The Capitol

A Room With a View captured the attention of the world upon its release, bringing the novel by E.M. Forster to dazzling life in the Florentine countryside and in the well-appointed homes of the English Edwardian upper classes. A comedy of manners with a quick wit and impeccable comic timing, A Room With A View is also a portrait of the quiet solitude that lies beneath Forster’s characters, and of the need for human connection in a world of rigid convention. The young Englishwoman Lucy Honeychurch (played by Helena Bonham Carter), arrives in Florence on a Baedecker-style grand tour with her aunt Charlotte Bartlett (Maggie Smith). Through a series of events involving English expatriates Miss Eleanor Lavish, an unflappable novelist (Judi Dench), and the Emersons, a free-thinking father and son (played by Denholm Elliot and Julian Sands), Lucy’s life is changed forever under a loggia in Florence and in the Tuscan countryside. Ivory’s delicate and playful direction spirits us from an adventure in the back alleys of Florence, lost with Dench and Smith, to the lace-parasolled rigidity of English lawn parties. Shot on location in and around Florence (including unforgettable scenes in the Piazza della Signoria and at Giotto’s frescoes in Santa Croce), A Room With A View made stars not only of Bonham Carter, Day Lewis and Sands, but of the Tuscan landscapes and Puccini arias (as sung by Kiri Te Kanawa) featured throughout.

- OFFICIAL SELECTION: Dublin International Film Festival 2025 - Beat the Lotto is a rip-roaring tale about the mathematician who, along with a ragtag syndicate, plotted to fix Ireland’s National Lottery in 1992, captivating the nation and sparking rabid debate. In Ireland, the public became obsessed when the National Lottery arrived, none more so than mathematician and avid stamp-collector Stefan Klincewicz. Using mathematical analysis, he reckoned the system could be beaten if he could just gather enough people to form a syndicate to buy every single ticket combination – and front up all the cash, of course. Director Ross Whitaker fashions this unbelievable true story into a gripping thriller, mirroring the tension felt by the public as the lottery authorities caught wind of the plan. With insightful interviews and fantastic archival footage, Beat the Lotto is a look back at Ireland in the 1990s and a compelling tale of one man’s attempt to outsmart the system.

Broken English is a bold and imaginative documentary portrait of the inimitable singer, songwriter and icon Marianne Faithfull. A survivor, provocateur and true original, Marianne spent more than six decades defying expectations, releasing over thirty-five albums while constantly reinventing herself. Made with her full involvement, Broken English is an intimate and unflinching exploration of a fractured yet unbreakable life shaped by fame, creativity and relentless public scrutiny. The film unfolds within the “Ministry of Not Forgetting”, an imagined, cinematic institution where memory and mythology collide. The Ministry is presided over by Tilda Swinton as The Overseer, and George MacKay (also starring in & Sons at this year’s Festival) serves as The Record Keeper, poring over Faithfull’s life and career. Broken English is a genre-defying act of resilience and rebellion — Marianne Faithfull’s final fearless declaration, her defiant swan song.

Two conspiracy obsessed young men kidnap the high-powered CEO of a major company, convinced that she is an alien intent on destroying planet Earth.

Stay for the Q&A with Dame Gaylene Preston and Chelsie Preston-Crayford When Meg buys a used Jaguar from a shady car dealer so she can visit her parents on their rural farm, she gets a lot more than she expects. Soon after getting it, she starts hearing choking sounds coming from the back seat. Things get even weirder when she picks up a pair of hitchhikers who mysteriously disappear into thin air. Cast Heather Bolton (Meg) , David Letch (Mr Wrong) , Margaret Umbers (Samantha) , Suzanne Lee (Val) , Gary Stalker (Bruce) , Danny Mulheron (Wayne) , Perry Piercy (Mary Carmichael) , Philip Gordon (Clive) , Michael Haigh (Mr Whitehorn) , Kate Harcourt (Mrs Alexander)

Poor Cow is a slice-of-life drama portraying a young mother’s repeated attempts to find love, stability, and dignity in a world stacked against her—outlined by poor choices and unfulfilled dreams.

From visionary British director Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham, Blinded By The Light), Christmas Karma sees ones of history’s greatest novels - Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol transformed into a joyous, colourful, feel-good Christmas musical that celebrates modern-day London and all of its vibrant communities and cultures. With an all-star cast and music from Gary Barlow, Nitin Sawhney and Shaznay Lewis, the film features an eclectic soundtrack influenced by gospel, bhangra, carols, rap and classic pop songs. Christmas Karma is a festive British classic for our times, and for generations to come, that promotes a strong message to be kind, choose love and celebrate the present.

- WINNER: Grand Prix, Berlin International Film Festival Generation - - WINNER: Best Irish Film, Galway Film Fleadh - Seventeen-year-old Christy is at a crossroads. He’s just been thrown out of his pleasant suburban foster home and moved in with his estranged older brother Shane. As far as Shane is concerned this is a temporary arrangement, but Christy begins to feel at home on Cork’s working class north side. As he makes friends and begins to let the community in, he also reconnects with his past through his seemingly more corrupting extended family, despite Shane’s efforts to steer him away from this crowd. Shane wants something better for Christy at any cost – even if it means he has to push him away. After so many years apart, the brothers need to now reconcile their turbulent past whilst deciding what the future looks like. Christy draws inspiration from the lived experiences of the young people involved, assembling much of its ensemble cast from the Kabin Studio in Cork, a non-profit community space that has grown out of a love for hip hop and art. Winner of The Grand Prix at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival, as well as Best Irish Film at the Galway Film Fleadh, Christy is a punchy drama not to be missed.

Grace, a writer and young mother, is slowly slipping into madness. Locked away in an old house in and around Montana, we see her acting increasingly agitated and erratic, leaving her companion, Jackson, increasingly worried and helpless. DIRECTOR: Lynne Ramsay STARRING: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert Pattinson, LaKeith Stanfield, Nick Nolte, Sissy Spacek RUNTIME: 118 minutes RATING: TBC RELEASE DATE: 27 November 2025

In an afterlife where souls have one week to decide where to spend eternity, Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) is faced with the impossible choice between the man she spent her life with (Miles Teller) and her first love (Callum Turner), who died young and has waited decades for her to arrive.

The legendary Brian Cox makes his directorial debut with this compelling family drama, set in the stunning Scottish Highlands and co-starring Alan Cumming. When his beloved Chicago blues club burns down, Donal (Cumming) returns to his family-owned whisky distillery in the Scottish Highlands for the first time in nearly 40 years. Donal didn’t leave Scotland on the best terms, having wound up in a violent exchange with his brother Sandy (Cox) and their father on the day of their mother’s funeral. Joined by his daughter Amy (Alexandra Shipp, Barbie), Donal returns to his homeland in the hopes of making amends with his brother. But with old wounds running deep and the fate of the family business on the line, can inner peace finally be found before it’s too late? Written by David Ashton (The Last King of Scotland) and accomplished TV writer Jeff Murphy (Hinterland), Glenrothan explores the complexities of familial bonds, set against the proud and timeless tradition of whisky making. Cumming gives one of his best on-screen performances, opposite Cox who brings gravitas to every scene - both in front of and behind the camera.

- OFFICIAL SELECTION: Toronto International Film Festival 2025 - Funny, moving, and deeply human, I Swear tells the remarkable true story of John Davidson, a Tourette Syndrome campaigner whose humour and honesty helped the world better understand the disorder. Robert Aramayo (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power) plays Davidson, whose life was irrevocably changed at 15 years old when he developed uncontrollable vocal and physical tics. Tourette Syndrome was barely understood at the time - even by doctors - causing John years of isolation, anxiety and shame. It wasn’t until Davidson reached his late twenties that things started to change. After meeting Dottie, the mother of a former school friend, who had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer, a strong bond formed between the pair. With Dottie’s unwavering support, John discovered the confidence to be himself. Written and directed by Kirk Jones (Waking Ned Devine), I Swear features an astonishing lead performance from Aramayo, joined by the excellent supporting cast of Maxine Peake (Funny Cow), Shirley Henderson (Bridget Jones’s Diary) and Peter Mullan (Trainspotting). A frank, funny and touching story about the transformative power of friendship and community, I Swear is a crowd-pleaser you can’t miss in this year’s line-up.

- OFFICIAL SELECTION: Berlin International Film Festival 2025 - Tom (Sam Riley, Control) is the tennis coach at a luxurious island hotel, filling his time between lessons with booze and brief affairs. The arrival of the Maguire family pulls Tom out of his normal routine and he strikes up a relationship with Anne (Stacy Martin, The Brutalist), her husband Dave (Jack Farthing, Spencer) and their son Anton. Tom is unable to shake the feeling that he has met Anne before, and this tension grows between them until one night, Dave goes missing and the police investigation points to both Anne and Tom as suspects. With Islands, Festival audiences are in for a “scorching, sun-frazzled Hitchcockian delight” (The Standard).

Di Paolo spent years photographing strikingly beautiful and iconic images of postwar and the glamour of the film scene of the 1950s and ‘60s. One day, he simply ceased to photograph, shutting away his negatives, and not even his own family was aware of his extraordinary legacy until this documentary.

In the late stages of WW2, a badly burned man, with no recollection of his own identity, is nursed by Nurse Hana in an abandoned Monastery in Tuscany. As he recovers, he slowly pieces his memories together, recollecting his past's epic, passionate, fateful love affair.

On the outskirts of Napoli, Attilo’s first job is to protect a young street worker. The young couple find themselves falling for each other, but the dangerous criminal underworld they live in seems destined to challenge them.

Gloria! tells the story of Teresa, a young woman with a visionary talent who, together with a small group of extraordinary musicians, crosses centuries and challenges the dusty old world of classical music by inventing rebellious, modern music.

The extraordinary and unknown story of Josef Myslivecek -"Il Boemo"-one of the most prolific opera composers in 18th century Italy, who was a friend and inspiration to Mozart. He was sought after by the courts of Naples and Venice, while his love life was inextricably entwined with his Musical brilliance.

Chiara is an actress but not as successful as her real-life parents, Marcello Mastroianni and Catherine Deneuve. With her life and career in disarray, Chiara decides to dress like her father and speak only Italian like him, in an impersonation so convincing that people begin to call her “Marcello.”

Trudie Styler reveals and unmasks Napoli through the eyes of Neapolitans. A fascinating and stunning glimpse into an ancient city of culture, chaos, and contrast.

- OFFICIAL SELECTION: Edinburgh International Film Festival 2024 - In this absorbing drama, Posy Sterling (The Outrun) delivers a powerful performance as Molly, a young mum from East London who has lost everything while in prison. After serving four months, Molly assumes it will be a matter of hours before she can collect her kids from foster care - but she now faces a longer ordeal than anticipated... Molly finds herself in the mother of all catch-22s: she can’t get housing because she doesn’t have her kids living with her; but she can’t get them back without a roof over her head. Molly has just six months to get housing and turn her life around before a judge in the family court makes the final determination whether her children will remain in long-term foster care, or return to live with her. A glimmer of hope in Molly’s world is reconnecting with her best friend from school, Amina, who also finds herself on hard times. Leaning on their friendship, can Molly and Amina beat the system and take destiny into their own hands? Book now for this incredibly passionate and moving tale.

An aspiring novelist on the verge of a publishing breakthrough loses his unconventional muse, a tropical fish, sending him and an unstable fisheries officer on a series of bizarre misadventures in search of the fish rumoured to hold mysterious, almost magical powers. Tuesday 2 December at The Capitol Come to mix and mingle from 6pm, screening starts at 7pm followed with a wonderful Q&A with co-directors Tom Levesque & Romy Hooper

The Allies, led by the unyielding chief prosecutor, Robert H. Jackson (Michael Shannon), have the task of ensuring the Nazi regime answers for the unveiled horrors of the Holocaust while a US Army psychiatrist (Rami Malek) is locked in a dramatic psychological duel with former Reichsmarschall Herman Göring (Russell Crowe).

24 Flavours 味 Q&A session with the Director & Actress After Screening 20 - 30 mins After years abroad, April returns to her homeland, discovering her divorced parents rekindling old ties. Memories of her extreme self-harm resurface as she grapples with her father's infidelity. Facing the impending demolition of the tea shop, April must decide between taking her mother Qiaozhen abroad or supporting her desire to continue the business. Struggling Yeung Tong silently raises funds for Qiaozhen's shop reopening, inadvertently falling into a scam. April also encounters her resilient half-sister Xiaojing. Amidst the challenges, she begins to reclaim the life, time, and self-reflection she had long avoided.

Hotline Beijing is a documentary film centered on Beijing’s “Swift Response to Public Complaints” reform, an innovative approach to urban governance in megacities. Through real-life stories and documentary footage, the film explores how a single hotline connects citizens with government services, addressing everyday concerns and improving city management. The film’s director, Xu Jieqin, remarked: “In this megacity of over 20 million people, with more than 60,000 calls made every day, how are citizens’ demands addressed? What kind of system underpins these efforts? What principles shaped the institutional design behind these achievements? The answers to these questions have been truly eye-opening for us, and we hope to share this sense of awe with our audience.”

Fusion Dishes with Korean sauces. Food is not just something we eat to fill our stomachs. It carries the history, climate, and stories of the people who make it. Gochujang, Doenjang, and Ganjang — these three Jang (Korean sauces) hold centuries of tradition, the very soul of Korea. Did you know that Korea’s Jang-making culture was listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2024? That’s how precious and proud this part of our heritage is. It’s a cooking competition where seven ethnic teams create their own traditional dishes using Korean sauces.

NEW ORDER YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL SCREENING 8 – 9 Short Films (TBC)

Three-time Emmy nominee Melanie Lynskey (YELLOW JACKETS, THE LAST OF US) and acclaimed NZ actress Robyn Malcolm (TOP OF THE LAKE, AFTER THE PARTY) star as Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse; two ordinary women who together stand up and take on the government, justice system and a company that will stop at nothing to protect itself, after the 2010 Pike River Mine explosion takes the lives of 29 men underground. This is a film about the powerless vs. the powerful, of people vs. money, of right vs. wrong. An inspiring true story of an incredible female friendship and together what is possible when you simply won’t give up.

Tinā is the story of Samoan teacher Mareta Percival. Struggling after the death of her daughter in the Christchurch earthquakes, Mareta reluctantly takes on the role of substitute teacher at an elite, wealthy private school and is surprised to find children crying out for guidance, inspiration, and love. Using the symphony of her culture to empower her students, she forms a choir, bringing them together while unexpectedly rediscovering her passion for being a teacher and mother.

Korean Night: Water Lilies 15min Pre Speech Screening Time: 118 mins Hyowon, who dreams of becoming an actress, runs away to Seoul with Eunseo, a high school dropout. The two girls step into the sprawling city with their fragile hopes, clutching at its promises like lifelines. Their first home is a basement room, dim and shabby, the air thick and heavy, but to them, it is a sanctuary, a nest of possibilities. Eunseo begins working odd jobs to keep them afloat, while Hyowon, drawn by her dream, takes on menial tasks at a theater company. They are buoyed by their own visions of tomorrow, their dreams threading through the cracks in the worn walls. Soon, Hyowon starts taking acting lessons from Suyeon, a lead actress at the theater. Suyeon’s voice is steady, her words sharp: "Acting is the art of embodying another’s suffering." Hyowon listens, but the weight of those words eludes her. She cannot yet grasp the depths of Eunseo’s pain, nor can Eunseo fully see hers. The two drift, parallel yet apart, their lives entangled by need and longing but marred by unspoken distance. The city presses in, relentless. Their lives fracture under the strain of survival, yet questions linger in the spaces between them. What does it mean to carry someone else’s sorrow? What does it mean to live with your own? For them, life is an unanswered question, fragile as the surface of water, trembling under the weight of its own reflections.

不再退缩 Never Back Down A realistic sports-themed film that focuses on the struggles and growth of ordinary people in the new era. The film tells an inspirational story: the protagonist Liu Zhonghua adheres to his beliefs in adversity and encourages his daughter Liu Xingyu, who has a leg impairment, to break the prejudice of others and bravely pursue ice hockey. With an unyielding spirit, Liu Xingyu overcomes various difficulties and challenges, and finally transcends herself to become an excellent ice hockey player. The film conveys the core spirit of bravely taking responsibility and never giving up, and showcases the tenacity and commitment of ordinary people amid the tide of the times.

Special Party Branch 堡垒 The movie tells the story of an underground party member fighting a life-and-death battle with enemy agents on the invisible battlefield. Communist party member Mao Jiaxuan and Shen Zhuoyi, the special representative of Nationalist government both used code name “Pang Defu” to carry out their secret missions. Who is the real Pang Defu, and what does this code name mean? The multiple reversals of character identities make the truth elusive.

Salt Lake Project 盐湖计划 Truck driver Liu Ji accepts a job to deliver a sheep to the Northwest, only to unintentionally become entangled in a drug deal. Sheep farm owner Uncle Ying and drug dealer De Yi plan to exchange goods at Salt Lake, while Lao Xiang, who has been undercover at the farm, is actually searching for his missing wife—a narcotics officer. During the journey, Liu Ji meets Li Jiaojiao, sent by De Yi, and the three continue their trip to Donghe together. The deal spirals out of control, resulting in Uncle Ying’s death, and Lao Xiang ultimately sacrifices himself in a final confrontation with De Yi. As the police close in, the tragic truth is revealed: Lao Xiang’s wife has been in a coma all along. Through these events, Liu Ji gains a deeper understanding of love and the value of life.

西藏见闻 INSIDE TIBET Including After Screening Director Meeting Q&A Session – 30 mins For fifteen years, no Western camera had been able to enter Tibet. After tough negotiations, Jean-Michel Carré and his team were able to obtain official authorization allowing a unique insight into this autonomous region. A journey lasting several months filmed the human, economic, and political realities of a region deeply marked by an extraordinary religion and culture. Thanks to the revelation of archives that had been completely hidden until now, it is finally possible to break down prejudices and misconceptions surrounding this roof of the world, which seems timeless, yet constantly evolving toward modernity. To understand such a dichotomy, historians, sinologists, and Tibetologists have collaborated on this film to provide an illuminating vision of this part of China, which has unwittingly become a site of geopolitical power struggles that continue to affect future world

解密 Decoded Life is an ongoing journey of unraveling mysteries. The story commences with an interview, as the interviewees piece together the legendary life of Rong Jinzhen through recollections. Turning back the clock to the early 20th century, during the chaos of warlords and political unrest, the twelve-year-old Rong Jinzhen displayed exceptional mathematical talent. At the age of sixteen, he was admitted to N University, where his mentor, Professor Hayes, recognized and cherished his abilities. Their relationship evolved into a deep friendship. Upon discovering Rong Jinzhen's extraordinary talent in code- breaking, Hayes cautioned him against becoming overly fixated on "decode." With the outbreak of war, the two sympathetic individuals had to choose vastly different paths. Hayes returned to his homeland, responsible for "creating" codes, while Rong Jinzhen joined the 701 Unit, specializing in "deciphering" codes. At that time, the looming concern for everyone at 701 was the enemy's "Purple Code." Some even went mad due to the inability to find a solution. In less than a year, Rong Jinzhen successfully cracked the "Purple Code." However, faced with ensuing love, he chose to delve deeper into the path of "decode." Through correspondence with Hayes, Rong Jinzhen gradually realized that his former mentor had become his adversary. The destinies of the two ultimately intertwined, and the final showdown between master and disciple would unfold around a code more advanced, sophisticated, and weighty than the "Purple Code" – the elusive "Black Code."

追梦南半球 Chasing Dreams In The Southern Hemisphere Chasing Dreams in the Southern Hemisphere is an inspirational feature film about graduates who have studied and immigrated to New Zealand, Lin Junkai (played by Ren Zhongjie), Shao Feng (played by Shuai Di) and David (played by Cui Xuitong). After graduating from New Zealand, the three students overcame the cultural differences, challenges in the workplace and all kinds of constraints in their different workplaces, and finally realized their ideals and harvested their love, and at last, they won praise from mainstream society for their hard work, commitment, and sincere In the end, they won the recognition and praise of the mainstream society with their hard work, commitment and sincere work attitude. They proved their best selves with their final success.

The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru 里斯本丸沉没 Including After Screening Director Meeting Q&A Session – 30 mins Through detailed historical investigation, the crew tried their best to find the core parties and descendants from UK, US, Japan and China, getting close to the truth about the sinking of the "Lisbon Maru", aka "ship of death" in WW II.

The Lychee Road 长安的荔枝 During the Tang Dynasty’s Tianbao era, Li Shande (played by Dapeng) had spent his middle years grumbling through endless tasks, pinching every coin he could, yet remained nothing more than a nameless minor official. But then, a summons seemed to change everything. One day, an opportunity landed in his lap—a lucrative post as the “Lychee Envoy.” If he succeeded, wealth and prestige awaited, a chance to finally turn his life around. But if he failed... well, that was a risk he couldn’t afford to take.

爷爷奶奶那些事 Never Too Late Director After Screening Q&A Session 30 mins In a small country town of Huaihua city, Hunan province, China, Deng divorces her husband Yang at the age of 80 after 60 years of marriage. In order to understand the story behind the divorce, their granddaughter Yang Lizhu comes into their life. Deng Guiying and Yang Qiaoyuan have been separated for more than thirty years, and they have settled down in one south and one north of their respective units. The two people with vastly different personalities argued as soon as they met, and they finally divorced at the age of eighty. Nevertheless, Deng Guiying occasionally visits Yang Qiaoyuan. Under the curiosity and step-by-step exploration of their granddaughter, the dusty past and the overlooked inner side of each of them were gradually uncovered. As time passed, Deng Guiying developed Alzheimer's disease and her memory deteriorated. Yang Qiaoyuan also passed away in 2017. At the end of her life and memories, Deng Guiying forgot many things, including the conflicts she had with her husband.

Twelve Screen Delights: A Celebration of Black Creativity in NZ Join us for an 80-minute cinematic journey showcasing twelve stunning works from our talented Black creatives and allies across Aotearoa. From short films and documentaries to music videos and animations, this curated collection explores themes of love, hope, race, grief, celebration, relationships, identity, sexuality, and more. Expect a rich tapestry of vicarious vision, sweet sounds, and amazing animation—each piece a testament to the depth and diversity of Black storytelling in New Zealand. The evening concludes with a short Q&A session, offering you the chance to hear directly from some of the brilliant minds behind the screen. Tickets: $25 Online / $30 Door Sales Doors open: 1:00pm Screening Starts: 2:00pm Curated by Graham Vincent Featuring: Imani Jola Jane Kelly Jeanell Frontin Jen Van Epps Jennifer Onyeiwu Jujulipps Justin Benn Jzayla Hughey Keven Souza Marrisa Holder Quentin Warren Theo Shakes Troy Blackman

Pitchblack Playback: Smashing Pumpkins 'Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness' (30th Anniversary) *Please arrive by event start time as latecomers will not be admitted and refunds will not be offered* Immerse yourself in this epic at Pitchblack Playback's listening session in the dark, celebrating 30 years of one of the Pumpkins' finest moments. Hear this immense double-LP played loud in uncompressed audio on a powerful cinema sound system. 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 Pitchblack Playback eye mask for extra darkness. As recommended by The Guardian, GQ, Time Out, Metro and Newsweek. This event is not affiliated with Smashing Pumpkins or Virgin Records. Duration: 132 minutes (including 10-minute interval)

- OFFICIAL SELECTION: Tribeca Film Festival 2025 - Part courtroom drama, part true crime documentary, the extraordinarily inventive Re-Creation delves into one of Ireland’s most shocking unsolved crimes. In 1996, French filmmaker Sophie Toscan Du Plantier was murdered at her holiday home in West Cork. English journalist Ian Bailey was investigated by Irish authorities, but never faced trial in Ireland - despite the fact he was tried and convicted in absentia by the French government. Re-Creation directors Jim Sheridan (My Left Foot, In the Name of the Father) and David Merriman have constructed a fascinating mix of fiction and reality that explores the question: what if Bailey had been tried in Ireland? The film skilfully brings audiences into the room as a fictional jury sorts through the facts, inconsistencies and inconvenient truths that make the case so intriguing to this day. With spectacular performances from the ensemble cast, headed by the remarkable Vicky Krieps (Phantom Thread), Re-Creation is an unmissable entry in this year’s line-up.

The long-awaited sequel to the comedy classic This is Spinal Tap is here to turn the Festival up to 11! Forty-one years after the release of the original groundbreaking mockumentary, the now estranged bandmates David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel, and Derek Smalls (Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer) are forced to reunite for one final concert. Spinal Tap II: The End Continues also marks the resurrection of documentarian Marty Di Bergi (Rob Reiner), who once again tries to capture his favourite metal gods as they contemplate mortality—and the hope that their 12th drummer doesn’t join them in The Great Beyond. Joined by music royalty Paul McCartney and Elton John, Spinal Tap wrestles with their checkered past to put on a concert that they hope will solidify their place in the pantheon of rock ’n’ roll.

World Premiere + Q&A This homegrown gem is a love letter to crime thrillers, keeping you on the edge of your seat all the way. Be the first in the world to see this Terror-Fi exclusive! This screening will be followed by a special Q&A. -- It is 1992. Louis is released on home detention after serving six years for his involvement in a botched heist. Trapped in suburbia, he fears he is now a sitting duck with his psychotic ex-boss, Prescott, on the hunt for some missing money, and the person responsible. A few doors away lives Madeleine, a blind woman, once vibrant and outgoing, but now fearful even to step out the front door. As Madeleine takes her first steps to re-connect with the outside world, she meets her new neighbour. Though nervous around new people, and oblivious to Louis’ circumstances, a friendship develops. A heat wave engulfs the neighbourhood, and things heat up between the two. But Madeleine soon finds herself caught up in Louis’ past, and in an impossible predicament: Bound, gagged and alone, while Prescott draws closer and closer... Genre: Thriller, Crime Country: New Zealand Runtime: 86 minutes Rating: R16 – violence, offensive language & drug use Directors: Mark Willis Cast: Ralph Johnson, Erroll Shand, Jodie Hillock, Simon Phillips

NZ Premiere + Q&A The sequel to the cult Kiwi splatter-metal classic is finally here! Let's enjoy the blood-soaked carnage together. We'll crank this one up to 11 for ya! "...brings the metal, drowns viewers in spectacularly sloppy violence, and does so with a mischievous smile." - Matt Donato, Daily Dread This Terror-Fi exclusive will be your only chance to see the film in a cinema! Brodie is washed-up, broke, and stuck in small-town purgatory. But when he learns that 'NoizeQuest', a battle-of-the-bands competition is coming to his town, he sees a shot at redemption - and maybe even a second chance with Medina. One problem: his drummer is missing an arm, and the rest of his band is, well... dead. Luckily, Brodie still has the pages of The Black Hymn, so raising his bandmates from the great beyond is just a riff away. But with every chord comes blood, guts, and the kind of apocalyptic chaos only DEATHGASM can unleash. Festivals: Fantastic Fest 25, Monster Fest 25

New Zealand Premiere Wild, hilarious, unexpected, and truly original ... FLUSH is that festival gem you tell all your friends you found. "A breath of fresh air ... subverting convention in plenty of ways to ensure maximum audience enjoyment." - Kat Hughes, THN This Terror-Fi exclusive will be your only chance to see the film in a cinema! Middle-aged coke fiend Luc is having a pretty terrible night. Having gone to confront his ex at the club where she works, determined to somehow win back her love, one thing leads to another and he soon finds himself wedged firmly in a toilet, effectively trapping him in a bathroom stall. Trapped, we should mention, with a heap of coke that he stole from the bar's resident dealer. He's soon found, setting off an increasingly crazy series of circumstances that veer from the hilarious to the intensely grotesque as Luc's world is assailed from every conceivable direction in a bizarre race against time that will have you gasping. Festivals: Fantasia 25 (Audience Award Winner) Genre: Thriller, Crime, Comedy Country: France Runtime: 70 minutes Rating: R16 – graphic violence, drug use & offensive language Festivals: Fantasia 25 (Audience Award Winner) Directors: Grégory Morin Cast: Jonathan Lambert, Élodie Navarre, Elliot Jenicot, Rémy Adriaens

New Zealand Premiere A gritty and powerful European folk horror, with stunning performances and 'Carrie' vibes. "...a tale of transgressive women in unwelcoming places, and what it takes to survive." - Alan Hunter, Screen International This Terror-Fi exclusive will be your only chance to see the film in a cinema! Nawojka, 20, dreams of escaping her harsh life working at the family farm. Under the influence of the free-spirited Sandra, Naw experiences trance-like episodes and strange powers, just like her dead mother before her. Festivals: Cannes Directors' Fortnight 25 Genre: Folk Horror, Drama Country: France Runtime: 99 minutes Rating: tbc Directors: Julia Kowalski Cast: Ralph Johnson, Erroll Shand, Jodie Hillock, Simon Phillips

New Zealand Premiere If you love the unique comedies Terror-Fi brings you, like 'Hundreds of Beavers'' and 'Greener Grass', this gem is for you! 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and not to be missed in a crowded cinema! "Consistently hilarious and mesmerizing in its sheer audacity and execution. There has never been a movie like this before, and I have a hard time imagining there ever will be again." - Nathan McVay, HeyUGuys In a harebrained attempt to get their band booked at a local dive bar, two lovable losers convert an old RV into a time machine taking a temporal road trip leaving behind a trail of destruction, alternate timelines and a broken friendship. Festivals: SXSW 25, Melbourne 25 Genre: Comedy Country: Canada Runtime: 100 minutes Festivals: SXSW 25, Melbourne 25 Director: Matt Johnson Cast: Matt Johnson, Jay McCarrol

New Zealand Premiere – Closing Night See the film that sent the Fantastic Fest crowd wild at its World Premiere … and won’t be in cinemas until 2026. What a way to finish Terror-Fi 2025! "If you wish that Nope had just doubled-down on the chimp violence, Primate is absolutely the blood-flavored popcorn flick you've been waiting for." - Richard Whittaker, Austin Chronicle After returning home to Hawaii for summer break, Lucy is reunited with her father Adam, sister Erin and their pet chimpanzee Ben. Lucy and her friends Kate, Hannah and Kate's older brother Nick decide to throw a pool party to take advantage of an empty house after Lucy's father is called away for work. Unbeknownst to them, Ben is bitten by a rabid animal and the gentle chimpanzee they once knew is no more. The group is forced to barricade themselves in the pool, but with no means of calling for help, they must work together to figure out how to outsmart the now ferocious Ben and survive their ordeal. Festivals: Fantastic Fest 25 (Secret Screening), Fright Fest UK 25 Genre: Horor Country: USA Runtime: 89 minutes Festivals: Fantastic Fest 25 (Secret Screening), Fright Fest UK 25 Director: Johannes Roberts Cast: Jessica Alexander, Troy Kotsur, Johnny Sequoyah

New Zealand Premiere A delightfully twisted tale that has you hooked from the first scene and leaves you with a smile on your face. One of those indie gems you love to discover at a festival. "...a compelling, darkly comedic thriller..." - Douglas Davidson, Elements of Madness This Terror-Fi exclusive will be your only chance to see the film in a cinema! -- A struggling writer in the midst of a divorce befriends a retired serial killer who incidentally becomes his marriage counselor by day, and killing counselor for his next book by night. -- Festivals: Tribeca 25, Monster Fest 25 Genre: Crime, Black Comedy, Noir Country: USD Runtime: 103 minutes Rating: R16 – violence & sexual violence references Festivals: Tribeca 25, Monster Fest 25 Directors: Tolga Karaçelik Cast: Steve Buscemi, John Magaro, Britt Lower

New Zealand Premiere Enjoy a special secret screening with us! We can't say much ... other than it's a horror, a New Zealand premiere, and one of the first screenings in the world! Shhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

New Zealand Premiere This stunning fantasy adventure from A24 is a beautiful piece of magical escapism. Not to be missed on the big screen. "...a rare triumph of analogue effects and spellbinding spectacle." - Linda Marric, HeyUGuys This Terror-Fi exclusive will be your only chance to see the film in a cinema! In a remote village on the island of Carpathia, a shy farm girl named Yuri is raised to fear an elusive animal species known as Ochi. But when Yuri discovers a wounded baby Ochi has been left behind, she escapes on a quest to bring him home. Festivals: Sundance 25, Melbourne International Film Festival 25 Genre: Fantasy, Adventure Country: United States Runtime: 95 minutes Rating: M – content may disturb Festivals: Sundance 25, Melbourne 25 Directors: Isaiah Saxon Cast: Emily Watson, Willem Dafoe, Finn Wolfhard, Helena Zengel

New Zealand Premiere Be the first in New Zealand to see this truly fresh and emotional take on the zombie genre ... and it's not coming to cinemas until February 2026! "Just when you thought nothing original could come to the zombie genre director Zak Hilditch proves that wrong with the brilliant We Bury The Dead." - David Griffiths, Subculture Entertainment Ava, a desperate woman whose husband is missing in the aftermath of a catastrophic military experiment, joins a "body retrieval unit," but her search takes a chilling turn when the corpses she's burying start showing signs of life. Festivals: SXSW 25, Melbourne 25 Genre: Horror, Drama Country: Australia Runtime: 94 minutes Rating: R16 – violence, horror, drug use & offensive language Festivals: SXSW 25, Melbourne 25 Directors: Zac Hilditch Cast: Daisy Ridley, Matt Whelan, Brenton Thwaites, Mark Coles Smith

- OFFICIAL SELECTION: Toronto International Film Festival 2025 - From BAFTA-and-Tony-winning writer Alan Bennett and director Nicholas Hytner, the team behind The History Boys and The Lady in the Van, The Choral explores the humour and humanity at the heart of a community facing an uncertain future. Academy Award® nominee and BAFTA-winner Ralph Fiennes heads up a cracking cast of character actors in this touching period piece. As war rages on the Western Front, the Choral Society in Ramsden, Yorkshire has lost most of its men to the army. The Choral’s ambitious committee, determined to press ahead, decides to recruit local young males to swell their ranks. They must also engage a new chorus master, and despite their suspicions that he has something to hide, their best bet seems to be Dr. Henry Guthrie (Fiennes) – driven, uncompromising, and recently returned from a career in Germany. As conscription papers start to arrive, the whole community discovers that the best response to the chaos that is laying waste to their lives is to make music together. With a knockout performance from the always-reliable Fiennes, and a compelling story to boot, The Choral is guaranteed to be a hit at this year’s Festival. Book your tickets quickly to avoid disappointment!

- OFFICIAL SELECTION: Locarno Film Festival 2025 - Witness British screen-legend Emma Thompson as you’ve never seen her before in this tense, gripping, and icy thriller... When she’s unexpectedly hit by a blizzard, grief-stricken loner Barb (Thompson) gets lost among the backroads near a Minnesotan lake. While stopping to ask for help at a remote cabin in the woods, Barb discovers a young woman (Laurel Marsden), who has been kidnapped by an armed and desperate couple (Judy Greer, Marc Menchaca), intent on murder. Isolated in the desolate frozen wilds and without cell service, Barb realises she is this woman’s only hope of survival. From Irish director Brian Kirk (My Boy Jack) and featuring a career-best performance from Thompson, this gritty, pulse-pounding trip is guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat.

- OFFICIAL SELECTION: Edinburgh International Film Festival 2025 - - OFFICIAL SELECTION: Telluride Film Festival 2025 - Dating back to neolithic times, few culinary traditions have survived as long as the hearty bowl of morning porridge. Despite its simple recipe of oats, salt and water there is a lot that can vary. Each year the sleepy highland village of Carrbridge awakens with excitement as locals and competitors from around the globe vie for the honour of winning The Golden Spurtle in the World Porridge Making Championships. For ageing, charismatic, and soon-to-retire protagonist Charlie Miller, this competition means so much more than just a bowl of steaming oats. With ailing health but a responsibility to his fellow porridge committee members, Charlie is on a mission to secure the future of the championships – and his own legacy. Against the backdrop of the breathtaking Scottish Highlands and infused with whimsical humour of an eclectic cast, The Golden Spurtle captures the humanity of village life and those who visit with spurtle in hand.

Prepare to be transported to the striking beauty of the Scottish wilderness in The North, a visceral journey through sheets of rain, craggy cliffs and lonesome beaches. A decade after being best friends and roommates, Chris and Lluis set out on a 600 kilometre hike through the Scottish Highlands. Following the West Highland Way and The Cape Wrath Trail, they spend 30 days together in nature - hoping to rekindle their once-powerful friendship. But while Chris remains preoccupied with work and life back at home, Lluis is determined to finish the trail to prove he can do it. The solitude and silence of the Highlands forces them to confront harsh truths about themselves, their friendship, and what it truly means to stand still and listen. Set against the pace and demands of long-distance hiking, The North depicts the intricacies and challenges of both friendship and internal human struggles against the backdrop of the beautifully stark landscapes of the Highlands. Director Bart Schrijver was inspired to make the film after walking New Zealand’s own Te Araroa hike.

Maggie Smith earned her first Academy Award for this beloved period drama, originally released in 1969. Smith plays the titular Jean Brodie, a headstrong and liberated young teacher at a private school in 1930s Edinburgh. Eccentric but inspirational, Miss Brodie prefers to avoid any sort of curriculum in favour of what she feels her young female charges should know about life. Outside of class, a small group of girls compete for her favour, but their initial devotion eventually leads to jealousies, betrayal and tragedy. Based on the acclaimed novel and stage play by Muriel Spark, make time during this year’s Festival to revisit Maggie Smith’s award-winning performance.

Purchase tickets to THE PROMISE and support FREE WEST PAPUA ACTION TAMAKI MAKAURAU fundraising for a speaking tour of West Papua guests, covering air fares and related costs. Film maker Daan Veldhuizen exposes the betrayal of West Papua by the Netherlands, the United Nations and the United States. A forgotten struggle, a lost future. In the 1960s, West Papua was on the path to independence. But international interests, geopolitical power struggles, and economic motives dictated otherwise. Through uniquely restored and colourised 35mm archival footage, the film brings this untold history back to life, revealing how an entire people is systematically betrayed and oppressed.  West Papua activists in exile tell their gripping stories as they explain why their struggle for self-determination continues despite more than 60 years of suffering and the world’s neglect. Mix and Mingle 2:15pm and the movie will screen at 3pm after a short introduction from Maire Leadbeater who will outline Aotearoa’s role in this story. Tickets are $25 each. Director: Daan Veldhuizen Duration: 115 min When West Papua was betrayed, the world looked away.

In a near-future society, The Running Man is the top-rated show on television—a deadly competition where contestants, known as Runners, must survive 30 days while being hunted by professional assassins, with every move broadcast to a bloodthirsty public and each day bringing a greater cash reward. Desperate to save his sick daughter, working-class Ben Richards (Glen Powell) is convinced by the show’s charming but ruthless producer, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin), to enter the game as a last resort. But Ben’s defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite—and a threat to the entire system. As ratings skyrocket, so does the danger, and Ben must outwit not just the Hunters, but a nation addicted to watching him fall.

Auckland Red Carpet Premiere Meet and Greet at 6.30pm Screening from 7.30pm Matt is a 29 year old slacker that works part time at his best friend’s famous older brother’s Cambridge Laundromat. Despite not being in his dream job Matt has a seemingly good life. He has a lovely long-term girlfriend Kelly (whose dad Phil conveniently owns the tavern), a tight knit group of mates, and a local tavern which keeps him entertained. The Tavern is a run down, eye-sore frequented by few customers with only the annual stripper night drawing a crowd. When Matt and his mates enquire about the date of the stripper night, Phil tells them that it won’t be happening this year. He’s set to sell the pub to slick Ponsonby property developer Vick Preston who plans on turning it into an upscale food court called IFD (International Food District). After a few beers Matt and his mates hatch a plan to buy the pub (with the blessing of Phil who ‘gives them a week’) with a series of bizarre fundraising ideas that test the strength of their relationships.

- OFFICIAL SELECTION: BFI London Film Festival 2024 - An intimate, star-studded dive into the birth of an icon, and everything that followed, Twiggy is a look at the life of the greatest ‘it-girl’ of all time. Director Sadie Frost follows up her 2021 documentary Quant with another deep dive into the story of a fashion legend. This time it’s the model and cultural icon Dame Lesley Lawson - better known as Twiggy. This slick documentary features a combination of fascinating archival footage and new interviews with stars such as Dustin Hoffman, Paul McCartney, Charlotte Tilbury, Joanna Lumley, and many more. Telling her story for the first time herself, Twiggy is an exploration of the model’s upbringing, career, relationships, and everything else that has made her the woman she is today.

From James Strong, director of the acclaimed mini-series Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Words of War tells the powerful true story of world-renowned journalist and human rights activist Anna Politkovskaya. Maxine Peake (also starring in I Swear at this year’s Festival) expertly portrays Politkovskaya’s brave crusade, putting her life in jeopardy by fighting to be an independent voice of truth for the Russian people. She refused to give up reporting on the war in Chechnya despite numerous acts of intimidation and violence, including being poisoned. Sparring with Peake on the silver screen is Jason Isaacs, in the role of Politkovskaya’s husband Sasha - a TV journalist who can barely hide his jealousy of his wife’s success. Irish screen legend Ciarán Hinds also joins the cast as Dmitry Muratov, Anna’s editor of the independent paper Novaya Gazeta. Politkovskaya’s legacy lives on, and her story serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting the right to report the news without fear of death or reprisal.