Critically acclaimed New Zealand film Big Girls Don't Cry opens across Aotearoa on October 8th and in anticipation of the release we have a tickets to give away to five lucky Wifites!
You can check out every cinema playing the film by heading to the website HERE and as of writing it will roll out nationwide with locations in Auckland, Dunedin, Hamilton, Taranaki, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch and other regional sites.
Written and directed by Paloma Schneideman, co-produced by WIFT NZ member Vicky Pope, the film took the prestigious opening night slot at the Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival.
"Playing out during the era of dial-up internet, dubstep and MSN, Big Girls Don’t Cry is a raw, lingering reflection on the clumsy bravado that is growing up, exploring queer adolescence, female shame and burgeoning sexuality. From the casual cruelty of teenagers to the indignity of being caught in a white lie told to seem cool, Sid’s search for approval is excruciatingly recognisable for anyone who has ever felt confused, isolated, desperate to fit in or terrified to be found out.
The film premiered at Sundance Film Festival, where it was a finalist for the World Cinema Dramatic Award. With echoes of Rain (dir. Christine Jeffs, NZIFF 2001) in its sensual, intimate rendering of girlhood, the film belongs to a rare lineage of New Zealand cinema; emotionally raw, psychologically observant works unafraid of vulnerability, longing, awkwardness, and the heightened emotional world of youth. Having had numerous short films programmed at NZIFF (Gate Crash NZIFF 2023, Memory Foam NZIFF 2019, Mine NZIFF 2014), we are honoured to present Paloma Schneideman’s debut feature as our 2026 Opening Night film in its Aotearoa premiere.
- Amanda Robinson (Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival programme)
If you would like to win a double passe to see Big Girls Don't Cry, be one of the first five people to email us here: office@wiftnz.org
.. and name just ONE of Paloma Schneideman's SHORT films which have played at previous NZIFFs.
Good luck! And for a gander at the trailer: watch HERE