As recommended by The Guardian, GQ, Time Out and BBC 6 Music. Duration: 44 minutes

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/ranginui-call-of-the-ice/ Antarctica in winter is one of the most extreme places on Earth: isolated, locked in darkness, and -50°C. Māori astronomer Rangi Matamua and language expert Mataia Keepa enter this frozen world, where science and Indigenous knowledge meet in real time. Rangi carries a personal promise to honour his grandfather’s dying wish and share Māori starlore beyond Aotearoa. When unexpected snowstorms roll in, they are forced to stay longer than planned, cut off inside a continent that continues to shift and close in around them. Through auroras, storms, first sunrise and shifting ice, they learn to read a living landscape most will never witness. Director Julia Sartorio Producer Miriama Kamo, Rangi Matamua, Mataia Keepa, Julia Sartorio Country Antarctica, New Zealand Language English, Māori Year 2026 Duration 60 min Category Turangawaewae Where We Stand

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/redlight-to-limelight/ CAM-ON, a self-taught filmmaking collective of sex workers and their children, use cinema to reclaim their stories and challenge generations of stigma. Born into one of the most marginalised and caste-oppressed communities, they are not only telling their stories, but reshaping how they are seen. Through filmmaking, they move beyond lives long defined by others, building confidence, dignity and a renewed sense of self-worth. Told from within through vérité and self-shot footage, the film is a powerful portrait of resilience and transformation. Director Bipuljit Basu Producer John Webster, Nilotpal Majumdar, Uldis Cekulis Country Finland, India, Latvia Language Bengali Year 2025 Duration 100 min Category Fearless Wahine

Auteur Régis Wargnier (director of the Oscar-winning Indochine) returns to filmmaking for the first time in over a decade with the masterfully crafted globe-trotting drama Redress. Renowned chef Paskal Jankovski (Clovis Cornillac, A Little Something Extra) is moments away from announcing his third Michelin star when he suddenly vanishes. Disappearing alongside him is Antoine (Julien de Saint-Jean, Lie with Me), his trusted sous-chef. Paskal’s daughter Clara (Julia de Nunez) suddenly finds herself the inheritor of the family restaurant at just 20 years old. Once a paragon of Gallic gastronomic excellence, the establishment now faces an uncertain future. The void left by Paskal’s absence feels inescapable, while the mystery of his and Antoine’s disappearance remains unsolved. The enigma deepens when years later, traces of Paskal’s cooking style crop up at a restaurant in Taiwan. Clara must embark on a journey to find the truth about her father’s fate. A story that covers continents, cuisines and cultures, Redress is brought to life by strong performances and immaculate cinematography. You’ll be drawn in by the intriguing mystery, lush environments and variety of sumptuous dishes - just don’t see it on an empty stomach!

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/films/remathau-people-of-the-ocean/ Nicole Yamase becomes the first Micronesian and Indigenous person to dive to “Challenger Deep” in the Marianas Trench, the deepest point in the ocean. As global attention intensifies, the weight of expectation pushes her to confront what it means to carry this historic first. Beyond the record, she turns inward, exploring her identity as a descendant of master navigators. In the silence of the ocean’s depths, a richer story emerges of Pacific resilience where culture, language and ancestral knowledge endure. Director Daniel H. Lin Producer Anne Quidez, Daniel H. Lin, Nia Tero Country United States Language English Year 2025 Duration 70 min Category Turangawaewae Where We Stand Screening Note: This film is preceeded by the short film, Tied with the Tides, (10 mins). Director Andy Hui Liuxing Producer Naqea 'Atiqah Binte Osman, Andy Hui Liuxing Country Singapore Language English Year 2026 Duration 10 min Category Shorts World Premiere

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/replica/ Three women turn to AI lovers to fill gaps left by modern life. Qin, a factory worker in her twenties, creates the perfect boyfriend to escape isolation. Muna, a married housewife, uses AI to reclaim desire beyond the limits of her marriage. Sonya, independent and self-assured, treats AI as an experiment until it begins to unsettle her sense of control. As their relationships deepen, the film reveals the seductive pull of intimacy without friction, where affection is constant, responsive and designed to please. What happens to love when it no longer requires negotiation, and connection comes without consequence? Director Chouwa Liang Producer Andy Huang Country Australia, France Language Mandarin Year 2026 Duration 90 min Category Facing the Edge

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/?s=Return+to+the+Strange+ Renowned choreographer Jiří Kylián’s craft has always reflected his own life. His final choreography made for his lifelong love and collaborator, Sabine Kupferberg, is a deeply personal performance that celebrates love, creation, and the ephemeral nature of life. Set against the raw, windswept beauty of the Dutch island of Terschelling, the shifting light and landscape mirror the fragile boundary between life and its end. Blending movement and memory with a subtle sense of the tragicomic, the film becomes an intimate meditation on longing, love and the fleeting nature of existence. Director Olga Malířová Špátová Producer Michal Sikora, Carmen Thomas Country Czechia Language Czech Year 2026 Duration 72 min Category Art of Becoming Screening Note: This film is preceeded by the short film, Flashes in the Realm of Caves, (11 mins)." In the depths of an island’s underwater cave system, world renowned divers, Cristina Zenato and Kewin Lorenzen, blend artistry with activism as they navigate perilous dives to capture elaborate underwater photoshoots where Cristina free-dives in dresses as an attempt to champion an urgent environmental message. Director Madeline G Kennedy Producer Madeline G Kennedy Country Bahamas Language English Year 2025 Duration 11 min Category Shorts

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/revolutions-daughter/ Alina Fernández grew up in Havana not knowing she was Fidel Castro’s daughter, an open secret kept from her alone. Years before escaping Cuba and rebuilding her life in Miami, she made a choice that would define her: to speak out, and to keep speaking out. She calls it the only thing she ever really did, the one act she refused to shrink from. The film weaves Alina’s defiance into the broader fabric of Miami’s Cuban exile community, where artists and storytellers across generations carry the inheritance of revolution in their own ways, exploring identity, belonging, and what it costs to use your voice when silence would be easier. Director Thaddeus D. Matula Producer John Martinez O'Felan, Thaddeus D. Matula, Joe Lamy, Allen Gilmer, Javier Gonzalez Country United States Language English, Spanish Year 2025 Duration 85 min Category Fearless Wahine

Experience the breathtaking scenery of the Camino de Santiago in this life-affirming drama centred on an unforgettable pairing of characters. Adam (a powerful performance from up-and-comer Julien Le Berre) is a teenager who’s lost and heading in the wrong direction. After a run-in with the law, a judge hands over a surprising sentence: he must walk the 800 kilometre Camino de Santiago to think about his future. Assigned to walk the path with Adam is Fred (an excellent-as-always Alexandra Lamy, Miss Violet), a tough and outspoken woman coming to terms with her own chequered history. The two begin a journey that could change their lives. The pair make an unlikely team; Fred is looking to heal from her past, while Adam is struggling to channel his anger and feelings of abandonment. With every mile travelled, they inevitably endure exhaustion, clashes and arguments. But among the points of tension are moments of peace. As the miles rack up, Fred and Adam begin to form a strong bond. Walking The Way, they each discover an inner strengh they didn’t know they had. Will it be enough to accomplish the goals they set out to achieve? Santiago: The Camino Therapy is an uplifting and inspirational story with gorgeous vistas that deserve to be seen on the big screen.

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/seized/ This film is a gripping, stranger-than-fiction investigative thriller that plunges audiences inside the troubling police raid on the Marion County Record. What begins as a shocking small-town incident quickly spirals into a story that reaches international headlines, exposing how corruption, politics, and decades-long tensions turned a quaint Kansas community into a microcosm of worldwide attacks on freedom of speech. Equal parts horrifying and hilarious, the film unfolds in real time through police body-cam and surveillance footage, revealing the raid’s chaos, the remarkable pettiness that led up to them, and the devastating personal toll on the reporters, including the tragic death of the paper’s 98-year-old co-publisher. Director Sharon Liese Producer Sharon Liese, Sasha Alpert, Paul Matyasovsky Country United States Language English Year 2026 Duration 94 min Category Crime & Conspiracy

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/shorts1-leaving-a-mark/ What does it mean to make something that lasts? From a pink church in Greymouth to Dick Frizzell’s studio, from a Kiwi art collection under the hammer to Joshua Oppenheimer’s meditation on immortality, these four shorts ask whether art, like life, is ever truly finished. Shorts: Gloria, Good Kunst, The Weight of the World, The Revolution Against Death

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/shorts-2-labour-of-love/ For some, work is not what you do. It is who you are. A cobbler finds peace in craft. A hotline reveals tender lives behind kitchen catastrophes. A sailor keeps his bookstore open after dark. And behind the world’s greatest piano competition, tuners chase perfect pitch. Shorts: Sole (얼), The Baker’s Hotline, The Bookstore That Never Sleeps, The Tuners (Stroiciele) Duration 73 min

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/shorts-3-the-view-from-here/ From windows, shorelines, and occupied villages, these four films bear witness to the world’s most urgent fractures. An elderly Ukrainian couple survives fire and occupation. Two brothers in Gaza remain bound by the sea despite siege and separation. And sometimes, the most powerful act of resistance is simply to keep watching. Shorts: Ember, Free Fish (أسماك حرّة), Memories of a Window, Student Army (红旗下的蛋)

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/shorts-4-steps-of-courage/ Courage wears many faces. A teenager in a Kampala slum sings her questions to God. Women from the Chatham Islands turn a breast screening trip into a ritual of defiance. A young Kiwi farmer runs Canada’s highways in a Superman costume. And two mountaineers make history on Mt Cook. Shorts: Chicken Ghetto, Girls’ Flight Out, Hunter’s Moon, Race Be Run

Book Tickets: https: https://docedge.nz/events/shorts-5-close-to-heart/ Love in all its forms — between partners, species, and the places we call home. A granddaughter captures sixty years of love meeting ten years of Alzheimer’s, while a 1970s discovery rewrites what we thought we knew about seagulls and partnership. Tender, surprising, and quietly profound. Shorts: Jacqueline Fahey: From Where I’m Looking, Love Birds, Stoats’ Last Stand, The Place Where Memories Hide

Join us at The Capitol Cinema for Show Me Shorts Winter Season. From humble beginnings, Show Me Shorts has expanded every year, forging connections and partnerships across the industry. They seek out top short films, collaborate with local cinemas, raise funds for a world-class festival, and advocate for the short film community. They are an Oscar® and BAFTA qualifying festival. Internationally, Show Me Shorts is considered one of the best and well respected short film festivals in the world. From documentary to animation and drama to science fiction this collection of short films brings together intimate, surprising and deeply human stories from top Iranian filmmakers. The films explore the choices we make, the losses we carry, the people we show up for and the beauty around us. Join us as we follow a nomadic tribe through the snow, keep our cool under intense scrutiny and wake up to the world around us. Each film offers a fresh window into lives both specific and universal. Book now as tickets will sell out. Frozen - My Eggs and Me, a documentary about a major life decision. Directed by Iranian New Zealand filmmaker Shamin Yazdani. Holy Heaviness, an animated story about the weight of a man's grief in losing a parent. Directed by Farnoosh Abedi, Negah Khezre Fardyardad, Mohammad Ghaffari. Under The Shady Oak, an epic odyssey about a nomadic tribe of Iranian indigenous people, migrating in harsh snowy conditions. Directed by Hossein Allahyari. Dot, an animated sci-fi story of a man whose repetitive life is interrupted when he notices the beauty of nature and tries to see it again. Directed by Mohammad Zare. British Passport, a tense drama about a woman trying to leave Tehran illegally to attend a conference in London. Directed by Mahmood Pouyandeh. The Brother, an inspiring tale of a man about to be married who meets a soldier that needs his help. Language: Persian (Farsi), with English subtitles Total run time: 70 minutes Rating: to be advised Admission Prices: General Admission $17.00 | Season Pass* $50 + booking fee https://events.humanitix.com/host/show-me-shorts-film-festival *Season Pass Save money and join Show Me Shorts for the entire winter season for only $50, to watch the following programmes*, only available in Auckland and Wellington. Book via Humanitix

From intimate dramas to visionary futures, this compelling collection of Turkish short films offers a captivating journey through the country’s rich cinematic storytelling. Featuring a gripping medical mystery, a shadowy animated fable, a stark vision of a climate-ravaged world, an emotionally charged portrait of resilience, and a soulful drama of grief and discovery, these five films blend profound human emotion with bold imagination. An essential showcase for cinephiles and anyone fascinated by the depth and diversity of contemporary Turkey. This collection is presented in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in NZ. Book now as tickets will sell out: https://events.humanitix.com/auckland-turkish-short-film-night-2026-show-me-shorts/tickets?_gl=1*1icrctf*_gcl_au*MTcyMzUyMjA3My4xNzcwNzcxODYz*_ga*MTkwMTA4Nzc4My4xNzU3ODg5MTgy*_ga_LHKW5FR9N6*czE3NzYzNzQ0MzckbzI3JGcxJHQxNzc2Mzc2NjQ5JGo1OCRsMCRoMA.. Tavuk Suyuna Çorba (Chicken Broth Soup), a drama about a doctor who comes across unusual symptoms when examining a man said to have died of a heart attack. Oyun (Game), an animated story about the games played around the world, leaving the future of humanity in the dark. Kota (Quota), a dystopia set in a future where water resources have been depleted due to the climate crisis and governments have imposed strict quotas. Yavru Karinca (Baby Ant), a drama in which tomorrow is an important day; Ayser will pay a visit to her husband in prison. Rehber (The Contact), a drama about Ali who returns to the town he left years ago after the death of his son, and confronts the remains of his son, whom he never knew. Language: Turkish, with English subtitles Total run time: 65 minutes Rating: to be advised Proudly supported by: Embassy of the Republic of Turkey Curated in partnership with: Fethiye Film Festival With thanks to: Esin Özalp Öztürk *Dates and programmes subject to change. Admission Prices: General Admission $17.00 | Season Pass* $50 + booking fee https://events.humanitix.com/host/show-me-shorts-film-festival *Season Pass Save money and join Show Me Shorts for the entire winter season for only $50, to watch the following programmes*, only available in Auckland and Wellington. Book via Humanitix 7pm Tuesday 31 March Italian Short Film Night 7pm Tuesday 28 April: German Short Film Night 7pm Tuesday 26 May: Cambodian Short Film Night 7pm Tuesday 23 June: Iranian Short Film Night 7pm Tuesday 21 July: Turkish Short Film Night

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/sukundimi-walks-before-me/ The Sepik River is the mother line for Papua New Guinea communities. Winding through mountains and rainforests, she is the crucial vertebrae connecting and supporting the region’s rare biodiversity and spiritual consciousness. But her livelihood and her communities are threatened by the proposal of a copper-gold mine being built near at her headwaters, which could extract, erode and pollute an environment that she has sustained for millennia.   The children of this river, led by Manu Peni, create a grassroots campaign to stop the mine from being built, resisting the forces of colonial bureaucracy and Western narratives of ‘development’ by invoking the Spirit of the river and indigenous knowledge.  Sukundimi Walks Before Me, explores this existential fight through lyrical expressions of existence, resistance and life along the mother river. Director Matasila Freshwater, Lachlan McLeod Producer David Elliot Jones, Emmanuel Peni, Kerry Warkia, Maria Tanner Country Australia, New Zealand Language English, Tok Pisin Year 2026 Duration 94 min Category Turangawaewae Where We Stand

Book Tickets: https: https://docedge.nz/events/the-art-of-adventure/ In 1957, renowned wildlife artist Robert Bateman and spirited biologist Bristol Foster set out on a global expedition in a rugged Land Rover they called “The Grizzly Torque”. Starting in the UK, their travels took them to the far corners of the earth. From the lush rainforests of the Congo to the vibrant landscapes of India, Bob painted the wonders they encounter, while Bristol filmed on his 16mm Bolex camera. Blending original 16mm footage with reflections from later life, the film traces how their journey shaped two remarkable paths: one through art, the other through science. A heartwarming, inspirational love letter to friendship and the adventure of life. Director Alison Reid Producer Alison Reid Country Canada Language English Year 2025 Duration 90 min Category Around the World

A darker reimagining of the classic Robin Hood tale, which will see the character as a battleworn loner grappling with his past after a life of crime and murder, and who finds himself gravely injured and in the hands of a mysterious woman who offers him a chance at salvation.

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/the-essence-of-eva/ Featuring never-before-heard recordings and exclusive archive footage, the film reveals the true essence of legendary American singer Eva Cassidy whose voice continues to captivate audiences. Eva passed away in 1996 at the age of just 33, following a battle with melanoma. At the time, she was virtually unknown outside her local music scene. In the years that followed, her recordings found a fervent global audience, and a groundswell of admiration that would posthumously propel her to multi-platinum success. Told through the eyes of those who knew her best, as well as acclaimed musicians Mick Fleetwood and Sting, this film traces the life and legacy of a woman whose music defied genre and convention. Director Alex Fegan, Malcolm Willis Producer Malcolm Willis, Alex Fegan, Brendan Byrne Country Ireland Language English Year 2025 Duration 85 min Category Art of Becoming

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/the-life-we-leave/ When Washington State legalises human composting, entrepreneur Micah Truman bets everything on a new vision of deathcare. But when the conventional deathcare industry resists, he is forced to pivot and learn to care for the grieving while transforming his business. With funeral directors Brie Smith and Katey Houston, he builds the first large-scale terramation facility, reshaping how we grieve and return to the Earth. What begins as an ambitious venture becomes personal as they rediscover human connection, ritual, and legacy. Director JJ Gerber Producer JJ Gerber, Melanie Miller, Clementine Briand, Ann Rogers Country United States Language English Year 2026 Duration 87 min Category Facing the Edge

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/the-lives-of-my-father/ Didrik thought his Norwegian father was a journalist. In reality, he was a CIA spy who fired AK-47s in the Kuwaiti desert and infiltrated cocaine laboratories in Colombia. When Didrik finds a box of old tapes and documents in his father’s attic, he uncovers a story almost too strange to be true. For the first time his father, Bjørn, begins to speak openly about his past. As Didrik digs deeper, the life and lies of a man who blurred the lines between journalism, propaganda, and international espionage begins to emerge. But can any of it be trusted? Director Magnus Skatvold Producer Hilde Håbjørg, Kristian Karlsen Country Norway Language English, Norwegian Year 2026 Duration 86 min Category Crime & Conspiracy

Based on an incredible true story, The Money Maker follows Jan Bojarski (Reda Kateb, The Extraordinary), a young Polish engineer taking refuge in France during World War II. Desperate to survive, he turns his talents to forging identity documents during the German occupation. Once the war ends, Jan still finds himself struggling to make ends meet. Stuck in underpaid jobs and denied citizenship, he is unable to patent his many inventions. Jan’s engineering expertise seems to be wasted, until a gangster recognises his skills and presents a risky opportunity - to produce counterfeit banknotes... So begins a thrilling and nail-biting series of events, as Jan begins to lead a double life. For over 15 years he runs a counterfeiting operation from his garden shed - unbeknownst to his family. Jan’s fakes are so precise he earns the moniker “the Cézanne of counterfeit money.” - but this also draws attention. Jan soon finds himself in the crosshairs of Inspector Mattéi (Bastien Bouillon, also starring in Leave One Day), one of France’s most determined detectives. Director Jean-Paul Salomé (The Godmother, The Sitting Duck) brings this fascinating and gripping tale to life, with an unforgettable performance from Reda Kateb as the man who shook the Bank of France. The film was a certified hit in France, with over 1.1 million admissions Make time for The Money Maker at this year’s Festival!

The enchanting new comedy of manners from acclaimed writer/director Grégory Magne (whose debut Perfumes was a success in the 2021 Festival), The Musicians stars Valérie Donzelli as a wealthy heiress whose plan to stage a landmark concert is derailed by the clashing egos of the virtuosos recruited for the performance. Astrid Thompson (Donzelli) is determined to honour her late industrialist father’s final wish: unite four priceless Stradivarius-stringed instruments for the premiere recital of a new composition by his favourite artist, to be live-streamed for music lovers globally. With just six days to rehearse, a quartet is assembled, but the dream quickly unravels: the musicians are at odds, blinded by their differences and prejudices, and seemingly incapable of working together. With the deadline fast approaching, Astrid tries to coax the reclusive composer of the score, Charlie Beaumont (Frédéric Pierrot), out from creative seclusion in the desperate hope of salvaging the event… As the film crescendos to a tender, exhilarating finale where harmony is found not only in music but human connection, The Musicians celebrates both the chaos and beauty of collaboration. Set amidst the villas, vineyards and chapels of the stunning Champagne region, with an exquisite original score by Grégoire Hetzel, this is sparkling entertainment for the heart (and ears).

- OFFICIAL SELECTION: Festival de Cannes (Director’s Fortnight) - This entertaining black comedy follows Mehdi (Sami Outalbali, Lucky Winners), a recent law graduate from a modest background spending the summer at his girlfriend’s luxurious family villa. He soon finds himself caught in an escalating class conflict between the entitled Trousselard family and their mistreated caretakers. Hoping to secure an internship at his girlfriend’s father’s prestigious law firm, Mehdi attempts to mediate between the two sides, only to be trapped in a spiralling conflict over money, power and pride. The Party’s Over! is a biting satirical portrait of class privilege with a sensational comic cast including Laure Calamy and recent César award-winner Laurent Lafitte.

- OFFICIAL SELECTION: Festival de Cannes (Out of Competition) - - CÉSAR AWARD WINNER: Best Actor – Laurent Lafitte - Few modern scandals have captivated France as the astonishing events surrounding Liliane Bettencourt, the billionaire heiress to the L’Oreal fortune and doyenne of Parisian society. Now writer/director Thierry Klifa has freely adapted the incredible story into a captivating dark comedy, featuring a jaw-dropping, tailor-made role for one of France’s most iconic stars. Marianne Farrère (Isabelle Huppert), the head of the Windler Group, is the richest woman in the world. Pierre-Alain Fantin (Laurent Lafitte, who won a César award for his performance) is a vivacious dandy, writer and photographer. After meeting on a photo shoot, the two quickly become inseparable. Their friendship surprises, amuses, intrigues, and eventually unsettles the billionaire’s entourage and family. Most of all, Marianne’s daughter (Marina Foïs) struggles with her mother’s sudden complicity with this younger man, but her husband (André Marcon) and loyal butler (Raphaël Personnaz) share her concerns. Surreptitious queries soon transition into a private investigation, resulting in extraordinary ramifications for all involved… With several twists too good to spoil, The Richest Woman in the World makes the most of its fabulous ensemble cast, but Huppert and Lafitte simply eat up the screen. This wildly entertaining film became an enormous box-office hit in France for good reason.

One week after a chaotic presidential election, France urgently needs a new Prime Minister. A hapless but ambitious young parliamentary assistant (Jean Chevalier) has a plan: convince his retired and highly erratic politician father (François Cluzet, The Intouchables) to return from exile and seize the top job. What follows is a breakneck political comedy that transforms into a razor-sharp portrait of power, ambition, and the flexibility of principle. With The Son Of, former political journalist Carlos Abascal Peiró makes an audacious debut, dynamically navigating the treacherous corridors of the French Republic, his camera stalking the backrooms where ideology evaporates and egos dominate, capturing politicians, fixers and media operators engaged in verbal warfare with astonishing ferocity. Filmed before France’s current political turmoil, the narrative hums with uncanny and prophetic resonance. Think Veep with a distinctly Gallic accent; anyone appreciative of Armando Iannucci’s savage political dissections and Succession will find much to savour here. Newcomer Chevalier is perfectly cast as the slippery modern opportunist, supported by an hilarious, never-better Cluzet’s reluctant patriarch, Karin Viard’s irresistible party operative and Alex Lutz (The Stolen Painting) rounding out a stellar ensemble. Sharp, unsparing, and mischievously satisfying, The Son Of is a winning satire.

- OFFICIAL SELECTION: Venice International Film Festival - - CÉSAR AWARD WINNER: Best Supporting Actor – Pierre Lottin - The superb new drama from multi award-winning writer/director François Ozon (Swimming Pool, 8 Women, Under the Sand), The Stranger is a gripping adaptation of Albert Camus’ landmark novella about a detached young expatriate on trial for murder in French-colonised Algeria. Summer, 1938. Meursault (Benjamin Voisin, Lost Illusions), a quiet and unassuming clerk in his early thirties, attends his mother’s funeral. The next day he begins a casual affair with Marie (Rebecca Marder), a colleague randomly encountered at the local baths, and quickly slips back into routine. However, daily life is soon disrupted by his volatile neighbour (an excellent Pierre Lottin, who won a César award for his performance), who draws Meursault into a dispute involving an ex-lover. And then, one blisteringly hot afternoon, an inexplicable event occurs on a beach, one that will see Meursault’s very moral standing brought to question… Visually resplendent with sensuous black-and-white imagery, Ozon’s elegant and masterfully realized film shines a contemporary lens on Camus’ classic tale of dissociation and morality, capturing the beauty and heat of a charged society on the boil. Both impactful and mysterious, The Stranger is one of the major highlights of this year’s Festival and should not be missed.

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/s=The+Trial+of+Alec+Baldwin On October 21, 2021 cinematographer Halyna Hutchins is killed on a movie set by a prop gun held by the actor Alec Baldwin. In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, virtually no one doubts that it was an accident and a deeply traumatizing experience for everyone involved. After the shock subsides, questions of responsibility, guilt, blame, punishment and justice begin circulating in the media. Baldwin becomes a lightning rod for online haters and a target for pushy paparazzi. With prosecutors weighing criminal charges, what unfolds is driven less by the facts surrounding the case, and more by who Alec Baldwin is, both as a man and a public figure. Director Rory Kennedy Producer Mark Bailey, Rory Kennedy, Julia Marchesi Country United States Language English Year 2025 Duration 111 min Category Crime & Conspiracy

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/the-war-below-restoring-hope-in-the-solomon-islands/ In the Solomon Islands, thousands of unexploded WWII bombs remain under homes and schools. 80 years after the war, bombs continue to kill and injure families. Lorettalyn lives with severe injuries from a blast that killed her husband and young son, now raising her remaining children while navigating long-term physical and economic hardship. Maeverlyn, who survived a separate explosion that severely injured her and killed members of her community, establishes Bomb Free Solomon Islands – a survivor-led organisation advocating for awareness, support, and long-term solutions to the ongoing threat. Director Tuki Laumea Producer Tuki Laumea, Cleo Fraser, Elizabeth Osifelo Country New Zealand Language English, Pijin Year 2026 Duration 50 min Category Turangawaewae Where We Stand Screening Note: This film is preceeded by the short film, Digital Traditions: Kastom Keeper, (19 mins). Director Tuki Laumea, Cleo Fraser Producer Tuki Laumea, Cleo Fraser Country New Zealand, Solomon Islands Language English, Other Year 2026 Duration 19 min Category Shorts Premiere World

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/the-werewolf-in-the-waves/ From award winning Director Soleil Moon Frye (Kid 90), this is a deeply personal and poignant film that explores the complicated dynamics of love and addiction. Told through Moon Frye’s empathetic lens, we follow her reunion with childhood friend, Seth Binzer (aka Shifty Shellshock) of the band Crazy Town, largely known for their hit 1999 song “Butterfly”. She documents Crazy Town’s comeback tour, during which time the connection between them quickly evolves into a love story playing out over euphoric and dream-like imagery. However, the narrative takes a heartbreaking turn when Seth relapses into drugs and the film becomes about the destructive forces of addiction. Director Soleil Moon Frye Producer Soleil Moon Frye Country United States Language English Year 2025 Duration 91 min Category Being Oneself

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/theres-a-hole-in-my-bucket/ When Royd Tolkien, great-grandson of J R R Tolkien, loses his brother, Mike, to Motor Neurone Disease (ALS), Mike leaves behind one final act of love and mischief: a bucket list of 50 challenges designed to drag his reluctant, comfort-zone-hugging brother into the land of the living. What follows is an unexpected journey across New Zealand that pushes a grieving man further than he ever imagined possible. Narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch, with Peter Jackson, Billy Boyd, John Rhys-Davies and Weta Workshop along for the ride, the film is a raucous, tender argument that the best eulogy isn’t a speech, it’s a bucket list. Director Robert Cavanah, Royd Tolkien, Drew Cullingham Producer Royd Tolkien, Belindalee Hope Country New Zealand Language English Year 2026 Duration 86 min Category Being Oneself

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/tough-old-broads-dures-a-cuire/ Three trailblazing women broke barriers in their time: Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon; Siila Watt-Cloutier, the first woman to connect climate change to human rights; and Sharon Farmer, the first woman to act as Chief White House Photographer. Today, they continue to pursue their passions. With determination and grit, these ladies shed light on what it takes to make it in a man’s world, and what old age looks like when you’re a self-described “tough old broad. Director Stacey Tenenbaum Producer Stacey Tenenbaum Country Canada Language English, German, Inuktitut Year 2025 Duration 82 min Category Fearless Wahine

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/unlikely-kin/ Filmed over five years, the film follows elder Hori Parata (Ngāti Wai) and his son Te Kaurinui as they lead the sacred practice of harvesting stranded whales—not for consumption, but to honour whakapapa and revive traditional medicine used to treat kauri dieback, a disease killing New Zealand’s ancient trees. Alongside this, we follow their conservation work protecting the kiore, the Polynesian rat that arrived in Aotearoa with the great Māori migration. Interweaving themes of kinship between species, cultural survival, and Māori-led conservation, the film offers rare access to a sacred world where whales, forests, and even rats are revered as living ancestors. Director Kim Webby, Michael Jonathan Producer Hineani Melbourne, Kim Webby Country New Zealand Language English, Māori Year 2026 Duration 93 min Category Turangawaewae Where We Stand

What is Love? is an uplifting and comedic examination of relationships and new beginnings, brought to life by an all-star cast. Marguerite (Festival favourite Laure Calamy, How to Make a Killing) has long since moved on from her ex-husband Fred (Vincent Macaigne, also starring in Colours of Time), having established a new life with a different partner and a teenage daughter. Fred has also put the past behind him, intending to marry Chloé (Mélanie Thierry, Suddenly), the woman with whom he now shares his life. When Fred asks for Marguerite’s help in obtaining an annulment of their marriage from the Catholic Church, she is only too happy to oblige. However, the process turns out to be far more than a simple paperwork exercise, and the pair find out they must prove their union was doomed from the beginning. What begins as an administrative task soon becomes a deeply personal odyssey through their shared past. As Marguerite and Fred navigate old memories and rediscover genuine affection - as well as the tensions that broke them - long-buried feelings begin to surface. This charming and perceptive family comedy examines the complicated aftermath of breakups, featuring stellar performances from all involved.

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/yanuni/ Set deep in the heart of the Amazon, Indigenous chief Juma Xipaia fights to protect her people’s land from exploitation and destruction. Spanning years of activism and six assassination attempts, the film captures Juma’s historic appointment as Brazil’s first Secretary of Indigenous Rights, under President Lula. Hugo Loss, her husband and a former Special Forces ranger-turned-unwavering ally, leads dangerous operations against illegal gold miners. When Juma discovers she is pregnant, her battle takes on new urgency. Navigating impending motherhood, rising political responsibility, and Hugo’s high-risk missions, she is forced to confront the personal cost of resistance. Director Richard Ladkani Producer Anita Ladkani, Richard Ladkani, Juma Xipaia, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Davisson, Philipp Watson Country Austria, Brazil, Canada, Germany, United States Language English, Portuguese Year 2025 Duration 112 min Category Fearless Wahine

Book Tickets: https://docedge.nz/events/yo-love-is-a-rebellious-bird/ After Yo’s passing at 89, her 41-year-old friend, Anna, spends a decade obsessively building a detailed 1/3-scale version of Yo’s house with a miniature puppet of her inside. Anna re-constructs a magical space where Yo’s stories unfold, and their relationship continues. The film juxtaposes intimate vérité of Yo’s last year with Anna’s creative interpretations of her dramatic life stories. Born in Switzerland in 1924, Yo lived life on her own terms, defying expectations around sexuality, mothering, aging, and even death. Director Anna Fitch, Banker White Producer Sara Dosa, Hannah Roodman, Anna Fitch, Banker White Country United States Language English Year 2026 Duration 78 min Category Art of Becoming Premiere Asia Pacific