The 2025 Selection - The Blocks!
Discover our unique approach to showcasing short films! At our festival, we sort our films into "Blocks" — curated collections based around shared themes. Each year brings a fresh selection of films, vibrant new themes, and creatively named Blocks, making every festival experience distinct and exciting. Explore the stories that resonate together and immerse yourself in the magic of thematic storytelling!
Blocks (B) - are featured at Luxe Cinemas. Individual tickets are available on their website.
Public Blocks (PB) - are our sponsored screenings which are free to attend, hosted alongside NightOwl Cinemas, these are family friendly films held at our outdoor venue at Masonic Park.
Exhibition Blocks (XB) - Discover our exhibition films, generously sponsored to play continuously at our Festival HQ. Intended to be enjoyed alongside other art exhibitions, these films are curated as unique pieces of art, offering a visual feast that complements the surrounding artworks. Join us to experience these cinematic gems on repeat, each one a masterpiece in its own right.
Special Blocks (SB) - Delve deeper with our Special Blocks, extended sessions designed to enrich your festival experience, available for a modest premium.
The 2025 Selection - The Blocks!
Discover our unique approach to showcasing short films! At our festival, we sort our films into "Blocks" — curated collections based around shared themes. Each year brings a fresh selection of films, vibrant new themes, and creatively named Blocks, making every festival experience distinct and exciting. Explore the stories that resonate together and immerse yourself in the magic of thematic storytelling!
Blocks (B) - are featured at Luxe Cinemas. Individual tickets are available on their website.
Public Blocks (PB) - are our sponsored screenings which are free to attend, hosted alongside NightOwl Cinemas, these are family friendly films held at our outdoor venue at Masonic Park.
B1: Salt of the Earth. runtime 67mins
"Bold films that tackle pressing social issues, shining a light on the struggles and resilience of everyday heroes."
Featuring:
Adidas Owns the Reality
The Sex Slave
The Drowning Fish
Sweet Boys
Te Herenga Tangata
B2: The Righteous Path
runtime 61mins
"Powerful narratives that challenge our morals and inspire us to choose integrity in the face of adversity."
Featuring:
Fishnet and the Fish
The Winner
Maybe Just For You
CR7
Son of a Beach
B3: Free Your Mind
runtime 59mins
"Dive into daring and imaginative adult animations that push boundaries and expand perspectives."
Featuring:
An Interview with Death
The Mushpit
Escape Room
Adam
Novavita
T-Zero
Red Alert
Lost In Translation
Our Road
B4: Echoes of the Past
runtime 69mins
"Evocative films that weave historical threads with contemporary insights, inviting us to reflect on where we've been and where we're headed."
Featuring:
Fin
Nine Night
The White Horse
As Easy As Closing Your Eyes
Rochelle
B5: Slings and Arrows...and Guns....
runtime 58mins
"A high-octane collection of action-packed films where adrenaline meets ambition in a thrilling ride of conflict and resolution."
Featuring:
King Karsten
Shaolin Office
Picture Break
H
Split Decision
Dark Child
B6: Fantastical Realities
runtime 66mins
"Journey through enchanting and surreal landscapes in films that blend the magical with the real to question what we accept as truth."
Featuring:
Morearea
Fiabexit
Green Pearl
Lost
Rumbles of the Earth
Untimely Intervention
B7: Valley of Shadows
runtime 68mins
"Delve into the depths of the human psyche with films that explore the eerie and the mysterious, illuminating our darkest fears and desires."
Featuring:
I need a battle
Feedback
Selfish Love
Cleaner
The Puppet Show
Cut Flowers
B8: On a Lighter Note
runtime 70mins
Uplifting and cheerful films that bring a smile with their whimsy and warmth, perfect for a feel-good escape.
Featuring:
Last Light
Ensnared
The Fire Triangle Of Love Theory
Greg
Linda 4 Eva
X: The Interview
B9: Milk and Honey runtime 61mins
"Sweet, nourishing films that offer comfort and joy, celebrating the simple pleasures and deep bonds of life."
Featuring:
Buttons and Dumplings
Indefinitely
The Winner
The Island
Go West
B10: Roots and Wings
runtime 68mins
"Heartwarming films that explore the dynamics of family life, highlighting the ties that ground us and the dreams that set us free."
Featuring:
Bento
Perianayaki
Breath
Holiday
Hoikia
B11: Achey, Breaky, Heart
runtime 66mins
"Intense and poignant films that delve into the complexities of love and the emotional whirlwinds of relationships."
Featuring:
A Short Film About Love
Indefinitely****
Far From It
Protocol
El Poder del Diagolo
Opia
B12: Whispers of my Ancestors
runtime 67mins
"Captivating films that honor and preserve cultural heritage, connecting past generations to our present through powerful storytelling."
Featuring:
Mother Tongue
Shadow Of the Light Musical
Sugar Dumplin
The Stilt
Water Whispers
B13: Voices of Venus
runtime 70mins
"Celebrating the diverse and dynamic stories of women, these films spotlight female perspectives and the unique challenges and triumphs that shape their lives."
Featuring:
Chicken Broth Soup
Money Baby
The Flower Seller
Loop Line
I'd Never Date an Indian Girl
Exist
Seen
B14: Mindscape
runtime 65mins
"Profound films that navigate the complexities of mental health, offering insight into the mind's challenges and the resilience of the human spirit."
Featuring:
For Thom
Alma
Mr. Intruder
Bleeding Heart
Missing
PB1: Playground of Dreams
runtime 59mins
"Playground of Dreams: A whimsical collection of animated adventures that spark imagination and inspire dreams in the hearts of the young and young at heart."
Featuring:
Haruru Ana Te Karanga ē
Kin
Indefinitely
Bulbank
The Last Gun Fight...Yet
Adam
Memories of the Little Pond
Ghariba and Ajeeb
Munkha
T-Zero
Hymns of a Tiny World - Bird of NZ
PB2: Hearth and Home
runtime 56mins
"Cozy and comforting films that embody the warmth of family gatherings, perfect for viewers of all ages to enjoy together."
Featuring:
My Father Drowned in Soup
Bulbank
The Graceful Act
Sock's Manifesto
The balloon
Lupe Q and the Galactic Corncake
Bible Camp
XB1: RnV: Rythm and Visions
runtime 90mins
"A vibrant showcase of music videos that blend compelling visuals with captivating rhythms, highlighting the artistry of sound and sight."
Featuring:
Haruru Ana Te Karanga ē
Rise Above
Baby Bright
Molly Payton - Accelerate
Beacon Bloom Real
Small City: Rise the Wicked
Shadow Of the Light Musical
Two Curves and a Chapel
Asphalt Surfer
Doux Temps
The Prisoner
Look Up to the Sun
Pulse of Restoration
Mash - Women Life Freedom
Roses
Call It - Sunset Salore
Detangling the Stigma
XB2: Babble's Balcony
runtime 123mins
"A daring collection of experimental films that challenge conventions, offering unique narratives and innovative techniques that push the boundaries of cinema."
Featuring:
Baron Munchausen
The Imagination of a Child
The Flower Seller
Stadsgeluiden
Tides of Freedom
Our Road
The Keyboard
No Bad Days
Stairs
Fashion - Short Film Inspired by Gucci
The Nightmare of the Running Ones
Chandrasekar
The Shopper as a Revelation or 83 Stories
Forever Chemicals
Turkey Talk
The Starlings Commute
Journey Of Transformation
SB1: Best of Fest
runtime 125mins
"Experience the pinnacle of our festival with a curated showcase of the most acclaimed films, celebrated for their creativity, impact, and storytelling excellence."
Featuring:
Rochelle
Opia
Buttons and Dumplings
Shadow Of the Light Musical
Indefinitely
The Island
Breath
Sock's Manifesto
Stadsgeluiden
Bulbank
Picture Break
The Fire Triangle Of Love Theory
SB2: Fortress40
runtime 125mins
"Premiere of the gripping short documentary on the Fortress40 initiative, complemented by powerful films that delve into the nuances of mental health.
Featuring:
Fortress40
Rochelle
Indefinitely
Picture Break
The Stilt