This screening is captioned and accessible for people with hearing impairments.

Beautiful stories of our land and our people. The movies in this collection showcase the work of talented New Zealand short film makers. Bold coming-of-age films sit alongside thoughtful drama, silly comedic fun, inventive fantasy, and warm-hearted documentary. We explore unlikely friendships, face our past, and step into the unfolding future.

Run Time: 99 min

Rating: M - Drug use, offensive language, sex scenes & mental health themes

Kurī
Coming of Age, 13m, NZ
Kurī hasn’t been back to Te Urewera since she was bitten by a dog as a child. After her father’s passing, Kurī must face her grief and go home, whether she’s ready to or not.
Dir/Writ: Ana Chaya Scotney
Prod: Julie Zhu

Lucky Luke
Coming of Age, 13m, NZ
Eighteen-year-old Luke’s morning sleep-in is disrupted by his solo mum, with the news that their domestic set-up is transitioning from mother and son to flatmates.
Dir/Writ: Jesse Griffin
Prod: Rachel Jean

The Owl and the Rainbow
Animation, 10m, NZ
Based on a true story, a mother must find the courage to soar to the moon and battle the creature of death, or lose her daughter forever.
Dir: Jo Luping
Writ: Lynda Chanwai-Earle
Prod: Antony Gusscott

The Return
Psychological Drama, 15m, NZ
When Lupesina answers her ancestors’ call, she must find acceptance of herself, or risk being stuck in the in-between.
Dir/Writ: Marina Alofagia McCartney
Prod: Alex Lovell, Eldon Booth

The Brightness
Coming of Age, 13m, NZ
When teenagers reunite to memorialise their friend’s passing, Jed is forced to confront his unresolved grief before his erratic behaviour severs his remaining relationships.
Dir/Writ: Freya Silas Finch
Prod: Alex Lovell, Eldon Booth

Six Minute Supplement
Fantasy, 10m, NZ
A brother and sister overdose on entitlement when a sample drug swaps their bodies.
Dir/Writ/Prod: Sinead Lau

Our Glass
Comedy, 3m, NZ
Matt’s got everything squared away, including the ground rules for a new flatmate. So everything should be good as gold, no drama.
Dir/Writ/Prod: Samantha Jukes
Prod: Dan Buckingham

Bob & C-Nut: A Good Way to Start the Day
Documentary, 15m, NZ
With an age gap going on 40 years, good friends Bob and Connor share a love of skateboarding, music and double entendres.
Dir/Prod: Anna Frances Pearson

Contact the host of Aotearoa (Captioned) - Show Me Shorts Film Festival