Rā Whānau ki a Whale Rider! Join us in a rousing rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ and help director Niki Caro blow out twenty candles in celebration of Whale Rider’s 20th anniversary screening.
Genre: Feature
Rating: PG
Recommended for: Ages 9+ years
Set at the East Coast town of Whāngārā, and coupling a specific sense of place and Māori culture with a universal coming-of-age story, Whale Rider tells the tale of Pai, who challenges tradition and embraces the past in order to find the strength to lead her people forward.
Genre: Collection of TV Episodes
Rating: G
Recommended for: Ages 3+ years
It’s time for Saturday morning TV like never before, with our selection of brilliant TV episodes from some of our favourite small screen creators, shared on the Embassy’s glorious big screen — including Kiri and Lou and Bluey.
Genre: Feature
Rating: PG
Recommended for: Ages 11+ years
A young boy, with the brilliant nickname ‘Courgette’, is sent to a children’s home in this frank, affecting and expressive stop-motion animation about kids finding strength through solidarity.
Genre: Feature
Rating: PG
Recommended for: Ages 9+ years
This remarkable LAIKA studio feature boasts epic fantasy scope, and incredible stop-motion animation. Humble and clever Kubo accidentally summons a spirit from the heavens, and determined to fulfill an age-old vendetta, goes on the run.
Recommended for: For ages 9+
Discover the magic of stop-motion and the buzz of collaborative animation process in this hands-on workshop led by internationally acclaimed stop-motion animator extraordinaire Ant Elworthy (Kiri and Lou, Kubo and The Two Strings, My Life as a Courgette, Coraline, Isle Of Dogs, Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride). Design your very own character then bring it to animated life.
Come and take a line for a walk in this guided art activity, and see what kind of illustrated animal it might turn into.
Phenomenal paper artist Takayo Ukai needs your help to complete her Ponyo tribute origami mobile installation. Join Takayo and see her meticulous mahi up close. Make one origami goldfish to take home with you, and leave another to become a special piece of Takayo’s collective artwork.
The North Lounge will be jumping today, led by Koffie Fugah, founder of the Kadodo West African Drum and Dance School. Koffie, a master performer and story-teller from Ghana, will generously share his heart for African culture through traditional songs, dance and drumming. Feel the rhythm when you hear the drum speak.
Find a cosy little North Lounge corner, and lose yourself in a brilliant book, thanks to our inspirational friends at Gecko Press and Verb Wellington. Independent publisher Gecko Press translates remarkable books for inquisitive kids by some of the world’s best writers and illustrators.
Genre: Long Shorts,
Rating: G
Recommended for: Ages 4+ years
His eyes are orange, his tongue is black, he has purple prickles all over his back! Not one but two award-winning, animated films starring the beloved Gruffalo, based on the classic books by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
Genre: Feature
Rating: PG
Recommended for: Ages 7+ years
Meet Marcel, a tiny talking shell, and the surprise hit of NZIFF 2022, as he embarks on his big-hearted big-screen stop-motion adventure, as tender and funny as it is insightful and poignant.
Stop by the North Lounge for delicious treats from our friends the Shelley Bay Baker, Tomboy Cakery, Fix & Fogg, Zany Zeus, Karma Kola and Good Fortune Coffee.
Genre: Animated Short Film
Rating: PG
Recommended for: Ages 4+ years
A collection of best-loved Square Eyes favourite animated short fims, guaranteed to engage and inspire both curious young minds and indie-animation-loving grown-ups.
