New Zealand International Film Festival premieres in Wellington, director ‘thrilled’

by Vita Molyneux

The director of the New Zealand International Film Festival is “thrilled” the event can go ahead in Wellington, saying it gives Aotearoa the opportunity to reconnect with the rest of the world.

Although the Covid-19 Delta outbreak means the festival cannot go ahead in Auckland, it opens tonight in Wellington and Friday in Christchurch and Dunedin.

Director Marten Rabarts told the Herald he’s absolutely “delighted”.

“This fluid time of public events being shut down and postponed we’re just delighted that we’re going to be able to open.”

He acknowledged Covid-19 means nothing is ever certain – but he feels positive about the chances.

“Everyone is just going with the flow of what the pandemic tells us we’re able to do.”

Between November 4 and November 21, the festival will screen 164 feature-length films from 51 countries.

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