From the 28th to the 30th of October, the second annual Arohanui Film Festival is set to take over the historic Te Aroha township again.
In one weekend, 33 films will screen at the Future Te Aroha centre, including five World Premieres and 11 New Zealand Premieres. Some of these films are presented by the film-makers and will not be available to see in New Zealand again.
The festival is designed to watch in it’s entirety, which is why a festival pass is set to an affordable price of $70 to watch all the films over three days. There is also a documentary pass for $40 which allows entry to the five documentary sessions.
Tickets go on sale on 1st of October through Eventbrite and www.arohanuifilmfestival.nz. Check out the full schedule below.
FRIDAY 28th October
I Will Treasure Your Friendship | Australia, World Premiere, Short Film
A singer in search of the limelight is adopted by the parents of a murder victim.
Unit 6 | New Zealand, NZ Premiere, Short Film
A pregnant teen travels to the place she was abused from the age of 8. Followed by Q&A with writer/director Jane Sherning Warren.
Stick To Your Gun | New Zealand, NZ Premiere, Short Film
A woman cooks breakfast for a man. Who is handcuffed to her bed. Next to a crazy chicken. Followed by Q&A with writer/director Joe Hitchcock.
Tamara, Echelon | Romania, NZ Premiere, 30 Minute Film
Surreal Romanian black comedy following a 75-year-old woman who has a knack for picking up men at a cemetery. Her latest target: an 80-year-old widower.
SATURDAY 29th October – 10.30am
Madam Black | New Zealand, Short Film
When a down-on-his-luck photographer accidentally runs over a little girl’s cat, he goes to great lengths to cover it up.
Atlantic | Ireland, NZ Premiere, Feature Film
Anger-provoking look at the fishing communities – in Ireland, Norway and Newfoundland – whose way of life is being pushed aside by major oil companies. Narrated by Brendan Gleeson.
SATURDAY 29th October – 13.00am
K Road Stories | New Zealand, Short Film Collection
A variety of filmmakers paint Auckland’s iconic street in a series of short films. Followed by Q&A with Producers Morgan Leigh Stewart & Hazel Gibson.
SATURDAY 29th October – 3.00pm
Risky Game | Germany, NZ Premiere, Short Film
Coming extremely close to not graduating, a student attempts to blackmail her physics teacher into giving her a pass mark.
The Great Maiden’s Blush | New Zealand, Feature Film
The lives of two very different first-time mothers collide in this Kiwi drama from Andrea Bosshard and Shane Loader.
SATURDAY 29th October – 6.00pm
Only Humane | New Zealand, World Premiere, Short Film
On a seemingly normal day, something goes wrong for a rural veterinarian. And then another thing. And then another thing. Followed by Q&A with writer/director Adam Harvey
Bitch | Sweden, World Premiere, Feature Film
The adventures of a dog from New Delhi who finds herself in Sweden. Followed by Q&A with writer/director Csaba Bene Perlenberg and producer Martina Elmqvist
SATURDAY 29th October – 8.30pm
Happy Birthday Kevin | USA, NZ Premiere, Short Film
A one-minute-long film about a 15-year-old aiming for absolute greatness.
This Giant Paper Mache Boulder is Actually Really Heavy | New Zealand, Feature Film
Quirky Kiwi comedy set in a b-movie sci-fi world where all the low-budget props work for real. Followed by Q&A with writer/director Christian Nicolson.
SATURDAY 29th October – 10.30pm
A Dream At Sea | Norway, NZ Premiere, Feature Film
Three artists build a boat out of rubbish in an attempt to sail their way into an art exhibition.
SUNDAY 30th October – 10.00am
The Bus Trip | Israel / Palestine / Sweden, NZ Premiere, Short Film
Documentary about the difficulty a filmmaker faces in Israel every time the occupation of Palestine is brought up.
Spirit of the Ancestors | Easter Island Chile, Feature Film
Originally titled Te Kuhane o te Tupuna, this documentary follows a search for lost mana on Easter Island and the social-political movement attached to that journey.
SUNDAY 30th October – 1.30pm
The Boxer | UK, NZ Premiere, Short Film
A lonely boxer faces his demons in this short UK drama.
The Art of Recovery | New Zealand, Feature Film
Director Peter Young explores the creativity boom in post-earthquake Christchurch, and the tension that arises between the people and the government who want to go back to the way things were.
SUNDAY 30th October – 3.30pm
Bitter Sweet | New Zealand, Short Film
A look at Auckland-based refugee youth arts project Mixit as they reimagine Romeo and Juliet.
Mind Landscape | Tibet, NZ Premiere, 46 Minute Documentary
Ten years in Tibet is captured by the eyes and lens of photographer Yankang Yang.
SUNDAY 30th October – 5.00pm
Digit | New Zealand, World Premiere, Short Film
An 11-year-old girl becomes overwhelmed with anxiety and alienation after she steals another girl’s watch. Followed by Q&A with writer/director Claire Ashton.
Where the Windmills Are | Denmark, World Premiere, Feature Film
Coming-of-age drama thriller about a pre-teen looking to impress his crush, a known tough girl whose boyfriend is the head of a gang.
SUNDAY 30th October – 7.00pm
Ride | New Zealand, Short Film
Hitchhiking tale from writer-director Karyn Childs, following a man who picks up a stranded woman on her way to a funeral. When things turn for the worst, he has to act immediately to get her there alive.
Goodbye Pork Pie | New Zealand, Feature Film
The 1981 Kiwi classic road movie from Geoff Murphy that takes a stolen mini from Kaitaia to Invercargill.
