This year, NZIFF is rolling out the red carpet for the people behind the films. From intimate Q&As to captivating opening night intros, our live events across Aotearoa will bring filmmakers out from behind the camera and into the spotlight. You'll get the chance to see, hear from, and connect with an incredible line-up of local and international directors and creatives - appearing in person at screenings and workshops nationwide.

Please note that guest appearances and live events may be subject to change.

International guests

Abinash Bikram Shah
Director of Elephants in the Fog

• Screenings:
  Auckland – Sunday 9 August, 3:45 p.m. at Academy Cinemas
  Christchurch – Wednesday 12 August, 5:45 p.m. at Lumière Cinemas (Bernhardt)
  Christchurch – Thursday 13 August, 10:00 a.m. at Lumière Cinemas (Bardot)
  Wellington – Friday 14 August, 6:00 p.m. at Massey University National Academy of Screen Arts Cinema
  Wellington – Saturday 15 August, 3:55 p.m. at Light House Cinema Cuba

James J. Robinson
Director of First Light

• Screenings:
  Auckland – Thursday 6 August, 1:15 p.m. at Rialto Cinemas Newmarket
  Auckland – Friday 7 August, 6:00 p.m. at Academy Cinemas

Sophie Hyde
Director of Jimpa

• Screenings:
  Auckland – Saturday 1 August 2:45 p.m. at The Civic
  Auckland – Sunday 2 August, 1:15 p.m. at Bridgeway

Kai Stänicke
Director of Trial of Hein

• Screenings:
  Auckland – Saturday 8 August, 6:00 p.m. at Academy Cinemas
  Christchurch – Thursday 13 August, 6:00 p.m. at Lumière Cinemas (Bernhardt)
  Christchurch – Friday 14 August, 10:30 a.m. at Lumière Cinemas (Bardot)
  Wellington – Saturday 15 August, 5:30 p.m. at Massey University National Academy of Screen Arts Cinema
  Wellington – Sunday 16 August, 8:15 p.m. at Light House Cinema Cuba

Warwick Thornton
Director of Wolfram

• Screenings:
  Auckland – Thursday 30 July, 6:30 p.m. at The Civic
  Auckland – Friday 31 July, 11:00 a.m. at Academy Cinemas

New Zealand guests

Gwen Isaac
Director of Be Merry

• Screenings:
  Auckland – Sunday 2 August, 10:00 a.m. at SkyCity Theatre
  Wellington – Saturday 22 August, 3:30 p.m. at Massey University National Academy of Screen Arts Cinema
  Wellington – Sunday 23 August, 12:30 p.m. at Light House Cinema Petone

Paloma Schneideman
Director of Big Girls Don’t Cry

• Screenings:
  Auckland – Wednesday 29 July, 7:00 p.m. at The Civic
  Auckland – Friday 31 July, 3:45 p.m. at Academy Cinemas
  Christchurch – Thursday 6 August, 7:00 p.m. at Lumière Cinemas (Bernhardt)
  Christchurch – Thursday 6 August, 7:30 p.m. at Lumière Cinemas (Bardot)
  Wellington – Wednesday 12 August, 7:00 p.m. at The Embassy
  Wellington – Thursday 13 August, 4:00 p.m. at Light House Cinema Cuba
  Dunedin – Friday 14 August, 7:00 p.m. at Regent Theatre

Pietra Brettkelly and The Critics
Directors of Crocodile

• Screenings:
  Auckland – Sunday 2 August, 6:15 p.m. at SkyCity Theatre
  Wellington – Monday 24 August, 6:15 p.m. at The Embassy
  Wellington – Tuesday 25 August, 4:00 p.m. at Light House Cinema Cuba

Pat Cox
Producer of Footrot Flats: The Dog’s Tale

• Screenings:
  Auckland – Saturday 1 August, 6:30 p.m. at SkyCity Theatre

Kieran Charnock and Jonathan Watt
Directors of In Search of My Moehau

• Screenings:
  Auckland – Friday 31 July, 9:00 p.m. at Hollywood Avondale
  Wellington – Thursday 20 August, 8:00 p.m. at Massey University National Academy of Screen Arts Cinema
  Masterton – Wednesday 9 September, 8:00 p.m. at The Screening Room

Harry Sinclair
Director of Kiri and Lou Go Raaa!

• Screenings:
  Auckland – Saturday 8 August, 10:00 a.m. at The Civic
  Wellington – Saturday 15 August, 10:00 a.m. at The Embassy
  Christchurch – Sunday 23 August, 10:30 a.m. at the Isaac Theatre Royal

Gerd Pohlmann
Director of Last Man Standing

• Screenings:
  Auckland – Saturday 1 August, 3:30 p.m. at SkyCity Theatre
  Christchurch – Friday 14 August, 2:00 p.m. at Lumière Cinemas (Bernhardt)
  Christchurch – Saturday 15 August, 3:00 p.m. at Jack Mann Theatre
  Wellington – Sunday 16 August, 2:15 p.m. at The Embassy
  Wellington – Monday 17 August, 10:30 a.m. at Light House Cinema Petone

Vea Mafile’o
Director of Lomu

• Screenings:
  Auckland – Saturday 1 August, 5:30 p.m. at The Civic
  Wellington - Saturday 15 August, 5:45 p.m. at The Embassy

Sean Wallace and Jordan Mark Windsor known as THUNDERLIPS
Directors of Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant

• Screenings:
  Auckland – Friday 7 August, 8:45 p.m. at The Civic
  Wellington – Friday 21 August, 8:15 p.m. at The Embassy

Mark Papalii
Director of My Humble Friend, Fonoti Pati Umaga

• Screenings:
  Auckland – Saturday 1 August, 10:00 a.m. at SkyCity Theatre
  Wellington – Saturday 15 August, 3:00 p.m. at Massey University National Academy of Screen Arts Cinema

Peter Terry
Producer of Nambassa Festival

• Screenings:
  Auckland – Sunday 2 August, 9:00 p.m. at SkyCity Theatre

Robert Sarkies
Director of Out of the Blue

• Screenings:
  Auckland – Friday 31 July, 6:15 p.m. at Hollywood Avondale
  Dunedin – Sunday 16 August, 7:30 p.m. at Regent Theatre
  Wellington – Monday 17 August, 8:30 p.m. at The Embassy

Conor Bowden
Director of The Ungrateful Tenant

• Screenings:
  Auckland – Thursday 30 July, 7:00 p.m. at Hollywood Avondale
  Wellington – Friday 21 August, 6:15 p.m. at Roxy Cinemas

Ryan Alexander Lloyd
Director of Uncle

• Screenings:
  Auckland – Saturday 1 August, 8:45 p.m. at SkyCity Theatre
  Christchurch – Tuesday 18 August, 5:45 p.m. at Lumière Cinemas (Bernhardt)
  Wellington – Wednesday 19 August, 6:15 p.m. at Massey University National Academy of Screen Arts Cinema