Film Fest on its way! Who's going to catch one of these flicks?
37 films to screen at the New Zealand International Film Festival in Masterton
The New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) has revealed the full programme for the 42nd film festival in Masterton.
37 films from 15 countries will screen at Regent 3 Cinemas from 29 August. Film Talks Wairarapa will host talks at two of the screenings with homegrown filmmakers in this year’s programme.
Debra Granik’s Leave No Trace will open the film festival in Masterton as a fundraiser in aid of the NZ Pacific Studio Artists’ Residency Centre at Mt Bruce. A fundraiser event will also be held at the Saturday 1 September screening of Pick of the Litter. The fundraiser is in aid of the Wairarapa Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) and tickets can be purchased from the Regent 3 Cinemas.
Colombian crime thriller Birds of Passage will close the film festival 15 days later.
Jane Ross of Film Talks Wairarapa will once again connect local film fans with New Zealand filmmakers at NZIFF screenings in Masterton. Hepi Mita will attend the screenings of his documentary Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen, the film and tribute to his late mother and pioneering indigenous filmmaker Merata Mita. Dustin Feneley (director) and Kieran Charnock (lead actor) will attend the screenings of Stray at Regent 3, the self-funded NZ feature which set records for the largest funds raised on the Boosted fundraising platform. Film Talks will be held at each of these screenings at Regent 3. The Film Talks Wairarapa events are supported by the Masterton District Creative Communities Scheme.
“We present a programme as invigorating and timely as any we have every presented. There are debates, difficult decisions and joyous moments ahead. We hope Masterton audiences will embrace the line-up and find the movies that mean the most to them. Jane Ross’ Film Talks are a great opportunity for Masterton audiences to learn even more about the creative aspects of significant NZ films in the programme this year,” says NZIFF Director Bill Gosden.
I am delighted to support our amazingly talented filmmakers. We are all so looking forward to sharing these important stories with our Wairarapa audiences." says Jane Ross of Films Talks Wairarapa.
The best of new New Zealand short films will screen as part of the annual New Zealand’s Best 2018 short film competition and the Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts 2018. All New Zealand films at NZIFF are sponsored by Resene.
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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52% Human-centred experience and communication
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15.2% Critical thinking
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29.9% Resilience and adaptability
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2.9% Other - I will share below!
Calling South Wairarapa Artists!
Wairarapa Art Trail is inviting local artists to be part of our 2026 Art Trail, happening 26–27 September 2026.
If you have a studio or art space and would like to open your doors to the public during the trail, we’d love to hear from you!
📧 Please email your expression of interest to: wairarapaarttrail@gmail.com
Let’s showcase the creativity of South Wairarapa together — feel free to share this post with fellow artists!
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