New Zealand International Film Festival Reveals Full 2025 Programme

Published: Tuesday 8 July 2025

 

The full programme for Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival 2025 has been revealed, featuring over 100 films from more than 40 countries, screening in 10 centres nationwide from 31 July to 10 September.

This year’s festival is expanded in scope, with screenings across 20 venues in Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, Nelson, Christchurch, Tauranga, Napier, Hamilton, New Plymouth, and Masterton.

Artistic Director Paolo Bertolin says the 2025 programme is a confident step up, reflecting the festival’s ambition and the public’s growing appetite for bold cinema.

“We’re excited to be presenting more than 30 standout titles direct from Cannes, alongside one of the strongest line-ups of new films from Aotearoa in recent years.

“International and local filmmakers will also be joining audiences across the country for Q&As and special events, reinforcing the festival’s role as both a major cultural moment and a focal point for the screen industry,” Bertolin says.

Festival Manager Matt Bloomfield says multipass sales are tracking higher than any previous year, signalling strong demand ahead of NZIFF 2025.

“We’re seeing increased uptake across all main centres. It’s clear there’s real anticipation building for the festival across the country,” Bloomfield says.

NZIFF is structured around curated strands that group films by theme or style. It also includes Big Nights for major titles like the opening and closing films, and a dedicated collection of short films from Aotearoa.