Day One Film Fest

DAY ONE FILM FEST: Kawhe, Kōrero & Screenings

🗓️ Sunday 29 November, 10 am - 4:30pm

Every great filmmaker has a Day One. Day One Film Fest celebrates bold new voices in film, bringing together young filmmakers from across Aotearoa to put their work on the big screen and their names in the spotlight.

This is your chance to discover the stories, styles and storytellers shaping the future of cinema. Expect original ideas, fearless creativity, and the kind of raw energy you only find in fresh work.

Filmmaker Kawhe & Kōrero

📍Central City Library, 46 Lorne Street, Auckland CBD
10:00am – 12:00pm

Start the day with coffee, pastries and kai as we celebrate this year’s nominees and announce the award recipients. Instead of speeches, we’ll hear straight from the filmmakers in a relaxed panel Q&A about their work and process.

Screenings

📍 Academy Cinemas, 44 Lorne Street, Auckland CBD

For the Whānau | 1:00pm – 1:45pm
Family-friendly films about a better tomorrow. Bring the kids, the grandparents and everyone in between.
Pengi Lights · Monster and Me · Bark and Bone · Ruminations · Under the Bed · Think About Them · Skip · The Last Different One · Dubiety · Stultus Ovis · Whopper Whopper (2025) · Moop (2020)

Real Talk | 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Fresh voices tackling real issues. Honest, thought-provoking social commentary from a generation with something to say.
Forget It · Everything You Want · He Ao Whakatikatika · Tōfā · Mr. Ninety Nine · Singularity: Relaunched · Active Imagination · Silver Lining

Hope for a Generation | 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Come for the warm fuzzies and leave knowing the future is in good hands.
Wallowing, Willowing · Bedroom Studies · Fale · WayFinding · My Brain Sings Too · SUA Retired Bus Driver · Eco Anxiety & Aotearoa · Aliwang Yatu Ampo Ini

Seats are limited, so book early!