NZ International Film Festival Opening night, revealed

Our opening night film is…

It’s official, Big Girls Don’t Cry will open NZIFF 2026!

The debut feature from Auckland-based director Paloma Schneideman, Big Girls Don’t Cry is a tender coming-of-age portrait of girlhood, set in early 2000s Matakana.

The film follows 14-year-old Sidney ‘Sid’ Bookman (Ani Palmer) as she’s caught between childhood and adolescence, navigating burgeoning sexual curiosity, and grappling with a desperate need for acceptance and all the clumsiness of growing up. Playing out in the era of dial-up internet and reality tv, the film weaves together themes of queer adolescence, class shame and identity, at a moment when the wider world was starting to seep into small town Aotearoa.

Fresh from a stellar run at Sundance, SXSW and TIFF Next Wave, we can’t wait for it to star on NZIFF screens from July 29. Read a bit more about our opening night film here, and check out the trailer below.

Cheers to 5 years, Spy Valley

We know how much you love to treat yourself to a glass of wine at the movies, and now, festival favourite Spy Valley is back on the NZIFF drinks menu for the fifth year running!

And when you next sit down with a crisp glass of sav as the opening credits roll, know you’re sipping on some of the world’s best - Spy Valley was recently named New Zealand Winery of the Year at the prestigious London Wine Competition, scooping a gold medal for all seven wines entered. Congratulations, friends!

Become an NZIFF patron

Love the festival as much as we do? Consider joining as an NZIFF patron. Our incredible patrons help us to continue to present the very best in global film to Kiwi audiences, and to deepen engagement with films and filmmakers through special events, Q&As, and much more.

This month, we’ll be hosting a special patrons-only screening at Wellington’s Lighthouse Cuba. To find out more, send us an email at patrons@nziff.co.nz.