Opening Night Film: A Line in the Sandstone

This year’s opening film takes us deep into the Denniston Plateau, one of Aotearoa’s extraordinary and fragile landscapes. Home to dwarf native forests, rare lizards and snails found nowhere else on Earth, Denniston is a refuge for species and ecosystems unique to the South Island.

This is a cinematically stunning film that showcases the raw beauty of Denniston Plateau. The film follows a colourful group of climbers, highliners and activists on a bold mission to promote and protect this remote, harsh West Coast landscape. Australian coalmining company Bathurst Resources has applied to extract millions of tonnes of coal on Denniston Plateau, mostly for export. Against this backdrop, the film asks a powerful question: what are we willing to do to defend places that cannot be replaced?

From 6.15pm, come and mingle before a screening of A Line In The Sandstone at 7pm. 

The film will be followed by a Q&A and discussion with those involved in the campaign to prevent coal mining in Denniston Plateau. Hear about ongoing actions led by Climate Liberation Aotearoa and explore what more can be done to safeguard this remarkable landscape.

Please support the makers of this film by donating directly here - A Line in the Sandstone (Denniston Plateau Film) | Chuffed | Non-profit charity and social enterprise fundraising

Your donation will help cover post-production, promotion and getting this film in front of as many people as possible via community screenings.

This event is part of the Nelson Tasman Climate Forum's annual Climate Action Festival, check out all other events: https://collections.humanitix.com/nelson-tasman-climate-action-festival-2026