Aotearoa International Film Festival 2026
16 March - 22 March
The Aotearoa International Film Festival brings New Zealand cinema to Hong Kong!
The festival will showcase the bold and diverse storytelling of contemporary New Zealand cinema, featuring three exclusive Hong Kong premieres that highlight the country’s landscapes, cultures, and powerful narratives.
The festival is led by Festival Director Semiquaver Iafeta, a New Zealand-born actor of Samoan and Tokelauan heritage who has lived in Hong Kong for nearly 25 years. A former Hong Kong rugby representative and pioneering Pacific Islander actor in Hong Kong’s film and television industry, Iafeta aims to foster cultural exchange between Asia and the Pacific through film. The festival is supported by New Zealand Consul General Peter Lund and returns this year with a larger venue, additional sponsors, themed prizes and special surprises celebrating Kiwi and Pacific Island culture.
Event highlights:
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The Convert (Drama): A lay preacher confronts his violent past amid conflict between Māori tribes in 1830s New Zealand.
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Tinā (Mother) (Drama): A grieving Samoan mother forms a soulful student choir at a private school, rediscovering identity, healing, and cultural connection.
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Hunt for the Wilderpeople (Action/Comedy): A rebellious boy and his reluctant uncle bond while on the run in the New Zealand wilderness.