Previewing the 2025 New Zealand International Film Festival

Previewing the 2025 New Zealand International Film Festival

With over 100 films, the 2025 New Zealand International Film Festival has plenty of cinematic fare to offer.

The programme releases on July 7, but here are just a few of the films ahead for the 2025 event, kicking off in Auckland from July 31.

Opening night film -It Was Just an Accident

The 2025 Palme d'Or winner arrives on these shores, a tale of a small mishap that triggers a chain reaction of growing problems.

Prime Minister

Hot on the heels of releasing a memoir of her time in power and also in the run up to and after some major events in New Zealand history, this doco, numbering Jacinda Ardern's husband Clarke Gayford among its producers, from directors Michelle Walshe and Lindsay Utz puts a visual spin on the story.

Endless Cookie

Ten years in the making, this animated documentary covers the topics of the realities of First Nations in a different way. From Canada, co-director Seth Scriver reckons they wanted to make something "funny, beautiful, spiritual, political, complex, simple and true".

Mistress Dispeller

This Chinese movie tackles the subject of cheating - when a wife suspects her husband of doing the dirty on her, she chooses not to confront him but hires a mistress dispeller, a specialist in ending extra-marital affairs. 

The Wolves Always Come at Night

This co-pro between Australia, Mongolia and Germany looks at the effects of global warming on a nomadic family's once sustainable lifestyle. set in Mongolia, it's a thought-provoking hint of what lies ahead and how the ripple effects of actions on one side of the world can have far-reaching consequences.

Predators

To Catch a Predator was a US TV sensation, a gotcha-style TV show with serious implications and a proper safety message at heart. This US documentary takes a look at the impact of the show and how it shaped true crime - but not necessarily for the best.

Splitsville

Director Michael Angelo Covino's comedy drama, with Adria Arjona and Dakota Johnson tackles open marriage, relationships and much more.

Bring Them Down

A thriller about rivals in Ireland - the Banshees of Inisherin this isn't although it does feature Barry Keoghan. Centred around two farming families, this does see an escalation of stubbornness, so perhaps there are some similarities with the Oscar winner. Also starring Christopher Abbott. 

Ebony and Ivory

Jim Hosking of The Greasy Strangler fame sees the remaking of the infamous Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney song - but through an entirely skewed lens. Described as taking "comedy to a cliff and pushing it off", this looks like the most intriguing film of the festival.

For more on the 2025 New Zealand International Film Festival visit nziff.co.nz