Doc Edge Festival 2025 Booklet | 20 Years of Life Unscripted

WARNING Watching the following documentaries will provide a more nuanced understanding of the world; this can expand your mind and may result in you becoming —

a term used to describe those who’ve become so smart it’s downright sexy.

Open at your own risk.

25 JUNE – 24 AUGUST 2025 TICKETS AT DOCEDGE.NZ TĀMAKI MAKAURAU AUCKLAND 25 JUN – 13 JUL

ŌTAUTAHI CHRISTCHURCH 16 JUL – 27 JUL

PŌNEKE WELLINGTON 16 JUL – 27 JUL

AOTEAROA NATIONWIDE 28 JUL – 24 AUG

Welcome to Doc Edge 2025 – a documentary festival like no other.

Doc Edge is the home for storytelling that changes your world and the Asia Pacific centre for all things documentary. Our kaupapa is to celebrate, support and showcase documentary.

Doc Edge is stepping confidently into the future, bringing audiences a festival experience that’s both in-person and online. Whether you are in Auckland, Invercargill, or anywhere in between, you can be part of the festival and enjoy powerful stories from around the world – wherever you are.

We celebrate bold, truth-telling storytelling across film, XR, and industry events. With a packed programme, there is something for everyone, from thought-provoking features to shorts, immersive experiences, and more.

20th Anniversary Edition 90 Films & Immersive Projects: 49 Feature Films 29 Short Films 12 Immersive Projects

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Premieres: 32 World 20 International 12 Asia Pacific 16 Australasia 10 New Zealand 61 Days

Welcome from Patron Helen Clark It is a pleasure to support Doc Edge as it celebrates its 20th anniversary – a remarkable milestone for a festival that has become a vital platform for bold, courageous storytelling. I fondly remember the first edition in 2005, when I had the honour of officially opening the festival as Prime Minister and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage.

As someone who is deeply passionate about documentary films, I believe in its unique ability to illuminate complex issues, elevate unheard voices, and foster empathy across cultures and perspectives. Documentaries help us understand our world more deeply, they challenge, inform, and inspire action.

In a time when truth is often contested and attention spans are short, Doc Edge continues to champion authentic, impactful storytelling.

It provides a space where diverse voices are heard, important conversations are started, and real change can begin.

Congratulations to the Doc Edge team, the filmmakers, and everyone involved in bringing this celebration of life unscripted to audiences across Aotearoa and beyond. I’m proud to support a festival that truly makes a difference.

Helen

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Welcome from Doc Edge Team Kia ora koutou Welcome to the 20th anniversary edition of Doc Edge – a milestone we are incredibly proud to share with you. What began as a small, passionate gathering has grown into a major cultural event and a leading force for documentary storytelling in the Asia Pacific region.

This year’s festival spans hundreds of events: powerful films, immersive experiences, and industry conversations that dive deep into the world around us. We are excited to welcome both local and international guests, filmmakers, and changemakers who remind us of the impact and urgency of real stories, especially in a time when the world feels increasingly divided.

Independent festivals like Doc Edge matter now more than ever. They provide space for voices that challenge, question, uplift, and connect. They support cinemas, foster dialogue, and remind us that documentary is not only an art form – it is a catalyst for change.

As we celebrate two decades of life unscripted, we invite you to lean in. Join the premieres. Attend the special events. Take action when action is needed.

Engage in the stories, the conversations, the kaupapa (purpose) that bring us together.

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As Doc Edge steps boldly into its next decade, join us in protecting and growing this vital platform — become a Doc Edge member or patron, share our vision, and help us reach new audiences, ignite powerful storytelling, and amplify voices that shape the future.

This festival is proudly produced with NI – Natural Intelligence. Thank you to our funders, partners, supporters, filmmakers, team, and our incredible audience for helping us celebrate this milestone edition.

See you at the festival.

Ngā mihi nui Dan Shanan Alex Lee Executive Director Director

Rachael Penman General Manager & Festival Producer

Judy Bailey

Kia ora tatou, A twentieth anniversary is quite something to celebrate and with two decades worth of highly successful Doc Edge festivals under the belt …. our thoughts inevitably turn to the need to nurture a new generation of storytellers, storytellers with a uniquely New Zealand perspective, but also young filmmakers from across the globe.

Doc Edge has always celebrated innovation and as new technologies evolve, there’s a myriad of different ways to connect with an audience.

With that in mind, I encourage you to take your family to explore this year’s Doc Edge Immersive Exhibition.

We’re showcasing 12 projects, both national and international, under the theme ‘Imagine & Re-Imagine’. These use VR, AR, performance, photography, and interactive installation to explore identity, history, and urgent global themes. Artist talks and hands-on workshops will also be part of the experience. What’s more, it’s free across Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch!

The industry sessions in Auckland from 30 June – 3 July are a wonderful opportunity for aspiring filmmakers to mine the knowledge and expertise of both local and international leaders in the field.

As always, the Doc Edge crew have put together an extraordinarily diverse and provocative offering of films. I hope you’re able to see as many as possible in theatre, because there’s nothing like the shared experience of watching a documentary on the big screen. Of course, if that’s not possible, there’s always the online festival running from 28 July to 24 August.

And personally, I’m delighted to welcome my local, Northcote Point’s Bridgeway Cinema, as a new venue, bringing the festival back to the North Shore for the first time in 14 years.

Happy viewing!

Nga mihi, Judy

Neil Waka

I have proudly been an Ambassador for Doc Edge since 2022 and continue to support a brand which is recognised the world over for their tireless work in supporting the development and creation of high-quality documentaries.

As a television news presenter/interviewer, reporter and producer of more than 25 years, I departed media for the corporate world and was fortunate to work for two iconic global brands in senior leadership management roles. Through these global giants, it was further impressed upon me the importance of developing great authentic relationships with people from all walks of life.

Over the past few years, I have been privileged to see some incredible documentaries and meet and discuss projects with some extraordinary filmmakers. Seeing their stories come to life through film only increased my love of documentaries.

Great filmmakers are great storytellers and Doc Edge has provided an opportunity for us to enjoy these journeys of discovery by passionate storytellers.

As a highly respected organisation for the Asia Pacific region, Doc Edge is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with the release of its newest films and with its Oscar-qualifying status secured for another three years, filmmakers have an incredible opportunity for their documentaries to be recognised amongst the best of the best at the Academy Awards.

Nga mihi, Neil

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Content

02

Welcome

08

Ticketing Information

10

Films by Category

40

Festival Timetable

50

Doc Edge Industry

76

Venues

82

Index

07 Presentation XX Special International Shorts 10

The Edge of Impact

16

The Art of Storytelling

22

Being Oneself

28

In Truth We Trust

34

Facing the Edge

52

Tides of Change

58

New Zealand Short Films

62

International Short Films

70

Doc Edge Immersive Exhibition 2025

Awards

Doc Edge is an Oscar-qualifying festival. Winners of the Best NZ and International feature and short film categories are eligible for Oscar consideration for 2026.

The 2025 Doc Edge Awards will be presented in Auckland on Thursday 3 July. The event will be streamed live online, and a list of all winners will be available on the Doc Edge website.

NEW ZEALAND COMPETITION Best New Zealand Feature (sponsored by NZ On Air) Best New Zealand Short (sponsored by NZ On Air) Best New Zealand Director Best New Zealand Editing Best New Zealand Cinematography Best New Zealand Sound Best New Zealand Emerging Filmmaker (sponsored by Department of Post) INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION Best International Feature (sponsored by Park Road Post) Best International Short (sponsored by Park Road Post) Best International Director Best International Editing Best International Cinematography Best International Sound FESTIVAL CATEGORY The Edge of Impact The Art of Storytelling Being Oneself In Facing the Edge Truth We Trust Tide of Change NZ STUDENT AWARDS Best Tertiary Film Best Secondary School Film (sponsored by UC|Kōawa Studios) IMMERSIVE EXHIBITION AWARDS Best New Zealand Impact Project Best International Impact Project DOC EDGE INDUSTRY PITCH AWARDS Best New Zealand Pitch Best International Pitch

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Doc Edge Superhero 2025 Ruby Chen Doc Edge proudly honours Ruby Chen, Co-Founder and CEO of CNEX Foundation, as the 2025 Doc Edge Superhero — recognising her extraordinary contribution to the world of documentary storytelling.

Chen has been a tireless champion for filmmakers across the Asia Pacific, playing a pivotal role in elevating Chinese and Asian documentaries on the global stage. She will receive her award at the Doc Edge Awards on 3 July and deliver a keynote address at the Doc Edge Forum, sharing her passion for storytelling that drives change.

“As we all believe in the importance of documentaries and the power of moving visuals, I am honoured to be part of this circle of professionals who work hard to create impact and inspire people of all walks to lead their lives with positive energy.” – Ruby Chen Chen is also a Professor at the School of Film Art, China Academy of Art, and has produced and executive produced dozens of award-winning films including Island in Between, 1428, KJ: Music and Life, Chinese Mayor, A Young Patriot, Plastic China, I’m So Sorry, and Four Journeys.

“Ruby Chen exemplifies the spirit of documentary filmmaking — courageous, transformative, and truthful.

Her dedication to nurturing new voices perfectly reflects the ethos of Doc Edge.”

Since co-founding CNEX in 2006, an organisation whose name means both "Chinese Next" and "See Next", Chen has been dedicated to producing and promoting Chinese documentaries that spark dialogue and foster cultural exchange. CNEX’s influence extends through its Chinese Documentary Forum (CCDF), launched in 2010 to support emerging talent and contemporary storytelling.

Chen’s vision and impact continue to inspire a new generation of documentary makers around the world. We are proud to celebrate her as part of our 20th anniversary edition.

– Alex Lee, Co-Founder and Director of Doc Edge

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Ticketing Information All festival event ticketing will be available through our website – making it easier than ever to book your tickets and plan your festival experience.

Packages & Gift Vouchers:

Ticket Prices

Doc Edge Members

Full ............................................................................... $25 Concession ............................................................. $21 Available for students, seniors 60+, and community services cardholders. Appropriate card and/or proof of age required.

Doc Edge Members .................................. $17.50 30% off, use your membership number on the film page.

Various ticket packages are available — check our website for details. Gift Vouchers can be purchased at any value and redeemed for Doc Edge tickets, passes, or memberships.

Members enjoy the guaranteed lowest ticket prices plus exclusive benefits. If you are not yet a member, we encourage you to join today.

Cashless Festival

Doc Edge Festival 2025 is fully cashless. All venue transactions must be made through our ticketing platform.

Please ensure you have a credit or debit card ready for purchases.

Allocated & Accessible Seating

5 Pass ....................................................................... $100 20% off, save $25, valid for up to 5 films with max 2 tickets per film.

All seats are allocated. To secure your preferred seat, we recommend booking early. If you require accessible seating or special arrangements, please contact us — we are happy to assist.

10 Pass ............................................................. $187.50

Late Entry Policy

25% off, save $62.50, valid for up to 10 films with max 2 tickets per film.

Online-Only Virtual Cinema Passes Short Binge Pass .............................................. $75 Watch all 28 short films.

All films are automatically added to your cart.

Screenings will start promptly. To ensure a seamless experience for audiences and filmmakers, late entry will only be allowed at appropriate times during the screening.

All ticket sales are final - no refunds or exchanges for late arrivals or missed screenings.

Ticketing Support

For enquiries, email us at tickets@docedge.nz or call 0800 DOC EDGE (362 3343). Our team is here to help.

Q&A Sessions

Full Binge Pass ................................................ $399

Join us for live Q&A sessions with filmmakers after selected screenings across Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.

Doc Edge Members Binge Pass ........ $299

This is your chance to dive deeper into the stories, ask questions, and connect with the creative minds behind the films.

Watch all 78 films.

All films are automatically added to your cart.

Watch all 78 films, use your membership number to buy the pass.

All films are automatically added to your cart.

Check our festival website for the latest updates on Q&A sessions and special guest appearances.

Q&A Sessions Join us for live Q&A sessions with filmmakers after selected screenings across Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.

This is your chance to dive deeper into the stories, ask questions, and connect with the creative minds behind the films.

Check our festival website for the latest updates on Q&A sessions and special guest appearances.

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Scan to Book Now

Thank You To Our Partners Gold

Silver

Bronze

Funders

Supporters

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THE EDGE OF IMPACT

This category shines a spotlight on powerful stories from the frontlines of change – where identity, environment, politics, and tradition collide. From rising seas in the Pacific to cultural survival in Australia, globalisation in Africa to resistance in West Papua, these films explore the courage, resilience, and truth-telling needed in a world on the brink.

The Edge of Impact is a call to awareness and action.

Before the Moon Falls Kimberlee Bassford | 2025 | 101 min | USA

World Premiere

When brilliance collides with unspeakable pain.

In May 2024, news of a murder in the Polynesian nation of Samoa rocked the Pacific.

The perpetrator, Sia Figiel, was a trailblazing novelist and poet who won international acclaim for being the first to write about the difficult realities Samoan girls and women face. The victim was her friend, who was also a poet.

AKL CHC WLG

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Sat 28 June | 3.15 PM | The Capitol Wed 09 July | 6.00 PM | Bridgeway Thu 17 July | 8.15 PM | Lumiere Sat 19 July | 3.30 PM | The Roxy

This film was a portrait of Sia eight years in the making when the murder happened.

Now it offers an in-depth and thoughtprovoking look at her journey leading up to the tragedy, illuminating the complexity of untreated mental illness and the devastating toll it can exact on individuals, families, and entire communities.

The film was pitched at Doc Edge Industry 2021.

Folktales Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady | 2025 | 106 min | USA, Norway

New Zealand Premiere

Troubled teenagers run wild with Norwegian huskies.

Exhausted by loneliness, social anxiety, and all the crushing pressures felt by Gen Z, three teenagers make the daring decision to leave the comforts of home to enrol in a traditional “folk high school” in the wilds of northern Norway. Dropped in the Arctic wilderness for one year, Hege, Romain, and Bjørn Tore must rely on themselves and a pack of loyal sled dogs as they take the daunting step from childhood to adulthood. Freed of technology, social media, and the noise of modern life, this brave trio learn to face themselves for the first time, and experience an unexpected, wondrous transformation.

AKL WLG CHC

Sat 28 June | 1.00 PM | Bridgeway Sat 05 July | 1.15 PM | The Capitol Sun 27 July | 10.00 AM | The Roxy Sat 26 July | 5.45 PM | Lumiere

How to Build a Library Maia Lekow, Christopher King | 2025 | 103 min | Kenya

Directed by Doc Edge alumnae Ewing and Grady (Detropia, Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You).

New Zealand Premiere

Building a community, one book at a time.

In the heart of Nairobi, two intrepid young women, Shiro and Wachuka, set out to transform a crumbling colonial-era library into a dynamic cultural hub for the city’s youth.

What begins as a vision for creative revival soon becomes a powerful act of reclamation, as they navigate political hurdles, secure funding, and confront the lingering shadows of colonial legacy. With vibrant energy and unshakable determination, the duo confronts tough questions: when to compromise, and when to fight for their ideals. Bursting with charm and purpose, this delightful film celebrates youth activism, cultural rebirth, and the real work of decolonisation.

AKL WLG CHC

Thu 26 June | 6.00 PM | Bridgeway Mon 07 July | 8.30 PM | The Capitol Sat 26 July | 3.15 PM | The Roxy Sat 26 July | 3.15 PM | Lumiere

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Made in Ethiopia Xinyan Yu, Max Duncan | 2024 | 91 min | USA, Ethiopia, Denmark, UK, Canada

Australasia Premiere

A dusty town becomes ground zero in the globalisation game.

In rural Ethiopia, a massive Chinese industrial park promises 30,000 new jobs, but the collision of two worlds, one driven by profit and progress, the other defined by a vanishing countryside and the cycle of seasons, reveals the harsh complexities of globalisation.

Factory director Motto strives to push forward an ambitious expansion, while an Ethiopian farmer and factory worker bet their futures on the promised prosperity. Filmed over four years, the film provides a nuanced, multiperspective look at the real impacts of China’s investment in Africa, going beyond simplistic narratives of victims and villains to explore the true cost of development, tradition, and welfare.

AKL WLG CHC

Thu 26 June | 8.15 PM | Bridgeway Fri 27 June | 8.15 PM | The Capitol Sat 26 July | 6.00 PM | The Roxy Sat 26 July | 11.30 AM | Lumiere

OCEANIA: Journey to the Center Natalie Zimmerman | 2024 | 75 min | USA

Asia Pacific Premiere

Sink or soar before the waves take it all.

The film begins on a coral atoll facing uninhabitability by 2030 due to rising seas and climate change. Through the story of a mother and her adult son, the film explores resilience, cultural survival, and the lasting impacts of colonisation. Balancing discovery with loss, it urges us to reframe our relationship with climate data by engaging emotionally, socially, and spiritually. It is a reflective call to action, asking what connections are essential to human and ecological survival, and why we must restore them to ensure our future. *Screening with Qotzuñi: People of the Lake 13 min AKL CHC WLG

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Wed 02 July | 6.15 PM | The Capitol Sun 13 July | 4.45 PM | Bridgeway Thu 17 July | 6.15 PM | Lumiere Thu 17 July | 6.15 PM | The Roxy

The Promise Daan Veldhuizen | 2025 | 115 min | Netherlands

International Premiere

When West Papua was betrayed, the world looked away.

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.

With gripping stories of Papuans in exile and their struggle for recognition, director Veldhuizen paints a painful picture of how colonialism gave way to neocolonialism, and how the world remained silent.

AKL WLG CHC

Tue 01 July | 8.15 PM | Bridgeway Sun 06 July | 5.00 PM | The Capitol Sun 20 July | 5.15 PM | The Roxy Sun 20 July | 1.15 PM | Lumiere

YUMI: The Whole World Felix Golenko | 2025 | 89 min | Germany

International Premiere

You are never too young to fight for the future.

The film follows three law students from the University of the South Pacific, Romabeth, Vishal, and Solomon, as they lead a historic campaign to bring climate justice to the International Court of Justice. Facing rising seas in Vanuatu, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands, their mission is urgent and personal. As they build global alliances and rally UN support, they seek a landmark ruling to define states’ legal obligations on climate change. It is a powerful story of resilience, hope, and youthled action in the face of a climate crisis, asking: can justice come in time to save their sinking homelands?

AKL WLG CHC

Sat 05 July | 3.30 PM | The Capitol Fri 11 July | 6.00 PM | Bridgeway Sat 26 July | 1.30 PM | The Roxy Sat 26 July | 1.30 PM | Lumiere

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Yurlu | Country Yaara Bou Melhem | 2025 | 85 min | Australia

International Premiere

An Elder’s final promise to Country.

The film tells the powerful story of Banjima Elder Maitland Parker, who called his ancestral land “Poison Country” from contamination left behind by Wittenoom mines in Western Australia’s Pilbara. As he battles mesothelioma, Maitland’s fight for justice, cultural survival, and environmental restoration deepens. Set against breathtaking yet poisoned landscapes, the film blends personal storytelling and stunning cinematography to reveal the human cost of industrial devastation. A moving testament to the resilience of the Banjima people and their unbreakable bond with Country, it honours Maitland’s legacy and calls for accountability, healing, and lasting change.

AKL CHC WLG

Sun 06 July | 3.45 PM | Bridgeway Wed 09 July | 6.15 PM | The Capitol Mon 21 July | 6.15 PM | Lumiere Wed 23 July | 6.15 PM | The Roxy

Directed by Doc Edge alumna Bou Melhem (Unseen Skies).

Congratulations Doc Edge on 20 years of celebrating documentary!

Shift72 is proud to partner with you in showcasing documentaries to audiences across Aotearoa.

Leaders In Video Monetisation & Streaming - www.shift72.com

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CELEBRATING

20 YEARS OF DOC EDGE A proud partnership with Grand Millenium Auckland

Welcome to Grand Millennium Auckland, an iconic 4.5-star Qualmark-graded hotel that combines timeless elegance with modern comfort in the heart of Auckland.

Featuring the city’s largest rooms with true king-sized beds, complete with deluxe bathrooms and stunning views of Auckland’s vibrant skyline, the hotel offers an unmatched stay.

Guests can enjoy a wide range of premium amenities, including ample on-site parking spaces, an exclusive adults-only Club Lounge, an indoor pool and outdoor deck, a fully equipped business service centre, electric vehicle charging stations, and unlimited Wi-Fi. Explore the culinary delights within our Grand Dining Precinct, home to renowned restaurants Katsura, Ember, The Aviary, and Dans Le Noir, led by Executive Chef James Kenny, who brings his passion for seasonal produce to every dish.

The Les Clefs d’Or Concierge Team is at your service to offer personalised recommendations and assist with booking local events and activities, ensuring your stay is seamless and memorable.

Located just 30–45 minutes from Auckland Airport by taxi, with convenient public transport links and an on-site taxi rank, the hotel provides unmatched accessibility.

Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, Grand Millennium Auckland promises an unforgettable experience filled with grand comfort, breathtaking views, and exceptional service.

P +64 9 366 3000 | E grandmillennium.auckland@millenniumhotels.co.nz www.millenniumhotels.com Follow us: Grand Millennium Auckland 71 MAYORAL DRIVE, AUCKLAND CENTRAL

EXPERIENCE SOMETHING

TRULY GRAND 15

THE ART OF STORYTELLING

Storytelling is how we make sense of the world – through music, dance, cinema, performance, and personal expression.

This category honours artists who tell bold, beautiful, and often deeply personal stories. From the life of Chaplin to Ai Weiwei’s operatic debut, from the dancefloors of Chinatown to the trenches of Ukraine, The Art of Storytelling reminds us that creativity is a form of resistance, healing, and connection.

These films celebrate the storytellers who shape culture, preserve memory, and ignite imagination.

A Letter to David Tom Shoval | 2025 | 74 min | Israel, USA

Australasia Premiere

From scripted film to unimaginable reality.

AKL WLG CHC

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Sun 29 June | 3.00 PM | Bridgeway Sun 06 July | 3.00 PM | The Capitol Mon 21 July | 8.30 PM | The Roxy Mon 21 July | 8.30 PM | Lumiere

Filmmaker Tom Shoval creates a poignant cinematic letter to David Cunio, his former lead actor and friend, who was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz to Gaza on 7 October and remains in captivity. Using behind-thescenes footage, raw material, and auditions from their earlier film Youth, a story that eerily mirrored themes of kidnapping, Shoval pieces together a haunting portrait of friendship, loss, and resilience. This affecting visual journey reflects on what was and never will be again, the cruel separation of twin brothers, and the inexplicable connection between life and cinema, memory and reality, offering testimony through what already exists, without showing the horrors of that day.

Ai Weiwei’s Turandot

Asia Pacific Premiere

Maxim Derevianko | 2024 | 77 min | Italy, USA

From protest to Puccini.

The film follows renowned artist and activist Ai Weiwei as he makes his operatic directorial debut at the Rome Opera House. Reimagining Puccini’s Turandot, Ai fuses its timeless narrative with urgent global issues, war, displacement, and human rights. Through intimate access to rehearsals and design, the film reveals his bold vision and creative process. With commentary from longtime collaborator Chiang Ching, it explores the opera’s deep personal resonance for Ai, reflecting his life’s work and philosophy.

A powerful blend of music, art, and activism, the film captures a historic moment where tradition meets transformation on the global stage.

AKL WLG CHC

Wed 25 June | 6.15 PM | The Capitol Sat 12 July | 11.30 AM | Bridgeway Sun 20 July | 6.00 PM | The Roxy Sun 20 July | 6.00 PM | Lumiere

Chaplin: Spirit of the Tramp Carmen Chaplin | 2024 | 90 min | France, Netherlands, Spain, UK

New Zealand Premiere

Where heritage meets cinema’s most iconic walk.

From director Carmen Chaplin comes a powerful debut that uncovers a hidden legacy behind one of cinema’s most iconic figures.

With unprecedented access to the Chaplin archives and exclusive family interviews, this film takes you deep into the Romany roots that helped shape Charlie Chaplin’s legendary character, The Tramp. Blending rare home movies, film clips, and striking contributions from leading Roma artists, it is an emotional, visually rich journey through identity, heritage, and creativity. More than a biography, it is a celebration of cultural influence and artistic genius, revealing a side of Chaplin the world has never seen.

AKL WLG CHC

Thu 26 June | 6.15 PM | The Capitol Sat 28 June | 11.00 AM | Bridgeway Sun 27 July | 11.00 AM | The Roxy Sun 27 July | 11.00 AM | Lumiere

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Chinatown Cha-Cha Luka Yuanyuan Yang | 2024 | 85 min | China

Australasia Premiere

You don’t age out of fabulous.

At 92, legendary nightclub starlet Coby Yee steps back into the spotlight with the Grant Avenue Follies, a senior Asian American dance troupe reviving the glamour of San Francisco’s Chinatown. Their tour travels across the US, Cuba, and China reclaiming diasporic histories and redefining aging with elegance and pride.

In Havana, a dazzling collaboration sparks cultural revival, while Coby’s return to China becomes a heartfelt farewell to her roots.

A moving portrait of resilience, legacy, and identity, this film captures Coby’s final bow, and the enduring power of performance to bridge generations and cultures.

The film won Best International Pitch at Doc Edge Industry 2021.

AKL WLG CHC

Sun 29 June | 6.00 PM | The Capitol Sat 12 July | 8.00 PM | Bridgeway Sun 20 July | 4.00 PM | The Roxy Sat 26 July | 11.00 AM | Lumiere

The Dancer Lacey Uhlemeyer | 2025 | 90 min | USA

World Premiere

Dancing his way to freedom.

For Ahmad Joudeh, a stateless refugee from Syria, dance is not a choice, it's a lifeline – etched onto his very skin with the words "Dance or Die." Having defied war and family disapproval to join the Dutch National Ballet, Ahmad found sanctuary in the Netherlands, becoming a UNHCR and LGBTQI+ Ambassador.

But haunted by the trauma of his past, he makes a perilous decision: to return to Syria for the first time since the war, risking everything to bring the healing power of dance to a community still ravaged by conflict.

AKL WLG CHC

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Tue 01 July | 8.30 PM | The Capitol Sun 06 Jul | 6.00 PM | Bridgeway Sat 26 July | 5.30 PM | The Roxy Sat 26 July | 5.30 PM | Lumiere

Front Row

Asia Pacific Premiere

Miriam Guttmann | 2024 | 76 min | Netherlands

From war to dance, a soldier finds new purpose.

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, young, exiled dancers form the United Ukrainian Ballet Company in the Netherlands. They welcome a soldier into their midst who lost both his legs in the war. With new prosthetics, he collaborates with his fellow Ukrainians on an original piece of choreography, igniting the dancers to channel their guilt and transform their grief. His presence becomes a powerful symbol of those left behind. The film is a moving story of resilience, unity, and artistic resistance, where culture is preserved through dance, and the stage becomes the place where the front row and the front line converge.

AKL WLG CHC

Mon 30 June | 8.15 PM | Bridgeway Sat 05 July | 8.15 PM | The Capitol Wed 23 July | 8.15 PM | The Roxy Wed 23 July | 8.30 PM | Lumiere

*Screening with Through a Glass, Lightly 9 min

Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror Linus O’Brien | 2025 | 89 min | USA

International Premiere

It’s astounding, let's do the Time Warp again.

From humble origins as a London fringe theatre play to its meteoric rise, fall and resurrection as the biggest cult film of all time, this is the definitive story of the Rocky Horror Show. With intimate access to its creator Richard O’Brien and other major players such as Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, and Lou Adler, the film explores what makes the play and film so singular. Its groundbreaking and transgressive themes, iconic performances and epic songs took over popular culture.

The cult phenomenon that sprung around it is unparalleled, and created not only the midnight screenings which continue to this day, but also a safe haven for those who ever felt different or marginalised.

AKL CHC WLG

Sat 28 June | 7.30 PM | Bridgeway Sun 13 July | 8.00 PM | The Capitol Sat 19 July | 8.30 PM | Lumiere Mon 21 July | 8.30 PM | The Roxy

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Three Days in February

World Premiere

Serena Giovanna Stevenson | 2025 | 74 min | New Zealand

A stunning audiovisual experience of Splore.

Filmed over seven years during a three-day music and art festival, Splore, the film is a cinematic celebration of human connections and our need for play. For decades this festival has created a safe space for playfulness on land that is blessed by the local iwi. Doc Edge Alumna Stevenson explores deep human emotion with cinematic frames and a multigenre score, sinking into moments of humour, joy, family, celebration, love and adventure, where even the mundane is insightful. *Screening with Nothing is Impossible: The Primanavia Story 15 min

AKL WLG CHC

Wed 25 June | 8.15 PM | Bridgeway Sat 28 June | 8.15 PM | The Capitol Sat 19 July | 8.30 PM | The Roxy Mon 21 July | 8.00 PM | Lumiere

We’ll take care of you here. Ōtautahi Christchurch has diverse landscapes, accessible film locations, digital screen capacity Christchurch and talented NZ ADVERTS? TO BE PROVIDED crew ready to help tell your stories.

Ōtautahi Christchurch and Screen CanterburyNZ congratulate Doc Edge on their 20 year anniversary.

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Support for the communities of today, to shape the communities of tomorrow.

Learn more.

Proud supporter of Doc Edge in its 20th year.

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BEING ONESELF

This category celebrates deeply personal stories of identity, resilience, and transformation. From a Deaf love story spanning decades to the journey of a Kiwi wild child, these films explore what it means to live authentically in a world that often expects conformity. Whether breaking barriers, healing from the past, or chasing dreams, Being Oneself honours the courage it takes to simply be you.

A Quiet Love

World Premiere

Garry Keane | 2025 | 95 min | Ireland

Three love stories.

One shared language.

In this intimate film, three Deaf couples share their remarkable love stories through Irish Sign Language: a decades-long forbidden romance across a religious divide, an LGBTQI+ couple navigating parenthood with Deaf and hearing children, and a Deaf boxer and his hearing partner facing a life-altering choice. A cinematic celebration of resilience, connection, and enduring love; featuring an immersive soundscape, it is Ireland’s first feature film in Irish Sign Language, produced by a Deaf and hearing team and directed by award-winning alumnus Keane (In the Shadow of Beirut).

AKL WLG CHC

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Fri 04 July | 6.00 PM | Bridgeway Thu 10 July | 8.15 PM | The Capitol Sat 19 July | 1.00 PM | The Roxy Sat 19 July | 1.00 PM | Lumiere

Supported by

A Sisters’ Tale

Asia Pacific Premiere

Leila Amini | 2024 | 93 min | Iran, Switzerland, France

Her singing defies Iran’s silence.

In Iran, where women are forbidden from singing in public, Nasreen, once silenced by marriage and tradition, dares to reclaim her voice. Filmed over seven years by her sister, director Leila Amini, the film chronicles one woman’s quiet rebellion against cultural and domestic constraints. As she transforms from dutiful wife and mother into a determined singer, Nasreen’s journey becomes a powerful act of resistance. Her courage inspires a ripple effect, empowering her children, sisters, and mother. Intimate and deeply personal, the film captures a story of resilience, self-discovery, and the unyielding desire to be heard in a society that demands silence.

AKL CHC WLG

Thu 03 July | 6.00 PM | Bridgeway Sun 06 July | 1.00 PM | The Capitol Sat 19 July | 5.45 PM | Lumiere Thu 24 July | 4.30 PM | The Roxy

Child of Dust Weronika Mliczewska | 2025 | 93 min | Poland, Vietnam, Sweden, Czech Republic, Qatar

Asia Pacific Premiere

Vietnam to America, a son’s search.

Left behind after the Vietnam War, Sang is one of many children born to American soldiers and Vietnamese women. Marked by stigma and absence, he grows up yearning for the father he never knew. Decades later, he discovers his father is alive but dying in the U.S. Determined to meet him, Sang leaves his family in Vietnam to seek connection. In America, he is met with silence and estrangement, an outsider to both country and kin. As the dream of reunion fades, Sang finds something deeper: his own strength to confront the past, reclaim his identity, and shape a future on his terms.

AKL WLG CHC

Wed 02 July | 8.15 PM | The Capitol Sun 06 July | 1.15 PM | Bridgeway Sat 19 July | 6.15 PM | The Roxy Sun 20 July | 7.45 PM | Lumiere

23

The Dating Game Violet Du Feng | 2025 | 88 min | USA, UK, Norway

Asia Pacific Premiere

Move over Tinder, China’s toughest dating challenge starts now!

In a country where men outnumber women by over 30 million, the film follows Zhou, Li, and Wu, three single men attending a seven-day dating boot camp led by famed coach Hao. Through makeovers and “strategic deception,” Hao promises to transform their chances at love, just as he claims to have done for himself. As the bachelors navigate awkward challenges and curated personas, they grapple with what’s real and what is performance. Both humorous and heartfelt, the film explores the pressures of modern courtship in China, revealing deeper questions about identity, loneliness, and the human desire to connect.

AKL WLG CHC

Sun 29 June | 7.45 PM | Bridgeway Tue 08 July | 8.15 PM | The Capitol Sun 16 July | 6.15 PM | The Roxy Sun 27 July | 4.00 PM | Lumiere

Full Support Michal Cohen | 2024 | 68 min | Israel

Directed by Doc Edge alumna Du Feng (Hidden Letters).

Asia Pacific Premiere

The closest relationship nobody talks about.

In a Jaffa bra shop's fitting room, women's love-hate affair with their bosom buddies unfolds. As each heroine struggles to find the perfect bra, she bares not just her chest, but her soul, sharing tales of triumph, tribulation, and the occasional wardrobe malfunction. For breasts aren't just fleshy accessories, they are the protagonists of our life's epic. From the awkward moment they first break out, to the sobering reality checks of mammograms, our relationship with our "girls" is a bouncy rollercoaster of ups and downs because life, much like a poorly fitted bra, is full of surprises. *Screening with Pee Shy 19 min AKL WLG CHC

24

Sun 29 June | 1.00 PM | Bridgeway Sun 13 July | 3.30 PM | The Capitol Sun 20 July | 10.00 AM | The Roxy Sun 20 July | 3.45 PM | Lumiere

Ms President Marek Šulík | 2024 | 108 min | Slovakia

Australasia Premiere

Leadership redefined by grace and grit.

For five years she was the most trusted president of crisis-plagued Slovakia navigating dirty politics with dignity. For five years, a film crew followed her closely, even in situations where other cameras were not allowed. Political choices, meetings with world leaders over global dilemmas, but also with ordinary citizens over everyday problems.

An extraordinarily intimate portrait of a woman who tried to bring a humanly open approach to the traditionally male competitive world of top politics, at the same time fighting the most demanding battle in life at home.

AKL WLG CHC

Sun 29 June | 11.00 AM | Bridgeway Wed 09 July | 8.15 PM | The Capitol Sun 20 July | 1.30 PM | The Roxy Sun 27 July | 3.00 PM | Lumiere

No Tears on the Field Lisa Burd | 2025 | 90 min | New Zealand

World Premiere

In this scrum, sisterhood is the strategy.

In New Zealand's heartland, teams of aspiring female rugby players must shatter glass ceilings both on and off the field to achieve their improbable dream of international glory.

Directed by Doc Edge alumna Burd (Changing Gear, Monterey, Let’s Talk About Sex), the film is more than rugby, it is about resilience and authenticity at its best; young women daring to dream big but taken out by curveballs that leave you gasping, belly laughing, and ultimately feeling like anything is possible. It follows a season of women’s grassroots rugby in Taranaki from club players to sporting superheroes Michaela Blyde. You will be cheering from the sideline.

AKL WLG CHC

Wed 25 June | 8.00 PM | The Capitol Fri 27 June | 8.00 PM | Bridgeway Mon 21 July | 6.15 PM | The Roxy Wed 23 July | 6.15 PM | Lumiere

The film was pitched at Doc Edge Industry 2024.

25

Vivien’s Wild Ride Vivien Hillgrove | 2025 | 87 min | USA

International Premiere

She lost her sight, not her vision.

The film chronicles the extraordinary life of film editor Vivien Hillgrove, whose sight begins to fail after a prolific 50-year career. As she faces vision loss, memories resurface of a traumatic past, being a pregnant teen forced to surrender her child in 1960s Oakland. Her journey toward healing begins in a lesbian bar in San Francisco, where she finds community, purpose, and a career in film. From editing sound on Amadeus to building a family with her long-lost daughter, Vivien’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and the power of chosen connection. A moving exploration of identity, memory, and creative legacy.

AKL WLG CHC

Sat 05 July | 8.30 PM | Bridgeway Sat 12 July | 1.00 PM | The Capitol Tue 22 July | 8.30 PM | The Roxy Tue 22 July | 8.15 PM | Lumiere

Wildboy Toby Schmutzler | 2024 | 92 min | New Zealand, Germany

International Premiere

ADHD powered. Adventure driven.

The film follows Brando, a young man with ADHD, as he embarks on extraordinary adventures to escape societal norms and find purpose. At 18, he sets out to walk New Zealand's coastline, and over the next decade, he tackles epic feats: skiing across Greenland, kayaking around Vancouver Island, and cycling across the Australian Outback.

Each adventure is a test of endurance, selfdiscovery, and resilience. Along the way, Brando reflects on mental health, identity, and purpose, becoming an ambassador for ADHD. The film captures his physical challenges and the personal growth that unfolds in the most remote, untamed corners of the world.

AKL CHC WLG

26

Sat 05 July | 5.45 PM | The Capitol Wed 09 July | 8.15 PM | Bridgeway Sun 20 July | 1.30 PM | Lumiere Sun 27 July | 3.00 PM | The Roxy

27

IN TRUTH WE TRUST

In a world of disinformation and power plays, these gripping stories dig deep to uncover hidden truths. From whistleblowers and warzones to corruption, propaganda, and the dark side of the internet, this category reveals the cost of speaking out and the courage it takes to challenge the status quo. In Truth We Trust is a tribute to those who risk everything in pursuit of justice, transparency, and accountability.

Blame Christian Frei | 2025 | 122 min | Switzerland

Asia Pacific Premiere

Bats, politics, and a planet out of balance.

AKL WLG CHC

28

Thu 03 July | 8.15 PM | The Capitol Fri 11 July | 8.00 PM | Bridgeway Sun 20 July | 11.00 AM | The Roxy Sun 20 July | 11.00 AM | Lumiere

Amid rising misinformation and political division, alumnus director Frei (Genesis 2.0), follows three scientists who traced the origins of SARS to bats in a Yunnan cave, only to have their warnings about future pandemics ignored. When COVID-19 strikes, they are thrust into the spotlight, facing attacks and global blame. Through exclusive access, the film explores their fight to uphold science amid conspiracy, media frenzy, and geopolitical tension. Visually stunning and deeply political, it reveals how fact-free narratives paved the way for Trump’s return and the far-right’s surge across Europe, while nature quietly prepares its next move, unnoticed in the noise of outrage and denial.

Click the Link Below Audun Amundsen | 2025 | 103 min | Norway

World Premiere

Selling success comes at a price.

A filmmaker seeking financial freedom dives into the world of online marketing under the mentorship of Akbar Sheikh, a former homeless man turned digital millionaire. But as the cash rolls in and the stakes rise, cracks begin to show. Is this a dream come true or a dangerous illusion? Featuring explosive revelations, exclusive access to online empire builders, and interviews with digital powerhouses seen by hundreds of millions, this high-stakes film pulls back the curtain on an industry built on hype, hustle, and heartbreak. It is a revealing look at ambition, identity, and the true price of chasing success in the digital age.

AKL WLG CHC

Sat 12 July | 7.30 PM | The Capitol Sun 13 July | 2.15 PM | Bridgeway Thu 17 July | 8.15 PM | The Roxy Sat 19 July | 5.45 PM | Lumiere

Devils on Horses Edward Sampson | 2025 | 85 min | New Zealand

World Premiere

The unspoken bond between soldier and horse.

AKL CHC WLG

Set against the brutal backdrop of the Sinai-Palestine campaigns in WWI, this powerful story reveals the unbreakable bond between soldiers and their horses, trusted companions that offered comfort, courage, and connection in the face of unrelenting war.

Through stunning visuals, raw interviews, and immersive reenactments, the film brings to life the emotional journey of men who found strength in their steeds. But when peace arrived, a cruel twist — strict quarantine laws — forced many to leave their loyal partners behind. Heart-wrenching and deeply human, this is a timely reflection on the scars of war and the battles soldiers continue to fight long after returning home.

Wed 25 June | 6.00 PM | Bridgeway Sat 28 June | 5.45 PM | The Capitol Sun 20 July | 3.45 PM | Lumiere Sat 26 July | 11.00 AM | The Roxy

29

Facing War

Australasia Premiere

Tommy Gulliksen | 2025 | 104 min | Norway

Inside NATO’s “war room”.

Go inside NATO’s inner sanctum at a moment when the world stands on a knife’s edge. With rare, behind-the-scenes access, this political thriller captures the high-stakes diplomacy unfolding as Jens Stoltenberg is convinced to remain Secretary General for one final year. As war rages in Ukraine, global leaders— Biden, Zelensky, Erdoğan, Orbán—clash over strategy, unity, and survival. Promises are made, alliances tested, and peace hangs by a thread. Can Stoltenberg keep NATO together and deliver on his vow to stand by Ukraine?

This is raw, real-time power politics at its most intense, where every decision could shape the future of Europe.

AKL WLG CHC

Sun 29 June | 3.45 PM | The Capitol Thu 10 July | 8.15 PM | Bridgeway Sat 26 July | 10.30 AM | The Roxy Sat 26 July | 8.00 PM | Lumiere

The Gardener, the Buddhist & the Spy Håvard Bustnes | 2025 | 95 min | Norway, Germany, UK

Australasia Premiere

Can you trust the truth when the storyteller is a spy?

Rob Moore, a former TV producer, lived a double life, posing as a journalist to infiltrate anti-asbestos circles while secretly working for the asbestos lobby. When his true identity is exposed, activists feel betrayed, but Rob claims he was a double agent, gathering evidence against his corrupt employers. With his reputation shattered, he convinces two veteran journalists to tell his side of the story.

But as they dig deeper, questions mount: is Rob a whistleblower or master manipulator?

Caught in a maze of deception, the journalists begin to fear the story may be bigger—and more dangerous—than they ever imagined.

AKL CHC WLG

30

Thu 26 June | 8.15 PM | The Capitol Fri 27 June | 6.00 PM | Bridgeway Tue 22 July | 8.00 PM | Lumiere Tue 22 July | 8.00 PM | The Roxy

Directed by Doc Edge alumnus Bustnes (Golden Dawn Girls).

LOOT: A Story of Crime and Redemption

Australasia Premiere

Don Millar | 2025 | 87 min | Canada

A nation’s past, stolen and reclaimed.

AKL WLG CHC

Sat 28 June | 3.15 PM | Bridgeway Sat 12 July | 5.00 PM | The Capitol Sat 26 July | 1.15 PM | The Roxy Sat 26 July | 1.15 PM | Lumiere

From remote Cambodian villages to elite art institutions in New York, this is a daring look into the underbelly of the multi-billion-dollar art market and the deadly reality behind "blood antiquities" filling Western museums today. Orchestrating a lucrative criminal network during the Cambodian Civil War, British "adventurer-scholar" Douglas Latchford led a team in the looting of thousand-year-old temples buried in landmine-riddled jungles.

The film features unprecedented access, including to "Blue Tiger," a child-soldierturned-looter now working to bring artifacts home, and to the international investigators who led to Latchford's indictment. It also takes viewers behind-the-scenes as stolen pieces are returned to Cambodia, some arriving from New York's Met Museum in July 2024.

Mr Nobody Against Putin David Borenstein, Pavel Talankin | 2025 | 90 min | Denmark, Czech Republic

New Zealand Premiere

From nobody to somebody.

Pasha Talankin is an unlikely hero, a beloved Russian primary school teacher, known as a mentor and prankster who offers students a safe haven in his office. But when Russia invades Ukraine, his role shifts dramatically.

Forced to spread Kremlin propaganda, Pasha secretly begins filming the regime’s grip on everyday life, militarised youth groups, rising nationalism, and the recruitment of students for war. As his conscience deepens and the risk grows, he becomes an international whistleblower, planning a daring escape. Codirected with David Borenstein, this gripping and emotional film reveals the human cost of Putin’s regime, and the courage it takes to resist it.

AKL WLG CHC

Sat 28 June | 11.00 AM | The Capitol Thu 03 July | 8.00 PM | Bridgeway Thu 24 July | 8.30 PM | The Roxy Thu 24 July | 8.15 PM | Lumiere

31

Never Get Busted!

David Anthony Ngo, Stephen McCallum | 2025 | 105 min | US, Australia, Philippines

International Premiere

The fine line between good and bad.

Barry Cooper is an expert at hiding drugs, evading police, and raising hell. But once upon a time he was a highly decorated Texas Narcotics Officer.

After a raid goes wrong, destroying a family not unlike his own, Barry's conscious gets the better of him and he quits the force. Using stolen police tapes, he creates a DVD series teaching drug users how to hide their stash and becomes an instant media sensation.

This is the story of one man’s fight to turn the tide on the War on Drugs, if he doesn’t get busted in the process.

AKL CHC WLG

32

Sun 29 June | 8.15 PM | The Capitol Sun 06 July | 8.15 PM | Bridgeway Sat 19 July | 7.45 PM | Lumiere Fri 25 July | 4.30 PM | The Roxy

33

FACING THE EDGE

These are stories from the brink where individuals and communities confront trauma, conflict, loss, and transformation. Whether rebuilding after war, standing up for democracy, surviving personal tragedy, or challenging deep-rooted injustice, the films in Facing the Edge are raw, urgent, and deeply human. They remind us that even in the darkest moments, resilience, hope, and change are possible.

Carrousel

World Premiere

Pascal Messaoudi | 2025 | 82 min | France

Paradise and pollution, side by side.

In one of the most polluted regions of France, a small industrial town by the Mediterranean Sea lives in striking contrast, where smokestacks loom and super tankers drift by, yet people swim, dance, and savour life.

Amid the haze of factories and the hum of semi-trailers, a resilient community clings to joy and routine. At the edge of the freeway, Natalie’s food truck has stood for thirty years, serving as a symbol of perseverance and humanity. This visually rich, emotionally resonant film captures the paradox of living between industrial ruin and natural beauty, where survival means choosing not to look right at the smoke, but left, towards the sea.

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34

Tue 01 July | 6.00 PM | Bridgeway Sun 06 July | 7.30 PM | The Capitol Sat 19 July | 11.00 AM | The Roxy Sat 19 July | 3.45 PM | Lumiere

Supported by

In Waves and War

International Premiere

Jon Shenk, Bonni Cohen | 2024 | 108 min | USA

From PTSD to possibility with psychedelics.

After years of combat, highly decorated Navy SEAL Marcus Capone returns home broken, battling treatment-resistant PTSD, brain trauma, and depression. With traditional therapies failing, his wife Amber turns to a last hope: an unapproved psychedelic treatment showing extraordinary promise. Marcus’ recovery is nothing short of miraculous, sparking a new mission for the couple, saving fellow veterans from the same fate. Blending intimate storytelling, stunning animation, and cutting-edge science from Stanford’s Brain Stimulation Lab, this powerful film follows three American heroes on a deeply emotional journey to heal the invisible wounds of war, and reclaim life, love, and purpose.

AKL WLG CHC

Fri 04 July | 6.15 PM | The Capitol Sun 13 July | 12.00 PM | Bridgeway Sat 26 July | 7.30 PM | The Roxy Sat 26 July | 7.30 PM | Lumiere

Directed by Doc Edge alumni Shenk and Cohen (The Island President).

Dedicated to Executive Producer Diane Weyermann, Doc Edge Superhero (1955 – 2021).

The Lions by the River Tigris Zaradasht Ahmed | 2025 | 91 min | Norway

Asia Pacific Premiere

You can’t bomb away a city’s soul.

In the heart of Mosul, a city scarred by war, three men fight to revive its spirit: Bashar rebuilds his family’s shattered home, Fakhri salvages historical artifacts to preserve a fading past, Fadel, once silenced by ISIS, now uses music to awaken hope in a new generation. As women reclaim public spaces and art returns to the streets, a powerful cultural revival takes root. Against the backdrop of destruction, this moving story captures the resilience of a city and its people, determined not just to survive, but to restore an identity shaped by 8,000 years of history and human spirit.

AKL WLG CHC

Fri 27 June | 6.15 PM | The Capitol Tue 08 July | 8.15 PM | Bridgeway Thu 24 July | 6.15 PM | The Roxy Thu 24 July | 6.15 PM | Lumiere

35

Marriage Cops Shashwati Talukdar, Cheryl Hess | 2025 | 80 min | India, USA

Australasia Premiere

Law, order... and a little love advice.

In a bustling police station in Dehradun, two remarkable officers, tough, tactical Sandhya and empathetic, firm Krishna, are not chasing criminals; they are rescuing marriages. Inside the Women’s Helpline, desperate couples arrive with broken hearts, clashing values, and relationships on the brink. From infidelity and abandonment to generational tensions, no issue is too messy for these frontline peacekeepers. With limited resources, emotional chaos, and mounting pressure, this unlikely team mediates love’s most painful battles, all within the cramped walls of a police station. Equal parts heartfelt and humorous, the film reveals that sometimes, saving a relationship takes as much grit as solving a crime.

AKL WLG CHC

Sun 29 June | 1.15 PM | The Capitol Thu 10 July | 6.00 PM | Bridgeway Sat 19 July | 6.00 PM | The Roxy Fri 25 July | 6.15 PM | Lumiere

Night is Not Eternal Nanfu Wang | 2024 | 94 min | USA

*Screening with A Good Question 20 min

Australasia Premiere

Even in the darkest night, hope remains.

AKL CHC WLG

36

Over seven years, Doc Edge alumna Wang (I Am Another You) follows Cuban activist Rosa María Payá as she challenges an oppressive regime and fights for democratic reform in Cuba. Woven into Rosa’s courageous journey are Wang’s own reflections on growing up in authoritarian China and her unease with democratic backsliding in the US. The result is a powerful, deeply personal exploration of the universal longing for freedom, the cost of dissent, and the urgent need to defend democracy wherever it is threatened. Intimate and thought-provoking, the film is a bold reminder that the fight for liberty knows no borders and requires constant vigilance.

Sat 28 June | 5.15 PM | Bridgeway Thu 03 July | 6.15 PM | The Capitol Sun 20 July | 7.30 PM | Lumiere Mon 21 July | 4.30 PM | The Roxy

Remaining Native Paige Bethmann | 2025 | 88 min | USA

New Zealand Premiere

You can’t outrun history, but you can run with it.

On the Yerington Paiute Reservation in Nevada, high school track star Ku dreams of being recruited by the University of Oregon.

With his father, Delmar, as coach, and his mother, Misty, by his side, Ku is determined to make it. As he trains for his final qualifying race, buried emotions of anger and grief linked to his family’s past surface. Ku’s rites of passage intertwine with the story of his greatgrandfather, who escaped an Indian boarding school by running 50 miles. In a powerful act of remembrance, Ku leads his community in a 50-mile race, confronting history while racing toward his future.

AKL CHC WLG

Mon 30 June | 6.00 PM | Bridgeway Fri 11 July | 6.15 PM | The Capitol Fri 18 July | 6.15 PM | Lumiere Sun 20 July | 7.45 PM | The Roxy

Separated Errol Morris | 2024 | 93 min | USA, Mexico

New Zealand Premiere

The American dream no more.

Oscar®-winning filmmaker Errol Morris confronts one of the darkest chapters in recent American history: family separations.

Based on NBC News Political and National Correspondent Jacob Soboroff’s book, Separated: Inside an American Tragedy, Morris merges bombshell interviews with government officials and artful narrative vignettes tracing one migrant family’s plight.

Together they show that the cruelty at the heart of this policy was its very purpose.

Against this backdrop, with hundreds of families still separated years later, audiences can begin to absorb the US government’s role in this unthinkable horror and be warned that we are on the verge of allowing it to happen again.

AKL WLG CHC

Fri 04 July | 8.15 PM | The Capitol Sat 12 July | 1.15 PM | Bridgeway Fri 25 July | 8.30 PM | The Roxy Fri 25 July | 8.30 PM | Lumiere

Dedicated to Executive Producer Diane Weyermann, Doc Edge Superhero (1955 – 2021).

37

Shayni in the Sky Gabriel Garton | 2025 | 80 min | New Zealand, Norway

World Premiere

From grief to the skies, this wahine rises.

Shayni Couch is a free-spirited New Zealand native and skydiver whose life is suddenly torn apart when her husband, Micah, a charismatic American-born professional BASE jumper, tragically dies while jumping in Norway.

Pregnant with their first child, Micah’s death leaves Shayni devastated. As part of her healing process, she returns to Norway and retraces the steps of the jump that took her husband's life.

Filmed with intimate vérité and cinematic visuals, this powerful film is a moving tribute to a woman’s strength, a mother’s heart, and the unbreakable spirit that connects us.

AKL WLG CHC

38

Sat 12 July | 5.30 PM | Bridgeway Sun 13 July | 5.30 PM | The Capitol Fri 18 July | 6.15 PM | The Roxy Sat 19 July | 3.30 PM | Lumiere

Congratulations Doc Edge on 20 years of impactful storytelling.

N E V E R LO O K AWAY Dir. Lucy Lawless GFC Films Image: Marc Weakley

39

Auckland 25 June - 13 July The Capitol Cinema

DATE

SCHEDULE 6.15pm Ai Weiwei's Turandot

p17

WED 25 JUN

8.00pm No Tears on the Field

p17

THU 26 JUN

6.15pm Chaplin: Spirit of the Tramp

8.15pm The Gardener, the Buddhist & the Spy

p35

8.15pm Made in Ethiopia

p12

FRI 27 JUN

6.15pm The Lions by the River Tigris

p30

3.15pm Before the Moon Falls

p10

5.45pm Devils on Horses

p29

8.15pm Three Days in February

p20

3.45pm Facing War

p30

6.00pm Chinatown Cha-Cha

p18

8.15pm Never Get Busted!

p32

p54

MON 30 JUN

6.15pm Mighty Indeed

8.30pm Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea

p55

8.30pm The Dancer

p18

TUE 1 JUL

6.15pm Numakage Public Pool

p12

6.15pm OCEANIA: Journey to the Center

8.15pm Child of Dust

p23

WED 2 JUL

p36

8.15pm Blame

p28

THU 3 JUL

6.15pm Night is Not Eternal

p35

8.15pm Separated

p37

FRI 4 JUL

6.15pm In Waves and War p13

5.45pm Wildboy

p26

8.15pm Front Row

p19

p16

5.00pm The Promise

p13

7.30pm Carrousel

p34

SAT 28 JUN

SUN 29 JUN

SAT 5 JUL

SUN 6 JUL

40

11.00am Mr Nobody Against Putin 11.00am Shorts 6

11.00am Shorts 1

p31

p25

1.00pm Shorts 3

1.15pm Marriage Cops

p36

1.15pm Folktales

p11

3.30pm YUMI: The Whole World

1.00pm A Sisters' Tale

p23

3.00pm A Letter to David

p53

Auckland 25 June - 13 July The Capitol Cinema

DATE

SCHEDULE

MON 7 JUL

TUE 8 JUL

6.15pm Shorts 2

8.30pm How to Build a Library

p11

6.15pm Shorts 5

8.15pm The Dating Game

p24

8.15pm Ms President

p25

8.15pm A Quiet Love

p22

6.15pm Yurlu | Country

WED 9 JUL

p14

6.15pm Shorts 4

THU 10 JUL

FRI 11 JUL p55

SAT 12 JUL

11.00am Os Barcos

p56

SUN 13 JUL

11.00am The Pool

Film Categories

1.00pm Vivien's Wild Ride

1.00pm Mana Moana Mana Tangata

6.15pm Remaining Native

p37

8.15pm Fatal Watch

p52

p29

p26

3.00pm The Last Dive

p53

5.00pm LOOT: A Story of Crime and Redemption

p31

7.30pm Click the Link Below

p54

3.30pm Full Support

p24

5.30pm Shayni in the Sky

p38

8.00pm Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror

The Edge of Impact

In Truth We Trust

The Art of Storytelling

Facing The Edge

Being Oneself

Tides of Change

p19

Shorts

41

Auckland 25 June - 13 July Bridgeway Cinema

DATE

SCHEDULE 6.00pm Devils on Horses

p29

8.15pm Three Days in February

p20

WED 25 JUN

p11

8.15pm Made in Ethiopia

p12

THU 26 JUN

6.00pm How to Build a Library 6.00pm The Gardener, the Buddhist & the Spy

p30

8.00pm No Tears on the Field

p25

FRI 27 JUN 11.00am Chaplin: Spirit of the Tramp

p17

1.00pm Folktales

p11

3.15pm LOOT: A Story of Crime and Redemption

p31

5.15pm Night is Not Eternal

p36

7.30pm Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror

11.00am Ms President

p25

1.00pm Full Support

p24

3.00pm A letter to David

p16

5.30pm The Last Dive

p53

7.45pm The Dating Game

p24

6.00pm Remaining Native

p37

8.15pm Front Row

p19

6.00pm Carrousel

p34

8.15pm The Promise

p13

6.00pm The Pool

p56

8.30pm Os Barcos

p55

WED 2 JUL

p23

8.00pm Mr Nobody Against Putin

p31

THU 3 JUL

6.00pm A Sisters' Tale

p22

FRI 4 JUL

6.00pm A Quiet Love

8.30pm Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea

5.45pm Fatal Watch

p52

8.30pm Viviens Wild Ride

p26

6.00pm The Dancer

p18

8.15pm Never Get Busted!

p32

SAT 28 JUN

SUN 29 JUN

MON 30 JUN

TUE 1 JUL

SAT 5 JUL

SUN 6 JUL

42

11.00am Shorts 2

1.15pm Shorts 3

11.00am Shorts 5

1.15pm Child of Dust

3.30pm Shorts 4

p23

3.45pm Yurlu | Country

p14

p19

p53

Auckland 25 June - 13 July Bridgeway Cinema

DATE

SCHEDULE

MON 7 JUL

TUE 8 JUL

6.00pm Shorts 1

8.00pm Mighty Indeed

p54

6.00pm Shorts 6

8.15pm The Lions by the River Tigris

p35

p10

8.15pm Wildboy

p26

WED 9 JUL

6.00pm Before the Moon Falls 6.00pm Marriage Cops

p36

8.15pm Facing War

p30

THU 10 JUL

p13

6.00pm YUMI: The Whole World

8.00pm Blame

p28

FRI 11 JUL

p38

8.00pm Chinatown Cha-Cha

p18

p12

7.00pm Mana Moana Mana Tangata

p54

SAT 12 JUL

SUN 13 JUL

11.30am Ai Weiwei's Turandot

p17

1.15pm Separated

12.00pm In Waves and War

p37

3.15pm Numakage Public Pool

p55

5.30pm Shayni in the Sky

p35

2.15pm Click the Link Below

p29

4.45pm OCEANIA: Journey to the Center

43

Christchurch 17 July - 27 July Lumiere Bernhardt

DATE

SCHEDULE 8.15pm Before the Moon Falls

p10

6.15pm Remaining Native

p37

8.15pm Mana Moana Mana Tangata

p54

6.15pm OCEANIA: Journey to the Center

FRI 18 JUL

SAT 19 JUL

SUN 20 JUL

11.00am The Pool

p56

1.00pm A Quiet Love

p22

3.30pm Shayni in the Sky

p38

5.45pm Click the Link Below

p29

8.30pm Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror

11.00am Blame

p28

1.30pm Wildboy

p26

3.45pm Devils on Horses

p29

6.00pm Ai Weiwei's Turnadot

p17

7.45pm Child of Dust

p23

6.15pm Yurlu | Country

p14

8.00pm Three Days in February

p20

8.15pm Vivien's Wild Ride

p26

MON 21 JUL

6.15pm Shorts 5

TUE 22 JUL

44

p12

THU 17 JUL

p19

p25

8.30pm Front Row

p19

WED 23 JUL

6.15pm No Tears on the Field 6.15pm The Lions by the River Tigris

p35

8.15pm Mr Nobody Against Putin

p31

THU 24 JUL

p36

8.30pm Separated

p37

FRI 25 JUL

6.15pm Marriage Cops p18

SAT 26 JUL

11.00am Chinatown Cha-Cha

1.15pm LOOT: A Story of Crime and Redemption

p31

3.15pm How to Build a Library

p11

5.30pm The Dancer

p18

7.30pm In Waves and War

p35

11.00am Chaplin: Spirit of the Tramp

p17

SUN 27 JUL

1.00pm Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea

p53

3.00pm Ms President

p25

5.30pm Os Barcos

p55

7.30pm Fatal Watch

p52

Christchurch 19 July - 27 July Lumiere Bardot

DATE SAT 19 JUL

SUN 20 JUL

SCHEDULE 11.15am Shorts 6

1.30pm Numakage Public Pool

p55

3.45pm Carrousel

p34

5.45pm A Sisters' Tale

11.15am Shorts 3

1.15pm The Promise

p13

3.45pm Full Support

p24

MON 21 JUL

TUE 22 JUL

SAT 26 JUL

SUN 27 JUL

11.30am Made in Ethiopia

p12

p13

1.30pm YUMI: The Whole World

3.30pm The Last Dive

p53

4.00pm The Dating Game

p24

7.45pm Never Get Busted!

p32

5.45pm Shorts 4

7.30pm Night is Not Eternal

p36

6.15pm Shorts 2

8.30pm A Letter to David

p16

6.15pm Shorts 1

8.00pm The Gardener, the Buddhist & the Spy

p30

8.00pm Facing War

p30

5.45pm Folktales

p23

p11

45

Wellington 16 July - 27 July The Roxy 1

DATE

SCHEDULE 6.15pm The Dating Game

p24

8.15pm Mana Moana Mana Tangata

p54

4.30pm Shorts 5

6.15pm OCEANIA: Journey to the Center

p12

8.15pm Click the Link Below

p29

4.30pm Shorts 3

6.15pm Shayni in the Sky

p38

8.00pm Mighty Indeed

p54

WED 16 JUL

THU 17 JUL

FRI 18 JUL

SAT 19 JUL

SUN 20 JUL

11.00am The Pool

p56

1.00pm A Quiet Love

p22

3.30pm Before the Moon Falls

p10

6.15pm Child of Dust

p23

8.30pm Three Days in February

p20

11.00am Blame

p28

1.30pm Ms President

p25

4.00pm Chinatown Cha-Cha

p18

6.00pm Ai Weiwei's Turnandot

p17

7.45pm Remaining Native

p37

6.15pm No Tears on the Field

p25

8.30pm Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror

MON 21 JUL

p26

p14

8.15pm Front Row

p19

p35

6.15pm Yurlu | Country

WED 23 JUL

46

8.30pm Vivien's Wild Ride

6.15pm Shorts 6

TUE 22 JUL

p19

p23

6.15pm The Lions by the River Tigris

8.30pm Mr Nobody Against Putin

p31

THU 24 JUL

4.30pm A Sister's Tale

p32

6.15pm Shorts 4

8.30pm Separated

p37

FRI 25 JUL

4.30pm Never Get Busted! p31

3.15pm How to Build a Library

p11

5.30pm The Dancer

p18

7.30pm In Waves and War

p35

p53

3.00pm Wildboy

p26

5.30pm Os Barcos

p55

7.30pm Fatal Watch

p52

11.00am Devils on Horses

p29

SAT 26 JUL

1.15pm LOOT: A Story of Crime and Redemption

p17

SUN 27 JUL

11.00am Chaplin: Spirit of the Tramp

1.00pm Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea

Wellington 19 June - 27 July The Roxy 2

DATE SAT 19 JUL

SUN 20 JUL

SCHEDULE 11.00am Carrousel

p34

6.00pm Marriage Cops

p36

10.00am Full Support

p24

5.15pm The Promise

p13

p36

6.15pm Shorts 2

8.30pm A Letter to David

p16

MON 21 JUL

4.30pm Night is Not Eternal 4.30pm Numakage Public Pool

p55

6.15pm Shorts 1

8.00pm The Gardener, the Buddhist & the Spy

p30

TUE 22 JUL

SAT 26 JUL

SUN 27 JUL

10.30am Facing War

p30

6.00pm Made in Ethiopia

p12

10.00am Folktales

p11

5.15pm The Last Dive

p53

47

/ˌSEꞮPꞮƏƱˈSƐKSI/

•

adjective

When you’re so smart it’s downright sexy. ie.

“I heard you used Saatchi & Saatchi to create the Doc Edge Festival advertising.

That’s so of you.”

48

24 Jul–9 Aug Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch

Home, Land and Sea

Home, Land and Sea

Featuring New Zealand Dance Company Moss Te Ururangi Patterson

Chrysalis Shaun James Kelly

The Way Alone Stephen Baynes

Supported by

National touring partner

HOME, LAND AND SEA / Choreography Moss Te Ururangi Patterson Music Tane Upjohn-Beatson and Shayne Carter Costume design RNZB with Moss Patterson Set and lighting design Jon Buswell.

CHRYSALIS / Choreography Shaun James Kelly Music Philip Glass Costume design Rory William Docherty Set design Jon Buswell Lighting design Dan Wilson. THE WAY ALONE / Choreography Stephen Baynes Music Pyotr Tchaikovsky Costume design RNZB with Stephen Baynes Set and lighting design Jon Buswell.

49

DOC EDGE INDUSTRY 2025

Transformative Conversations at The Edge Step into a space where boundaries are pushed, perspectives are challenged, and bold ideas take flight. Transformative Conversations at The Edge is where the future of documentary, storytelling, and the media landscape is shaped. This is not just another industry forum—this is a platform for courageous dialogue tackling the issues that matter most today, sparking change and inspiring innovation.

At the heart of these conversations is engagement. We invited thought leaders, filmmakers, journalists, and creative professionals to share their insights and visions, but more importantly, we encourage you to be part of the dialogue. This is a place where audiences and speakers connect in meaningful, interactive discussions, exploring the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for the industry. Together, we’ll explore the impact of new technologies, evolving narratives, and the shifting media environment—all with the goal of moving the conversation forward.

Transformative Conversations at The Edge will push you to question assumptions, challenge norms, and leave with a new perspective in a rapidly changing world. If you're ready to engage in conversations that drive real change and offer new possibilities, this is the forum for you.

Doc Edge Pitch (30 June – 1 July): The Pitch offers filmmakers a premier opportunity to connect with local and international decision-makers. Along with traditional pitching, wayfinding introduces roundtable sessions where decision-makers, filmmakers, and audiences collaborate to provide targeted, actionable feedback. This mentorshipdriven format helps filmmakers refine their projects with advice tied to strategic outcomes and industry constraints.

A Docs-in-Progress session will also be included, offering rough cuts feedback and access to global markets and festivals.

Forum (2 – 3 July): We’ve reimagined the traditional format to create an interactive, immersive Forum featuring keynote talks, in-conversation sessions, and hands-on workshops tackling the industry's biggest challenges and opportunities. Topics include journalism, festival strategies, social media, impact producing, and the rise of the Asian documentary sector. This is a platform for emerging and established storytellers to gather, exchange ideas, and advance their careers. Our mission is to inspire filmmakers and screen practitioners to push boundaries and take risks to go where no one else has before. NZ On Air, NZ Film Commission, and Te Māngai Pāho will join international thought leaders and industry experts.

As an Oscar® qualifying international documentary festival, Doc Edge is acclaimed for its groundbreaking and bold curation of documentary films. In 2024, Doc Edge launched itself as the Asia-Pacific centre for all things documentary. This is an exciting and strategic move providing the world with a gateway to the home of Asia-Pacific documentary filmmakers and content.

Join us at the Doc Edge Industry 2025 held on 30 June to 3 July 2025 at the Grand Millenium in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and be part of the conversation.

Scan to Book Now

50

Market: The Market is a virtual film platform connecting filmmakers in particular Asia-Pacific filmmakers and their projects with potential buyers providing valuable distribution and acquisition opportunities. Registered attendees can access the Market during the Forum If you are a broadcaster, sales agent, distributor or seeking to acquire content, you can explore our library beyond Doc Edge Industry through the year by signing up for access.

Selected NZ Projects

Selected International Projects

A Completed Life – Kylie Cushman, Dan Hartley

24 Strong – Kristian Van der Heyden, Rieneke Van Santen

Alien Nation – A Buried History – Lynda Chanwai Earle, Toby Mills, Peter Lee, Lily Lee

A Journey Never Told – Sharmin Doza, Masrur Rahman Masud

The Fashionable Farmer – Sue Marshall, Rebecca Tansley

Atomic Paradise – Aline Jacques, John Harvey, Sally Aitken

Handsome Savage – Hiona Henare

The Chimney Sweeper – Shingo Ota, Kyoko Takenaka

KAKAIA– The Children of Tiki – Kahu Kaiha, Carrisse Uta’i

Gotipua : Beyond Borders – Chintan Parekh

Our Forgotten Home – Peter Lee, Karen Chang Workman, Megan Blackwell

The Heartbreaker – Nicola Fan, Richard Fowler, Jonathan Duncan, Peter Yam

Ratso Against the Tide – Kent Belcher

JJI Exile Brothers – Kusuma Santapoori, Devansh Mathur

Taupo Amateurs – Ben Howard, Dan Graham

Me, My Mother's Favorite Monkey – Ivonne Kani

The White Thing to Do – Aidee Walker, Gabrielle Blackwood, Cass Avery, Laura Trevalyn

The Moonwalkers - Haig Balian

Docs-In-Progress

The Myth of Monsters – Beatrice Leong, Panuksmi Hardjowirogo, Ineza Rousille, Sean McAllister

Shroud – Cherie Lacey, Peter Simpson, Hee-seung Irene Lee

Nomads of the North – Piplu Khan, Ssam Seonkyu Park, Junjuni Chakma

Sweet as Cuz – Peter Day

Saltwater Detectives – Margee Brown, David Cook

51

TIDES OF CHANGE

Water connects and divides us – it sustains life, shapes cultures, and sparks conflict. This category dives into stories where oceans, rivers, and pools are more than just backdrops – they are central to identity, struggle, and transformation. From Antarctica to Aotearoa, from community pools to contested seas, Tides of Change explores our complex relationship with water and the powerful stories that flow from it.

Fatal Watch Mark Benjamin, Katie Carpenter | 2025 | 88 min | USA

International Premiere

Dead men tell the ocean’s secrets.

Four marine observers vanish at sea under suspicious circumstances, this gripping investigation uncovers why. Travelling from Fiji to Ghana, Spain to the US, this powerful film reveals the dark underbelly of the global tuna trade, where profit outweighs human life and environmental destruction is buried beneath the waves. Through exclusive footage and unprecedented access, a team of international investigators exposes the rampant criminality, cover-ups, and violence tied to industrial overfishing. As the ocean’s silent guardians’ risk everything to document the truth, their stories demand action. This is a high-stakes exposé on the hidden cost of the seafood on our plates.

AKL WLG CHC

52

Sat 05 July | 5.45 PM | Bridgeway Fri 11 July | 8.15 PM | The Capitol Sun 27 July | 7.30 PM | The Roxy Sun 27 July | 7.30 PM | Lumiere

Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea Baby Ruth Villarama | 2025 | 85 min | Philippines

World Premiere

A banned film that must be seen.

Amid rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea, Filipino fishermen, Coast Guard, and Navy personnel risk everything to defend their waters and way of life. Through the harrowing journey of fisherman Arnel Satam, pursued by the China Coast Guard near Scarborough Shoal the film unveils the daily dangers faced at sea. With rare access to frontline officers, it captures their quiet heroism, personal sacrifice, and unwavering duty. At its heart is a remarkable alliance: fishermen and Coast Guard risking their lives together to deliver food and aid. Visually stunning and deeply moving, this is a story of resilience, unity, and the fight for freedom.

AKL WLG CHC

Mon 30 June | 8.30 PM | The Capitol Fri 04 July | 8.30 PM | Bridgeway Sun 27 July | 1.00 PM | The Roxy Sun 27 July | 1.00 PM | Lumiere

The Last Dive Cody Sheehy | 2025 | 88 min | USA

Directed by Doc Edge alumna Villarama (Sunday Beauty Queen).

International Premiere

How far would you go for a friend?

Terry is a legendary figure, American veteran and the first man to ride a giant manta ray.

For two decades, he shared an extraordinary bond with Willy, a two-ton manta who welcomed him into the deep. Now, after a brutal manta massacre, Terry embarks on one final mission to a remote island, hoping to reunite with his lost companion. In the spirit of Grizzly Man, My Octopus Teacher, and The Cove, this film is a gripping, emotional journey into the mysteries of interspecies connection, revealing a majestic creature that may be communicating in ways science has yet to fully understand.

Directed by Doc Edge alumnus Sheehy (Make People Better).

AKL CHC WLG

Sun 29 June | 5.30 PM | Bridgeway Sat 12 July | 3.00 PM | The Capitol Sat 26 July | 3.30 PM | Lumiere Sun 27 July | 5.15 PM | The Roxy

53

Mana Moana Mana Tangata Julian Arahanga, Toby Mills | 2025 | 90 min | New Zealand

World Premiere

From the bounty of the sea, we sustain our future generations.

A gripping film chronicling Māori in a defiant struggle against systemic racism and colonial injustice to reclaim their fishing rights.

Through resilience and legal strategy, they secured their place in the industry, marking a landmark victory for Indigenous sovereignty.

Thirty years later, the fight for equity and environmental stewardship continues.

A universal story of justice and perseverance, the film captures both triumph and ongoing struggle, revealing how Indigenous communities worldwide navigate power, reclaim their culture, and resist colonisation.

AKL WLG CHC

Sun 13 July | 1.00 PM | The Capitol Sun 13 July | 7.00 PM | Bridgeway Wed 16 July | 8.15 PM | The Roxy Fri 18 July | 8.15 PM | Lumiere

Mighty Indeed Vanessa Wells | 2025 | 87 min | New Zealand

Directed by Arahanga and Doc Edge Alumnus Mills (Black Grace – From Cannon’s Creek to Jacob’s Pillow).

World Premiere

Three women. Four decades.

One melting continent.

AKL CHC WLG

54

In one of the harshest places on Earth, three women from different generations chase a hidden and ephemeral world beneath the Antarctic sea ice. Dr Natalie Robinson leads a world-first expedition to McMurdo Sound, joined by microbiologist Jacqui Stuart on her first trip south. Mentoring them from afar is veteran sea ice physicist Professor Pat Langhorne. Battling brutal weather and isolation, the team discovers extraordinary tiny creatures within the delicate structures of the ice. Weaving personal stories with rich archival footage and groundbreaking science, this is an intimate and deeply human portrait set against the immense scale of Antarctica, shared with grit, wit, and surprising warmth.

Mon 30 June | 6.15 PM | The Capitol Mon 07 July | 8.00 PM | Bridgeway Wed 16 July | 7.00 PM | Hoyts EntX Fri 18 July | 8.00 PM | The Roxy

Numakage Public Pool

International Premiere

Shingo Ota | 2025 | 84 min | Japan

A pool’s demolition plunges a community into shared grief.

For over five decades, a beloved Tokyo suburban pool affectionately called “the ocean” offered health, joy, and belonging to elderly swimmers, families, and the local gay community. But when urban development forces its demolition, a wave of grief sweeps through those who called it home. Through powerful, intimate moments, this deeply human story explores loss not tied to death, but to place, memory, and identity. Guided by the five stages of grief, director Ota invites us to reflect on what it means to say goodbye not just to a building, but to a vital space of connection, healing, and shared life.

AKL WLG CHC

Tue 01 July | 6.15 PM | The Capitol Sat 12 July | 3.15 PM | Bridgeway Tue 22 July | 4.30 PM | The Roxy Sat 19 July | 1.30 PM | Lumiere

Os Barcos

World Premiere

Vincent Boujon | 2025 | 86 min | France

Where tourists dine, residents grind.

In a Brazilian favela, perched above Salvador Bay, Mônica’s open-air restaurant has become a viral hotspot. Young people from the community bring influencers and tourists to its terrace, hoping to share in the buzz.

On the flip side of this postcard, residents are trying to take advantage of this tourist bonanza to survive. People break their backs carrying crates down steep stairs, fish under the blazing sun, and cook for guests while wealthy neighbours in nearby upscale homes lounge on deckchairs, casting disapproving glances at Gamboa’s growing presence. As the community prepares for a historic Iemanjá festival, Gamboa’s fight for dignity, pride, and survival takes centre stage.

AKL WLG CHC

Wed 02 July | 8.30 PM | Bridgeway Sat 12 July | 11.00 AM | The Capitol Sun 27 July | 5.30 PM | The Roxy Sun 27 July | 5.30 PM | Lumiere

*Screening with The Sardine Roaster 15 min

Supported by

55

The Pool Ian Darling | 2024 | 95 min | Australia

International Premiere

Dive in. Everyone’s equal in the water.

Bondi Icebergs is the most photographed pool in the world. This is where generations of children have learnt to swim, where the diehard have braved the frigid waters of one hundred winters, where the young and beautiful have come to bond and bake in the hot sun.

The film is a stunning cinematic experience with a soundtrack that harks back to the 1960s and a cast of characters who each have a story to tell. It speaks to the enduring power of community and our collective longing to find it.

No matter your background or where you are at – everyone is equal in their swimsuits.

AKL WLG CHC

56

Wed 02 July | 6.00 PM | Bridgeway Sun 13 July | 11.00 AM | The Capitol Sat 19 July | 11.00 AM | The Roxy Sat 19 July | 11.00 AM | Lumiere

For more than 10 years, we have been privileged to support New Zealand’s talented documentary filmmakers.

As Doc Edge celebrates two decades of telling groundbreaking stories, we stand beside them in honouring incredible work that continues to inspire and inform.

19 Newton Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland, New Zealand | producers@departmentofpost.com

57

NEW ZEALAND SHORT FILMS

Homegrown voices, big impact.

A showcase of bold, brilliant storytelling from Aotearoa’s finest short film talent.

Feel it from My Words JRG Lacey | 2025 | 20 min | New Zealand World Premiere

Fleeing persecution and death threats, musician Mushtaq Hussain is thrust into the perilous world of human smuggling. Through a raw and personal interview, he recounts his journey with unflinching honesty, inviting audiences to feel every moment of fear, resilience and survival.

AKL

Sat 05 July | 11.00 AM | The Capitol Mon 07 July | 6.00 PM | Bridgeway WLG Tue 22 July | 6.15 PM | The Roxy CHC Tue 22 July | 6.15 PM | Lumiere

*Screening with Shorts 1: Alofa 27 min MĀHŪ: A Trans-Pacific Love Letter 30 min

Home Emma Duncan, Ashlee Stevens | 2025 | 24 min | New Zealand World Premiere

Priced out of Wellington’s rental market, Teiti, a Mana Wahine, reclaims her autonomy by living on public land. Embracing Mana Motuhake and art activism, she finds connection to her Tupuna and a deeper sense of home under the stars.

AKL

Sun 29 June | 11.00 AM | The Capitol Tue 08 July | 6.00 PM | Bridgeway CHC Sat 19 July | 11.15 AM | Lumiere WLG Tue 22 July | 6.15 PM | The Roxy

58

*Screening with Shorts 6: Onwards 25 min Hou Rongo: Reviving Moriori Culture 20 min Ko Tātou Te Wai: We are the Water 18 min

Hou Rongo: Reviving Moriori Culture Brady Clarke, | 2025 | 20 min | New Zealand World Premiere

AKL

Sun 29 June | 11.00 AM | The Capitol Tue 08 July | 6.00 PM | Bridgeway CHC Sat 19 July | 11.15 AM | Lumiere WLG Tue 22 July | 6.15 PM | The Roxy

Long buried under myth and misinformation, the story of the Moriori people of Aotearoa New Zealand is finally set straight. With rare access to Rēkohu, this powerful short captures a resilient community reclaiming identity and reviving a culture nearly lost to history. *Screening with Shorts 6: Onwards 25 min Home 24 min Ko Tātou Te Wai: We are the Water 18 min

I Know I’m Going to Paint Oliver Dawe | 2025 | 18 min | New Zealand World Premiere

Inside his studio, painter Philip Trusttum creates a bold, large-scale work using house paint. As he works with speed and precision, he shares stories, reflects on his artistic journey, and reveals what fuels his lifelong passion for making art.

AKL

Sat 05 July | 11.00 AM | Bridgeway Mon 07 July | 6.15 PM | The Capitol WLG Mon 21 July | 6.15 PM | The Roxy CHC Mon 21 July | 6.15 PM | Lumiere

*Screening with Shorts 2: Correct Me if I’m Wrong 23 min Two Travelling Aunties 22 min Little Potato 25 min

Ko Tātou Te Wai: We are the Water Stephanie Guest | 2025 | 18 min | New Zealand World Premiere

This is not the story of one, but of many. In Aotearoa’s North Island, the Māori community of Tautoro turns to sacred springs for healing—waters now under threat from climate change. As the land shifts, so too does their future, urging us all to act.

AKL

Sun 29 June | 11.00 AM | The Capitol Tue 08 July | 6.00 PM | Bridgeway CHC Sat 19 July | 11.15 AM | Lumiere WLG Tue 22 July | 6.15 PM | The Roxy

Directed by Doc Edge alumna Guest (Looking Up). *Screening with Shorts 6: Onwards 25 min Home 24 min Hou Rongo: Reviving Moirori Culture 20 min

59

Little Potato Chen Chen | 2025 | 25 min | New Zealand, China International Premiere

An intimate portrait of Shou Ai Xia, a former Communist Party cadre now living with dementia.

Filmed by her granddaughter, the film explores fading memory, revolutionary legacy, and the delicate line between personal history, cultural identity, and emotional truth.

AKL

Sat 05 July | 11.00 AM | Bridgeway Mon 07 July | 6.15 PM | The Capitol WLG Mon 21 July | 6.15 PM | The Roxy CHC Mon 21 July | 6.15 PM | Lumiere

*Screening with Shorts 2: I Know I’m Going to Paint 18 min Correct Me if I’m Wrong 23 min Two Travelling Aunties 22 min

Nothing is Impossible: The Primanavia Story Caleb Young | 2025 | 15 min | New Zealand, Fiji World Premiere

With just six weeks to prepare, Fijian choir Primanavia faces immense odds at the World Choir Games. Through intense training and personal sacrifice, they pursue a dream—unfolding a moving story of resilience, unity, and the transformative power of music.

AKL

Wed 25 June | 8.15 PM | Bridgeway Sat 28 June | 8.15 PM | The Capitol WLG Sat 19 July | 8.30 PM | The Roxy CHC Mon 21 July | 8.00 PM | Lumiere

*Screening with Three Days in February 74 min

Old Men Build a Bridge Ian Miller | 2025 | 16 min | New Zealand World Premiere

A group of retired volunteers gathers at Auckland’s Shakespear Park to hand-build a bridge—one plank at a time. Set against the backdrop of a stunning pest-free sanctuary, this uplifting short film celebrates community spirit, craftsmanship, and the quiet joy of purposeful work in later life.

AKL

Sat 05 July | 3.30 PM | Bridgeway Thu 10 July | 6.15 PM | The Capitol CHC Sun 20 July | 5.45 PM | Lumiere WLG Fri 25 July | 6.15 PM | The Roxy

60

*Screening with Shorts 4: They Call Me the Tattoo Witch 14 min Pōneke Classical Sessions 18 min What Does the Mud Whisper 18 min Mother of Chooks 19 min

Onwards Ben Wallbank | 2025 | 25 min | New Zealand World Premiere

Weeks after finishing 5th in a 100-mile ultramarathon, Helene is diagnosed with aggressive tongue cancer.

This raw, intimate film follows her fight to reclaim voice and identity, revealing extraordinary strength, vulnerability, and resilience in a new, life-altering endurance challenge.

AKL

Sun 29 June | 6.00 PM | Bridgeway Tue 08 July | 11.00 AM | The Capitol CHC Sat 19 July | 11.15 AM | Lumiere WLG Tue 22 July | 6.15 PM | The Roxy

*Screening with Shorts 6: Home 24 min Hou Rongo: Reviving Moirori Culture 20 min Ko Tātou Te Wai: We Are the Water 18 min

Pōneke Classical Sessions Sebastian Kerebs | 2025 | 18 min | New Zealand World Premiere

In Pōneke Wellington, musicians challenge classical music’s colonial roots and elitist traditions, creating space for innovation, diversity, and self-expression.

Blending electrifying live performances with candid interviews, this film redefines what it means to belong in the classical music world.

AKL

Sat 05 July | 3.30 PM | Bridgeway Thu 10 July | 6.15 PM | The Capitol CHC Sun 20 July | 5.45 PM | Lumiere WLG Fri 25 July | 6.15 PM | The Roxy

*Screening with Shorts 4: They Call Me the Tattoo Witch 14 min What Does the Mud Whisper 18 min Mother of Chooks 19 min Old Men Build a Bridge 16 min

Through a Glass, Lightly Derrick Sims | 2024 | 9 min | New Zealand Brian Scadden, once one of only eight wet-plate photographers worldwide, helped revive a nearly lost art. 175 years after its invention, he continues the craft—sharing his passion, process, and belief in permanence in an increasingly fleeting world. *Screening with Front Row 76 min

AKL

Mon 30 June | 8.15 PM | Bridgeway Sat 05 July | 8.15 PM | The Capitol WLG Wed 23 July | 8.15 PM | The Roxy CHC Wed 23 July | 8.30 PM | Lumiere

61

INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILMS

Global stories in small packages.

Powerful, diverse snapshots of life from around the world – short, sharp, unforgettable.

A Good Question Sara Saini | 2025 | 20 min | UK World Premiere

Across Punjab’s rooftops, sculpted water tanks— planes, tractors, animals—stand as bold symbols of migration and diasporic dreams. Through sculptor Davinder’s hands and hopes of emigration, this film explores the deep emotional, social, and political imprint migration has left on the region. *Screening with Marriage Cops 80 min AKL

Sun 29 June | 1.15 PM | The Capitol Thu 10 July | 6.00 PM | Bridgeway WLG Sat 19 July | 6.00 PM | The Roxy CHC Fri 25 July | 6.15 PM | Lumiere

Alofa Rachel Lane | 2025 | 27 min | Australia World Premiere

The film follows former pastor Andre Afamasaga as he courageously navigates the intersection of faith, culture, and sexuality, confronting the personal and societal challenges of reconciling his identity within deeply traditional Samoan beliefs.

AKL

Sat 05 July | 11.00 AM | The Capitol Mon 07 July | 6.00 PM | Bridgeway WLG Tue 22 July | 6.15 PM | The Roxy CHC Tue 22 July | 6.15 PM | Lumiere

*Screening with Shorts 1: Feel it from My Words 20 min MĀHŪ: A Trans-Pacific Love Letter 30 min

Correct Me if I’m Wrong Hao Zhou | 2025 | 23 min | Germany, USA Asia Pacific Premiere

In a struggle of love, legacy, and belief, a southwest Chinese family tries to purge an unwanted entity from their queer heir. *Screening with Shorts 2: I Know I’m Going to Paint 18 min Two Travelling Aunties 22 min Little Potato 25 min AKL

Sat 05 July | 11.00 AM | Bridgeway Mon 07 July | 6.15 PM | The Capitol WLG Mon 21 July | 6.15 PM | The Roxy CHC Mon 21 July | 6.15 PM | Lumiere

The Honest Poet

63

Jordan Bryon | 2025 | 30 min | Afghanistan International Premiere

Through the eyes of 11-year-old Raheem, the film reveals a rarely seen Afghanistan - Taliban-controlled, yet peppered with beauty, resilience, and poetry.

As he journeys across his homeland, meeting people, he discovers that hope itself can be a quiet act of resistance.

AKL

Sat 28 June | 1.00 PM | The Capitol Sat 05 July | 1.15 PM | Bridgeway WLG Fri 18 July | 4.30 PM | The Roxy CHC Sun 20 July | 11.15 AM | Lumiere

*Screening with Shorts 3: Who Loves the Sun 20 min Voices From the Abyss 23 min Shepherd Boy 18 min

MĀHŪ: A Trans-Pacific Love Letter Lisette Marie Flanary | 2025 | 30 min | USA International Premiere

Native Hawaiian transgender artists as they prepare a stage performance in Honolulu, exploring the cultural legacy, identity, and resilience behind the revered and complex term māhū.

Directed by Doc Edge alumna Flanary (Tokyo Hula).

AKL

Sat 05 July | 11.00 AM | The Capitol Mon 07 July | 6.00 PM | Bridgeway WLG Tue 22 July | 6.15 PM | The Roxy CHC Tue 22 July | 6.15 PM | Lumiere

*Screening with Shorts 1: Feel it from My Words 20 min Alofa 27 min

63

Mother of Chooks Jesse Samos Leaman, Maite Martin Samos | 2025 | 19 min | Australia New Zealand Premiere

After losing her sister, Elaine discovers a surprising new companion in a chicken named Flapper. Now, with a flock of chooks and a mission to change how people see them, she’s become a local legend, The Mother of Chooks.

AKL

Sat 05 July | 3.30 PM | Bridgeway Thu 10 July | 6.15 PM | The Capitol CHC Sun 20 July | 5.45 PM | Lumiere WLG Fri 25 July | 6.15 PM | The Roxy

*Screening with Shorts 4: They Call Me the Tattoo Witch 14 min Pōneke Classical Sessions 18 min What Does the Mud Whisper 18 min Old Men Build a Bridge 16 min

On Healing Land, Birds Perch Naja Phạm Lockwood | 2025 | 33 min | USA, Vietnam Asia Pacific Premiere

AKL

Sun 06 July | 11.00 AM | Bridgeway Tue 08 July | 6.15 PM | The Capitol WLG Thu 17 July | 4.30 PM | The Roxy CHC Tue 22 July | 6.15 PM | Lumiere

Told through an iconic Vietnam War photo, this powerful film shares first-ever interviews with those directly connected to its subjects. Exploring inherited trauma, family secrets, and reconciliation, it offers a rare, empathetic look at healing across generations and borders. *Screening with Shorts 5: Where is Home? 39 min Sandcastles 17 min

Pee Shy Steven Brokaw Jackson | 2025 | 19 min | USA World Premiere

After a lifetime of struggling with a shy bladder, Steven sets out to understand and overcome his phobia while documenting the journey. From awkward talks to expert advice and a hidden global community, he discovers unexpected insight, connection, and… relief. *Screening with Full Support 68 min AKL WLG CHC

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Sun 29 June | 1.00 PM | Bridgeway Sun 13 July | 3.30 PM | The Capitol Sun 20 July | 11.15 AM | The Roxy Sun 20 July | 3.45 PM | Lumiere

Qotzuñi: People of the Lake Gastón Zilberman, Michael Salama | 2024 | 13 min | Argentina, Bolivia Asia Pacific Premiere

AKL

Wed 02 July | 6.15 PM | The Capitol Sun 13 July | 4.45 PM | Bridgeway CHC Thu 17 July | 6.15 PM | Lumiere WLG Thu 17 July | 6.15 PM | The Roxy

The Uru communities of Lake Poopó, Bolivia, have identified as Qotzuñis for centuries. Now, they struggle with what it means to continue being “people of the lake” after the lake ceases to exist due to climate change and industrial mining. *Screening with OCEANIA: Journey to the Center 75 min

Sandcastles Carin Jin-Yi Leong | 2024 | 17 min | USA, Singapore Australasia Premiere

Two Singapores, one buried under sand in Michigan, the other built from it in Southeast Asia. They mirror each other in this striking meditation on land, memory, and impermanence. Through voices of locals, developers, and activists, the film explores humanity’s shifting relationship with sand.

AKL

Sun 06 July | 11.00 AM | Bridgeway Tue 08 July | 6.15 PM | The Capitol WLG Thu 17 July | 4.30 PM | The Roxy CHC Tue 22 July | 6.15 PM | Lumiere

*Screening with Shorts 5: On Healing Land, Birds Perch 33 min Where is Home? 39 min

The Sardine Roaster Adrián Ordóñez | 2024 | 15 min | Spain Australasia Premiere

Manuel Galindo, shaped by sand, sea, fire, and air, is one of the last traditional sardine roasters. Born on the beaches and led to his craft by tragedy, his flames carry stories of memory, identity, and coastal community. *Screening with Os Barcos 86 min AKL

Wed 02 July | 8.30 PM | Bridgeway Sat 12 July | 11.00 AM | The Capitol WLG Sun 27 July | 5.30 PM | The Roxy CHC Sun 27 July | 5.30 PM | Lumiere

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Shepherd Boy Joao Queiroga | 2025 | 18 min | Portugal, Qatar World Premiere

Alone on the edge of Doha, an abandoned dog navigates the harsh desert, his journey echoing the lives of those cast aside by progress. Through stunning visuals and lyrical storytelling, this haunting tale honours resilience, kinship, and survival in a shifting world.

AKL

Sat 28 June | 1.00 PM | The Capitol Sat 05 July | 1.15 PM | Bridgeway WLG Fri 18 July | 4.30 PM | The Roxy CHC Sun 20 July | 11.15 AM | Lumiere

*Screening with Shorts 3: Who Loves the Sun 20 min Voices From the Abyss 23 min The Honest Poet 30 min

They Call Me the Tattoo Witch Lindsay Nyman | 2024 | 14 min | USA, Vietnam Australasia Premiere

In Hanoi, Vietnam, tattoo artist Tran Ngoc transforms scars into art, challenging taboos in a society where tattoos are often stigmatized.

Through deeply personal stories, this powerful film explores how ink becomes a tool for healing, reclamation, and self-love.

AKL

Sat 05 July | 3.30 PM | Bridgeway Thu 10 July | 6.15 PM | The Capitol CHC Sun 20 July | 5.45 PM | Lumiere WLG Fri 25 July | 6.15 PM | The Roxy

*Screening with Shorts 4: Pōneke Classical Sessions 18 min What Does the Mud Whisper 18 min Mother of Chooks 19 min Old Men Build a Bridge 16 min

Two Travelling Aunties Christine Seow | 2025 | 22 min | UK, Singapore International Premiere

Norah and Susie document their adventurous road trips across continents. Beneath the laughter and wanderlust lies a story of quiet resilience—two women who defied judgement, embraced love, and chose freedom on their own terms.

AKL

Sat 05 July | 11.00 AM | Bridgeway Mon 07 July | 6.15 PM | The Capitol WLG Mon 21 July | 6.15 PM | The Roxy CHC Mon 21 July | 6.15 PM | Lumiere

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*Screening with Shorts 2: I Know I’m Going to Paint 18 min Correct Me if I’m Wrong 23 min Little Potato 25 min

Voices from the Abyss Irving Serrano, Victor Rejón | 2025 | 23 min | Mexico Australasia Premiere

In Acapulco’s La Quebrada, a diverse group of cliff divers—young and old, Afro-Mexican and native— risk their lives daily, plunging 100 feet into the sea.

Through slow-motion dives, personal stories, and poetic reflection, their voices rise from the abyss.

AKL

Sat 28 June | 1.00 PM | The Capitol Sat 05 July | 1.15 PM | Bridgeway WLG Fri 18 July | 4.30 PM | The Roxy CHC Sun 20 July | 11.15 AM | Lumiere

*Screening with Shorts 3: Who Loves the Sun 20 min The Honest Poet 30 min Shepherd Boy 18 min

What Does the Mud Whisper Dea Tcholokava | 2025 | 18 min | Georgia International Premiere

In the heart of Georgia, little Tako sets out to uncover the secret of the region’s legendary healing mud. Blending myth, memory, and imagination, this poetic journey reveals how everyday people create living legends that blur the line between cure and belief.

AKL

Sat 05 July | 3.30 PM | Bridgeway Thu 10 July | 6.15 PM | The Capitol CHC Sun 20 July | 5.45 PM | Lumiere WLG Fri 25 July | 6.15 PM | The Roxy

*Screening with Shorts 4: They Call Me the Tattoo Witch 14 min Pōneke Classical Sessions 18 min Mother of Chooks 19 min

Where is Home?

Lamtiar Simorangkir | 2025 | 39 min | Indonesia World Premiere

A boy who was born and raised behind prison bars, now steps into the free world only to be abandoned by his family and finds that the harsh realities of life on the outside is just another kind of cage that he must navigate alone in uncertainty.

The film was pitched at Doc Edge Industry 2022.

AKL

Sun 06 July | 11.00 AM | Bridgeway Tue 08 July | 6.15 PM | The Capitol WLG Thu 17 July | 4.30 PM | The Roxy CHC Tue 22 July | 6.15 PM | Lumiere

*Screening with Shorts 5: On Healing Land, Birds Perch 33 min Sandcastles 17 min

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Who Loves the Sun Arshia Shakiba | 2024 | 20 min | Canada Australasia Premiere

In war-torn northern Syria, the film delves into the world of makeshift oil refineries and the stark realities of life within this post-apocalyptic landscape. Mahmood is a prominent figure in these operations, navigating harsh working conditions and complex local dynamics.

AKL

Sat 28 June | 1.00 PM | The Capitol Sat 05 July | 1.15 PM | Bridgeway WLG Fri 18 July | 4.30 PM | The Roxy CHC Sun 20 July | 11.15 AM | Lumiere

*Screening with Shorts 3: Voices From the Abyss 23 min The Honest Poet 30 min Shepherd Boy 18 min

Until 24 August Free entry

SHIGA Lieko When that Night Leads (still) 2023–25.

Single-channel video. Courtesy of the artist

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Strategic partner

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DOC EDGE IMMERSIVE EXHIBITION 2025

Imagine & Re-Imagine The Doc Edge Immersive Exhibition is the Asia-Pacific home for digital storytelling and immersive non-fiction.

Part of the Doc Edge Festival, it features 12 premieres that push the boundaries of storytelling inspiring reflection, connection, and change.

Using cutting-edge formats including VR, AR, photography, performance, and interactive installations, the Exhibition challenges perceptions, reconstructs lost narratives, and reimagines our connections to history, identity, and the issues that shape our world.

Presented free to the public in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, the Immersive Exhibition is a dynamic space for discovery and dialogue. It includes artist talks and workshops featuring leaders in XR and immersive media.

The 2025 exhibition is curated into two key categories:

Digital Storytelling

Interactive Non-Fiction

Narratives come alive through VR, AR, MR, animation, and multimedia, offering striking, sensory-driven experiences that reframe real-world issues.

Step inside the story. Through live performance and interactive installations, audiences move beyond observation to form personal, emotional connections with truth-based storytelling.

Glossary

Parental Guidance Advisory

XR = Extended Reality MR = Mixed Reality VR = Virtual Reality AR = Augmented Reality

Any child under age 10 must have a parental guardian.

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FF = Family Friendly PG = Parental Guidance M = Mature

DIGITAL STORYTELLING - NEW ZEALAND

Hikairo ki Tōngariro

World Premiere

Rio Hemopo – Hunuki | 2025 | AR | New Zealand | FF

A powerful augmented reality experience co-created with hapū and iwi talent to spotlight the untold legacy behind the Ka Mate haka. Developed by Koi Digital, Rio Hemopo-Hunuki and Jix, the project blends story, art, and music into a bespoke digital resource. It is both a tribute and a tool honouring Te Wharerangi and carving new pathways for Māori and Pasifika creatives in interactive media.

Pepe: Moth Dances

World Premiere

Daniel Belton | 2025 | MR | New Zealand | FF

A projection-based installation and short film fusing taonga pūoro, contemporary dance, and digital art. Featuring Nancy Wijohn as a solo traveller embodying Hineraukatauri, the work draws on the cocoon-like form of the pūtōrino and the case moth as metaphors for transformation. Silk, breath, and mycelial webs shape a sensory journey through ancestral memory and future vision. The project is a ritual of sound, motion, and spirit, rooted in Te Ao Māori and resonating across time. Featuring taonga pūoro musicians Mahina Kingi-Kaui, Ariana Tikao, Dr Ruby Solly, Alistair Fraser.

Te Rerenga o Muriwai Allana Goldsmith, Shivani Karan | 2025 | VR | New Zealand | FF

World Premiere

Creators Karan and Goldsmith combine their skills in virtual reality and sonic-scape storytelling to reconnect past and present generations. The artwork focuses on Muriwai (ancestress), viewed from the first-person perspective of her descendant, 16-year-old Muriwai Mikaere, daughter of Goldsmith. Muriwai was a powerful wahine of great mana and a renowned voyager across Aotearoa and Te Moananui a Kiwa (Pacific Ocean). Her name and stories are well-known and reach many hapu and iwi through-out Aotearoa.

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DIGITAL STORYTELLING - INTERNATIONAL

The Great Kimberley Wilderness Briege Whitehead | 2024 | VR | Australia | FF

International Premiere

Narrated by Luke Hemsworth, this virtual reality project transports you to one of the most spectacular and pristine landscapes in the world. Guided by the Traditional Owners and science, journey across magical coastlines, and venture into the heart of this ancient landscape unlike anywhere else on Earth. Fly over the edge of the thundering King George Falls, explore the vibrantly striped domes and majestic gorges of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park and travel back over 350 million years to the great Devonian Reef to explore ancient geology, that has been pivotal to life as we know it.

Kapwa Michaela Ternasky-Holland, Aaron Santiago | 2025 | MR | USA | FF

International Premiere

Kapwa (kindred in Tagalog), is an interactive video installation that acts as an interrogation of cultural erasure within our diaspora and traces an outline around what is missing from the history of the global Philippine people. Created by Philippine-American artists and collaborators, Santiago and TernaskyHolland, it foregrounds a sense of loss and disconnect from ancestry by using found media of contemporary Filipinos, all asking in unison: “Who are we?”

Creator Ternasky-Holland is Doc Edge alumna (Reimagined Volume II: Mahal).

Mirror De-Chuen Wu | 2024 | VR | Taiwan | PG

Australasia Premiere

This immersive art installation bridges past and present through Antarctic exploration history. At its centre is a frozen duplicating machine: a vintage 3M 209 Automatic Copier quietly churning out echoes of the past. Inspired by the story of Karl Marshall, a humble technician who answered a service call to the South Pole in 1967, this work unexpectedly connects his journey with the final letter of Captain Robert Falcon Scott. Across three locations audiences are invited to explore the fragility of legacy. Blending sound, historic photography, and interactive storytelling, it invites you not only to witness history— but to enter it. To reflect on what we leave behind.

To shift your own compass. And to leave your mark.

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INTERACTIVE NON-FICTION - NEW ZEALAND

Illuminated Horizons Shane Hollands, Rachael Naomi | 2025 | MR | New Zealand | PG

World Premiere

Step into an immersive installation where words, music, and interactive art converge to create a powerful storytelling experience. This multidisciplinary work blurs the lines between poetry, sound, and visual design, inviting audiences to engage with narratives that challenge perception, evoke emotion, and bring hidden stories to light. Designed as a living, breathing installation, it shifts with each visitor’s engagement, ensuring no two encounters are the same.

Sight Unseen Delainy Jamahl | 2025 | MR | New Zealand | FF

A photographic study of latent space and nonvisible light, reimagining Wellington's cityscape through machine learning (Artificial Intelligence).

The ephemeral moving imagery draws on the artist's original dataset of 2,500 infrared and colour infrared photographs of Wellington. Beyond its architectural aesthetics, it explores the ethics of data ownership and the evolving role of AI in the creative process.

The sound design, created by Michael Hodgson, examines the RGB values in the video imagery to shape the composition of each soundscape.

The Visitors Book Rewa Rendall | 2025 | MR | New Zealand | FF

World Premiere

This immersive art installation bridges past and present through Antarctic exploration history. At its centre is a frozen duplicating machine: a vintage 3M 209 Automatic Copier quietly churning out echoes of the past. Inspired by the story of Karl Marshall, a humble technician who answered a service call to the South Pole in 1967, this work unexpectedly connects his journey with the final letter of Captain Robert Falcon Scott. Across three locations audiences are invited to explore the fragility of legacy. Blending sound, historic photography, and interactive storytelling, it invites you not only to witness history— but to enter it. To reflect on what we leave behind.

To shift your own compass. And to leave your mark.

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IMMERSIVE NON-FICTION - INTERNATIONAL

Impulse: Playing with Reality Barry Gene Murphy, May Abdalla | 2024 | MR | UK, France | M

Asia Pacific Premiere

Narrated by Oscar® winner Tilda Swinton, this is a ground-breaking mixed reality experience that transforms your surroundings. Witness the chaos, creativity, and intensity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it brings together sharp-witted gameplay and dramatic first-hand accounts of people whose intense emotions lead them to a life at the edge. Their stories are brought home through mixed reality. Attempting to follow a train of thought, the stuff in your room sets off a chain reaction leading to all sorts of mayhem.

Shadows on your walls become portals into labyrinthine worlds. Words spiral out into alternative meanings and possibilities.

Mammary Mountain Camille C Baker, Tara Baoth Mooney, Maf'j Alvarez | 2023 | VR | UK, Ireland | M

International Premiere

This is an intimate immersive story exploring disease within the body and its relationship to the broader context of the land through the breast cancer treatment journey. These pressing themes and social realities are explored through the prism of artist Baoth Mooney’s experience of breast cancer, interwoven with other patients' and survivors' stories of their cancer treatment, recovery and trauma.

The experience is performative and unique set in a doctor's surgery.

Turbulence: Jamais Vu Ben Joseph Andrews, Emma Roberts | 2024 | MR | Australia | M

New Zealand Premiere

Close your eyes and think about the space around you. Does it all feel stable, and solid, and still?

Artist Andrews lives with a chronic condition called vestibular migraine that affects his perception of motion and balance. The first warning of an attack is a sense of derealisation, a strange lapse in reality.

In this mixed reality work, you see your body as an avatar, one that moves when you do, yet feels mysteriously disconnected. Seated at a desk, you are guided to complete a series of everyday tasks that would normally be performed unconsciously.

The more time passes, the more your perception becomes elastic and unreliable. And while you know that that beyond the screen is a world that is stable and solid... you must first confront the unsettling reality that the familiar can easily become something different.

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Team 2025 Executive Director: Dan Shanan Director: Alex Lee General Manager & Festival Producer: Rachael Penman Operations & Projects Executive: Christian Jensen

Screening Support: Andreas Heineman, Benedict Reid, Blandine Massiet du Biest, Bruce Foster, Cathy Woods, Jasmine Herlt, Rowan Wernham, Sacha Handsaker, Simon Mark-Brown, Trecia Smith A big thank you to all the other supporters throughout the year.

Web and Digital Marketing Manager: John Lau Design & Digital Media Coordinator: Jarrod Dobell Marketing Coordinator: Imogen Mingos

Doc Edge Charity #CC54892

Event Intern: Jan-Willem Van de Berg

Private Bag 92066 | Victoria Street West | Auckland 1142

AV Editor Interns: Ryan Wood, Ashok James

09 360 0329

Outreach Coordinator: Blandine Massiet du Biest

Board of Trustees: Matthew Metcalfe (Chair), Cameron McGregor, Nathan Hoturoa Gray, Alex Lee, Dan Shanan, Sharon Ferguson, Sarah Stuart

International Advisors: Corey Tong, Alexandra Johnes, Chris Gerbhardt, Yulan Chang Customer Service and Ticketing Coordinator: Jing Jing Ke Wellington Coordinator: Colleen Restieaux Wellington Customer Service & Ticketing: Emma Fryer

Patron: Helen Clark Ambassadors: Judy Bailey, Neil Waka Legal Advisor: David Bigio Q.C.

Industry Programme Advisor & Moderator: Shannon Service Industry Producer & Christchurch Coordinator: Kim Georgine Industry Interns: Cole Gerbhardt, Felix Rabenda Media & PR (Elephant Publicity): Michelle Lafferty, Ali Nicoll van Leeuwen, Stephanie Butler Web Design: Lilla Nikoletti Photography: Deane Cohen

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Auckland Venues Accessibility

The Capitol Cinema

Access for patrons with disabilities - Currently it is not possible to install wheelchair access into our cinema. We sincerely apologise for this inconvenience.

Screenings Screenings will start as scheduled. Latecomers will not be permitted entry once a screening has commenced. Please turn off all electronic devices prior to the start. Any recordings and photography are strictly prohibited.

The Capitol Cinema Built in 1922, Balmoral’s heritage-listed Capitol is Auckland’s second oldest cinema. Renovated most recently in 2009, the cosy 132-seat cinema is plush with large comfortable seating and original decor. The Capitol screens the best in new release arthouse films together with upmarket commercial releases, regular special film events and festivals. The cinema is licensed and supports local wines, craft beers, a selection of imported brands, six different types of gin and a range of sodas and tonic water.

The candy bar also offers hand-rolled, organic Little Island ice creams.

Booking and Ticket Information Tickets can be booked via the Doc Edge website.

The Doc Edge box office will be located downstairs during festival time.

Eating and Drinking You can enjoy a pre-show drink in the Cinema bar.

610 Dominion Road, Balmoral, Auckland

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Parking and Transport There is free street parking available near the cinema on Rocklands Ave and on Wiremu Street. Alternatively, there is a paid Secure Parking lot behind the cinema (in the old Warehouse car park). If you’re bussing to the Capitol, the 25B and 25L stops right outside and the OuterLink and 650 stop nearby on Balmoral Road.

For other parking options please visit: at.govt.nz

Public Transport Visit Auckland Transport or download the AT app to see what public transport options are available.

Auckland Venues

25 June - 13 July Eating and Drinking

Bridgeway Cinema

You can enjoy a pre-show drink and snacks from the Cinema bar.

Clarence Rd Eatery is proud to be a local favourite in Northcote Point. Next to the iconic Bridgeway Theatre, and with ample parking, they are world-famous in the neighbourhood and offer premium Allpress coffee, hand-made breakfast, brunch and lunch menus 7 days a week, and bistro style dining Wednesday to Sunday evenings until 8pm.

Accessibility

Bridgeway Cinema Just outside of Auckland Central is the North Shore’s very own Bridgeway Cinema. Opened in 1927 as the Onewa Picture Drome, this 4-screen multiplex is just a tenminute drive from Auckland Central. Known for screening independent and arthouse films, as well as events – there’s something for everyone at Bridgeway Cinema.

On the ground floor a wheelchair/disabled lift is available for your use. All of our cinemas have easy wheelchair access, and are wheelchair friendly.

Parking and Transport

Booking and Ticket Information

If you’re driving, Bridgeway Cinema is a 10-15 minute drive from the city centre, located just off the Harbour Bridge on the North Shore.

You’ll find plenty of street parking in the area.

Tickets can be booked via the Doc Edge website.

Public Transport

The Doc Edge box office will be located at the cinema during festival time.

By the waterfront, there are regular bus services (931, 933, 939) from Viaduct Harbour and Victoria Park to the Stafford Road/Stafford Road Shops stop which is only a 5-minute walk from Bridgeway Cinema. For more information, check the Auckland Transport website’s Journey Planner tool.

122 Queen Street, Northcote Point, Auckland 0627

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Auckland Venues

25 June - 13 July Accessibility The path to the main entrance is level and accessible, automatic doors, accessible toilet.

Silo 6

Parking and Transport There is currently a lot of renovation and construction occurring at Wynyard Quarter, we therefore recommend taking use of other available transport as there will be limited parking and street access.

Silo 6 Free Exhibition Schedule, Booking and Ticket Information The Immersive Exhibition at Silo 6 is free and open to the public. During the activation time of the Exhibition Doc Edge will be running hosted sessions.

From 25 June – 13 July there will be some experiences where we offer the ability to book and secure a free ticket, as capacity of these sessions will be limited and to reduce wait time and queuing. These sessions along with tickets can be booked on the Doc Edge website.

For all up-to-date schedule and ticketing information go to https://docedge.nz/immersive-exhibition/

Opening Hours Thursday – Sunday from 10am to 2pm

Beaumont Street &, Jellicoe Street, Auckland Central, Auckland

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If you are entering from Fanshawe Street take either Halsey or Beaumont Street onto Jellicoe Street.

If you’re coming from Downtown Auckland, Viaduct Harbour or Te Wero Island, the Downtown car park is the most convenient 31 Customs Street West.

For more information please visit the Silo Park website: www.silopark.co.nz/location

Christchurch Venues Screenings

Lumière Cinemas

Screenings at Lumière Cinemas are in the Bardot and the Bernhardt cinemas.

Screenings will start as scheduled. Latecomers will not be permitted entry once a screening has commenced. Please turn off all electronic devices prior to the start. Any recordings and photography are strictly prohibited.

Accessibility

Lumière Cinemas Right across the road from the majestic Christchurch Botanic Gardens in Rolleston Avenue and housed within the West Lecture Block of the historic Christchurch Arts Centre, our bespoke art deco cinema complex is a Christchurch mecca for all movie lovers. We offer the Bardot screen (downstairs) which seats 42 (including a wheelchair space) and the Bernhardt screen (upstairs) which seats 73 (including a wheelchair space); along with state-of-the-art sound design and projection technology; great hospitality; and artisanal beverages and eats.

Booking and Ticket Information Tickets can be booked via the Doc Edge website.

The Doc Edge box office will be located upstairs in the Ticket Office of Lumière Cinemas during festival time.

Eating and Drinking

You can book wheelchair access on the Doc Edge website when purchasing a ticket, or please contact Doc Edge on 09 360 0329.

Please be sure to specifically request wheelchair seats. Companion seats are available for those booking wheelchair spaces.

A hearing loop is available; please notify staff on arrival. A photo ID is required for the use of hearing aid equipment.

There is an accessible door on the ground floor (within our courtyard on Rolleston Ave) and an elevator for your convenience.

Parking and Transport The Art Centre car park offers 16 free (for a maximum of 180 minutes) P60 car parks (check availability on your arrival). Park your car in the designated P60 car park and come to our ticket office to collect your complimentary parking pass to display on your car dashboard. There are also 2 accessible car parking spaces in the Art Centre car park, and 3 more accessible car parking spaces near our cinema in Rolleston Ave.

Select from our extensive range of local and regional wines, craft beers, non-alcoholic beverages, and delicious cheeseboards and gourmet treats. Enjoy your fare in the cinema, or head on up to the bespoke art deco Bijou Bar (floor 2) before or after your film.

26 Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch Central City

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Christchurch Venues

16 - 27 July Accessibility The path to the main entrance is level and accessible, automatic doors, accessible toilet.

Tūranga

Parking and Transport The closest off-street car parks to Tūranga are 158 Hereford Street and 105 Worcester Street.

There are three P120 mobility parking spaces immediately outside Tūranga, two on Gloucester Street and one on Colombo Street.

Tūranga

The Bus Interchange is located approximately 500 metres from Tūranga, a short walk of about 7 minutes. The Manchester Street Bus Stop is approximately 250 metres from Tūranga, a short walk of about 4 minutes.

There are bike racks on all three sides Gloucester, Columbo and Cathedral Square.

Free Exhibition Schedule, Booking and Ticket Information The Immersive Exhibition at Tūranga is free and open to the public. During the activation time of the Exhibition Doc Edge will be running hosted sessions.

From 16 – 27 July there will be some experiences where we offer the ability to book and secure a free ticket, as capacity of these sessions will be limited and to reduce wait time and queuing. These sessions along with tickets can be booked on the Doc Edge website.

For all up to date schedule and ticketing information go to https://docedge.nz/immersive-exhibition/

Opening Hours Monday – Friday from 9am to 8pm Saturday – Sunday from 10am to 5pm

60 Cathedral Square, Christchurch Central City

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Additional cycle parking will be located in Cathedral Square. This area will be able to store cycles, scooters and mobility devices, however please take care and bring your own lock as we can’t take responsibility for lost or damaged items.

Wellington Venue

16 - 27 July Parking and Transport

The Roxy Cinema

There is unrestricted car parking space on nearby Tahi Street, and further north on Park Road. There are 30-minute parking spaces directly outside the building. Buses 2, 30x and 31x all depart from Courtney Place (CBD) and go directly to The Roxy. The trip takes roughly 25 minutes but allow time for traffic and delays. For more information & bus timetables head to metlink.org.nz.

Screenings

The Roxy Cinema Nestled in the heart of New Zealand’s movie-making capital, Miramar, Wellington, this gorgeous art deco cinema theatre, multi-arts venue and restaurant, is one of the city’s leading attractions.

This versatile multi-arts venue now boasts state of the art sound design and projection technology, two luxurious theatres (capacity 164 & 55), generous Italian leather seats and the ability to enjoy wine and snacks while you watch, making this a very special film experience.

Booking and Ticket Information Tickets can be booked via the Doc Edge website.

The Doc Edge box office will be located upstairs in the Grand Foyer of The Roxy during festival time.

Screenings at The Roxy are in Cinema One upstairs, and Cinema Two on the ground level.

Screenings will start as scheduled. Latecomers will not be permitted entry once a screening has commenced. Please turn off all electronic devices prior to the start. Any recordings and photography are strictly prohibited.

Accessibility You can book wheelchair access on the Doc Edge website when purchasing a ticket, or please contact Doc Edge on 09 360 0329.

Be sure to specifically request wheelchair seats. Companion seats are available for those booking wheelchair spaces. Infrared hearing assist headphones are available; please notify staff on arrival. A photo ID is required for the use of hearing aid equipment. There are two mobility car parks at the front of the building.

Eating and Drinking You can enjoy a pre-show drink in the theatre bar, or for something a bit more substantial, Coco at The Roxy is Miramar’s leading dining destination serving award-winning dishes and cocktails. The restaurant is open from Thursday – Sunday from 5pm. Bookings are recommended and can be made through our website, www.cocoattheroxy.co.nz.

5 Park Road, Miramar, Wellington 6022

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Index A A Good Question A Letter to David A Quiet Love A Sisters' Tale Ai Weiwei's Turnadot Alofa

62 16 22 23 17 62

B Before the Moon Falls Blame

10 28

C Carrousel Chaplin: Spirit of the Tramp Child of Dust Chinatown Cha-Cha Click the Link Below Correct Me If I'm Wrong

34 17 23 18 29 63

D The Dancer The Dating Game Devils on Horses

18 24 29

F Facing War Fatal Watch Feel It from My Words Folktales Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea Front Row Full Support

30 52 58 11 53 19 24

G The Gardener, the Buddhist & the Spy The Great Kimberley Experience

30 72

H Hikairo ki Tōngariro Home The Honest Poet How to Build a Library Hou Rongo: Reviving Moriori Culture

71 58 63 11 59

I I Know I'm Going to Paint Illuminated Horizons Impulse: Playing with Reality In Waves and War

59 73 74 35

K Kapwa Ko Tātou Te Wai: We Are the Water

72 59

L The Last Dive The Lions by the River Tigris Little Potato LOOT: A Story of Crime and Redemption

53 35 60 31

M Made in Ethiopia MĀHŪ: A Trans-Pacific Love Letter Mammary Mountain Mana Moana Mana Tangata Marriage Cops Mighty Indeed Mirror Mother of Chooks Mr Nobody Against Putin Ms President

12 63 74 54 36 54 72 64 31 25

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N Never Get Busted!

Night is Not Eternal No Tears on the Field Nothing is Impossible: The Primanavia Story Numakage Public Pools

32 36 25 60 55

O OCEANIA: Journey to the Centre Old Men Build a Bridge On Healing Land, Birds Perch Onwards Os Barcos

12 60 64 61 55

P Pee Shy Pepe Moth Dance Pōneke Classical Sessions The Pool The Promise

64 71 61 56 13

Q Qotzuñi: People of the Lake

65

R Remaining Native

37

S Sandcastles The Sardine Roaster Separated Shayni in the Sky Shepherd Boy Sight Unseen Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror

65 65 37 38 66 73 19

T Te Rerenga o Muriwai They Call Me the Tattoo Witch Three Days in February Through a Glass, Lightly Turbulence: Jamais Wu Two Travelling Aunties

71 66 20 61 74 66

V The Visitor Book Vivien's Wild Ride Voices from the Abyss

73 26 67

W What Does the Mud Whisper Where is Home?

Who Loves the Sun Wildboy

67 67 68 26

Y YUMI: The Whole World Yurlu | Country

13 14

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A strong track-record, a dedicated team, a constant focus on the latest technology, a range of solutions, we give back, and to top it all off we’re powered by solar.

For more information contact Blake Douglas, email: blake@benefitz.co.nz or visit www.benefitz.co.nz

Proud to be a supply partner to Doc Edge Festival.

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