The Te Waiwhakaata Wairarapa Film Festival returns and is now on until 3 May 2026 with a rich programme of films, special events, and guest speakers celebrating storytelling through cinema.
This year’s programme includes a Barry Barclay retrospective featuring Wairarapa (1965), and an Annie Goldson retrospective marking 25 years of Georgie Girl. As part of the documentary programme, the Festival also presents The Subject of Documentary, a masterclass with Annie Goldson at Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art & History, exploring the evolving meaning of “subject” in documentary practice, including the relationship between filmmaker and participant and the ethical considerations of non-fiction storytelling.
The Festival also presents the world premiere of By Hand, screening alongside Georgie Girl. By Hand follows Ali and Greg Lang, the last wheelwright and coach painter in Aotearoa New Zealand. Other highlights include Grace: A Prayer for Peace by Dame Gaylene Preston, featuring Dame Robin White in conversation.
Additional events include filmmaker Q&As, panel discussions, and workshops, as well as special screenings of Aliens (40th Anniversary), Red Mole: A Romance (Arrow FM Fundraiser Night), and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Rotary Club of Carterton Fundraiser Night).
The Festival runs across multiple venues in the Wairarapa and offers a wide-ranging programme celebrating film, creativity, and community.