The Capitol

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.

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.

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.

Hey there, it’s Promise, Zoe and Ajay from Lemon Time Studios: a youth-led film collective with the motto “when life gives us lemons, we make short films”. This screening is a chance for our amazing cast, crew and friends to come together, celebrate what we’ve made and enjoy four of this year’s key projects on the big screen: “ Screening: ‘They Call This Healing’ is a tender, bittersweet portrait of Faith, a young woman finding her way back to herself after life comes to a halt. Through quiet moments and gentle routines she slowly rediscovers her rhythm – and the quiet wholeness of letting go. ‘Part of Me’ is a music video set on a stormy night in the city. When Imani-J stumbles upon an underground dance gathering, doubt gives way to rhythm. Through music and movement, she finds the courage to take up space, experiencing a quiet awakening; a rediscovery of who she is. ‘•••’ follows Sam, a sceptical young woman who downloads a viral AI podcast app called •••, only to find its narration creeping uncomfortably close to her reality. ‘I Lamp You’ is a sweet story about two twenty-somethings who meet in a furniture store and accidentally brighten each other’s day.

New Order Youth International Film Festival Award Ceremony 2pm Arrivals 3pm Ceremony 3.40 Screening of the award winning short f8ilms

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).

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

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.

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.

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

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)

Finland’s #1 Drama Series Betrayed. Bankrupt. Ready for Revenge. A darkly comedic, female-driven crime saga. Queen of F***ing Everything Finland’s most-watched drama series of all time. On Sunday, 23 November – 10:45 AM (screening begins at 11AM) Like Happy Valley and Mare of Easttown, this is prestige television with bite - a darkly funny, female-led story of ambition, betrayal, and revenge. A bold, stylish crime saga that puts a morally complex woman at the centre of her own downfall and rise. Coffee and Cupcake

- 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.

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.