New Zealand International Film Festival Has Added a Stack of Straight-From-Cannes Titles to Its 2023 Lineup

When the 2023 Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival starts doing the rounds, it won't just screen a heap of movies from around the world, and brand-new highlights from Aotearoa. It'll also bring Cannes to NZ. And, it'll boast an impressive feat in the process: screening the year's Palme d'Or winner for the third year in a row.

That huge drawcard: Anatomy of a Fall, a drama about an author (Sandra Hüller, Toni Erdmann) accused of her husband's murder, which won French director Justine Triet (Sibyl) the French festival's top prize back in May. She became just the third female filmmaker to earn the coveted prize after New Zealand's own Jane Campion for The Piano in 1993, plus Julia Ducournau for Titane in 2021.

Also hitting New Zealand from July–September after premiering on the Croisette: Wes Anderson's Asteroid City, bringing the filmmaker's now-trademark sensibilities and aliens together at last — and a characteristically massive cast filled with every famous actor ever or thereabouts. Still with well-known faces and big-name directors, there's also May December, which hails from Carol director Todd Haynes, is led by Natalie Portman (Thor: Love and Thunder) and Julianne Moore (Sharper), and dives into a scandal.

NZIFF will also show Hirokazu Kore-eda's Monster, the prolific helmer's latest on a lengthy resume that also includes Shoplifters and Broker; The New Boy, Australian filmmaker Warwick Thornton's first feature since 2017's stunning Sweet Country, which sees him team up with none other than Tár Oscar-nominee Cate Blanchett; and body-horror film Tiger Stripes, which is set in the Malaysian jungle and won the 2023 Cannes Critics' Week Grand Prize.

There's also German filmmaker Wim Wenders (Submergence) heading to Japan with Perfect Days, Finnish great Aki Kaurismäki's (The Other Side of Hope) Fallen Leaves, Senegalese romance Banel & Adama and three-hour Argentinian heist flick The Delinquents — plus Un Certain Regard Prize-winner How to Have Sex, about three British teen girls on a boozy getaway.

Wondering what else you'll be seeing at NZIFF this year, tempting you into a darkened theatre, aka one of the best places to be in winter? The full Auckland program drop on Monday, June 26 with more movies from Cannes, and more films in general.

WHĀNAU MĀRAMA: NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2023 DATES AND VENUES:

Auckland: July 19–August 6 — The Civic, ASB Waterfront Theatre, Rialto Cinemas Newmarket, Bridgeway Cinema, Academy Cinemas, The Hollywood Avondale
Wellington: July 27–August 12 — The Embassy Theatre (including Deluxe), The Roxy, Light House Cinema Cuba, Light House Cinema Petone, Penthouse Cinemas
Dunedin: August 3–20 — The Regent, Rialto Cinemas Dunedin
Hamilton: August 9–29 — Lido Cinema
Christchurch: August 10–27 — Isaac Theatre Royal, Lumiere Cinemas, Hoyts Christchurch Central (Closing Night only)
Matakana: August 10–27 — Matakana Cinemas
Tauranga: August 10–27 — Rialto Cinemas Tauranga
Napier: August 10–27 — MTG Century Theatre
Masterton: August 16–30 — Regent 3 Cinemas
Whangarei: August 17–27 — Event Cinemas Whangarei
Havelock North: August 17–September 3 — Event Cinemas
New Plymouth: August 17–September 3 — Len Lye Centre Cinema and Event Cinemas
Palmerston North: August 17–September 3 — Event Cinemas
Gisborne: August 24–September 3 — Odeon Multiplex
Nelson: August 23–September 10 — The Pastorius-Waller Theatre at Suter Art Gallery
Timaru: August 38–September 3 — Movie Max Digital
Gore: August 38–September 3 — SBS St James Theatre

Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival will run from July–September 2023. For more information, head to the festival website.