🎬 GALS Film Fundraiser: Big Girls Don’t Cry

See the film. Meet the makers. Support GALS on the world stage.

Join GALS for a special early screening of Big Girls Don’t Cry, followed by an exclusive Q&A with writer/director Paloma Schneideman and lead actor Ani Palmer.

Releases nationwide on 8 October 2026!

This is your chance to experience one of Aotearoa’s most talked-about new queer films — and then hear directly from the people who brought it to life.

Premiering at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival before travelling to festivals including SXSW, BFI Flare and TIFF Next Wave, Big Girls Don’t Cry is Paloma Schneideman’s acclaimed feature debut and was selected as the Opening Night film of the 2026 Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival.

Set during the summer of 2006, the film follows 14-year-old Sid (Ani Palmer) as she navigates identity, desire, friendship and the complicated business of growing up. Set in rural Aotearoa during the era of dial-up internet and MSN, it is a raw and intimate exploration of queer adolescence, belonging, shame and the longing to be seen for who you really are.

🎤 Stay for the conversation

Following the screening, Paloma Schneideman and Ani Palmer will offer a special Q&A, giving you the opportunity to hear about the film's making, its themes, character development, and bringing a Queer Aotearoa story to the world!

You will have the ability to submit a question to Paloma and Ani when you purchase your ticket!

(we can not guarantee that your question will be selected due to time constraints)

Movie is rated R16

And there’s another reason to be there…

🌈 Help GALS get to Perth

This screening is a fundraiser for GALS’ journey to Out & Loud Perth 2026.

GALS is heading across the Tasman to join LGBTQIA+ choirs from Australia and beyond, bringing the voices and stories of our rainbow community in Aotearoa to an international stage.

By coming along, you’re helping us take queer Aotearoa stories and voices further.

So gather your friends, grab a ticket and make a night of it.

Come for the film. Stay for the Q&A. Help us get to Perth.

🎬 Big Girls Don’t Cry
🎤 Q&A with Paloma Schneideman & Ani Palmer
🌈 Fundraiser for GALS at Out & Loud Perth 2026
🇳🇿 A queer Aotearoa story, made here and taking on the world

Contact the host of GALS Film Fundraiser