Aotearoa’s Oscar-qualifying Festival Celebrates 20 Years

Doc Edge Festival proudly marks its 20th anniversary with the first release of films for its 2025 programme, running from 25 June to 24 August. With its Oscar-qualifying status secured for another three years, the festival continues to attract world premieres, cementing its reputation on both the local and international circuit.

The 20th-anniversary programme will be screened in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. Auckland kicks off the festival with films at Bridgeway Cinema, The Capitol Cinema, and SkyCity Theatre (25 June – 13 July), while the immersive exhibition will be hosted at Silo 6. The city will also host Doc Edge's industry events (30 June – 3 July) and the prestigious Oscar-qualifying Awards Ceremony (3 July).

Doc Edge’s Virtual Cinema will also be available nationwide from 28 July – 24 August for those unable to attend in person.

The 20th Doc Edge festival promises a diverse range of bold and impactful films covering climate change, social issues, human rights, and the arts.

First Films Announcement:
World Premieres

• BEFORE THE MOON FALLS
  Dir. Kimberlee Bassford | USA | 2025 | 99 mins
  An intimate portrait of pioneering Samoan writer Sia Figiel, whose rise to international acclaim is shadowed by her struggles with bipolar disorder, childhood trauma, and personal demons. A shocking murder brings her complex journey to a tragic end.
• CARROUSEL
  Dir. Pascal Messaoudi | France | 2025 | 84 mins
  Our existence is full of paradoxes. In France's most polluted region, a small industrial town thrives amidst heavy industry. People swim, fish, dance, and celebrate life, despite the constant noise of trucks, furnaces, and supertankers. At the town’s entrance, Natalie’s food truck has stood for thirty years.
• CLICK THE LINK BELOW
  Dir. Audun Amundsen | Norway | 2025 | 1034 mins
  Exposing the murky world of online money-making gurus, where lavish lifestyles clash with broken dreams and shattered promises of wealth.
• THE DANCER
  Dir. Lacey Uhlemeyer | USA | 2025 | 90 mins
  The story of Ahmad Joudeh, an LGBTQI+ Syrian-born dancer, who battles war and inner conflict to discover the true meaning of home through dance.
• DEVILS ON HORSES
  Dir. Edward Sampson | New Zealand | 2025 | 85 mins
  Exploring the deep bond between soldiers and their horses in the harsh desert, showing how these animals provided comfort, security, and emotional stability during the horrors of war.
• FOOD DELIVERY
  Dir. Baby Ruth Villarama | Philippines | 2025 | 85 mins
  Documenting the Filipino fishermen, Coast Guard, and Navy as they deliver food to communities in the contested West Philippine Sea while defending their livelihoods and national sovereignty.
• MIGHTY INDEED
  Dir. Vanessa Wells | New Zealand | 2025 | 90 mins
  A character-driven film set in Antarctica, blending stunning wildlife and scenery while addressing climate change with wit and warmth. It follows three women over four decades as they push the boundaries of science.
• OS BARCOS
  Dir. Vincent Boujon | France | 2025 | 86 mins
  In a former Brazilian fishing village, the restaurant terrace of Mônica’s eatery has become a trendy spot thanks to influencers. But behind this perfect image, the residents struggle to survive amid rising tourism and wealth disparity.
• SHAYNI IN THE SKY
  Dir. Gabriel Garton | New Zealand, USA | 80 mins | 2024
  A BASE jumper from New Zealand returns to the Norwegian mountain where her husband died in a tragic accident. She carries his ashes, their baby, and their memories on her life-changing journey.

Other Premieres

• THE DATING GAME
  Dir. Violet Du Feng | USA, UK, Norway | 2025 | 86 mins | Asia Pacific Premiere
  In China, where eligible men vastly outnumber women, three bachelors join an intensive seven-day dating camp in a final attempt to find love.
• THE LIONS ON THE RIVER TIGRIS
  Dir. Zaradasht Anne Ahmed | Norway, Netherlands | 2025 | 92 mins | Asia Pacific Premiere
  Mosul, once the promised Caliphate of ISIS/Daesh, bears the scars of liberation. Can the people heal their broken souls?
• STRANGE JOURNEY: THE STORY OF ROCKY HORROR
  Dir. Linus O’Brien | USA | 90 mins | 2025 | International Premiere
  A deep dive into the origins and enduring impact of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a cult film that continues to resonate with audiences and pop culture.
• WILDBOY
  Dir. Toby Schmutzler | New Zealand, Germany | 2024 | 92 mins | International Premiere
  Brando, a young Kiwi with ADHD, embarks on extraordinary adventures across untouched landscapes, seeking purpose and escape from societal norms.
• YUMI – THE WHOLE WORLD
  Dir. Felix Golenko | Germany | 2025 | 80 mins | International Premiere
  Three courageous law students from the South Pacific fight for their homeland’s survival in the face of climate change and political threats.
• YURLU COUNTRY
  Dir. Yaara Bou Melhem | Australia | 2025 | 85 mins | International Premiere
  An intimate portrait of an Aboriginal elder's final year as he strives to preserve his culture and heal his homeland, scarred by the largest contaminated site in the Southern Hemisphere.

Dan Shanan, Director of Doc Edge, said, "Doc Edge's 20th anniversary is not just about celebrating the past—it's about pushing the boundaries of what documentary can achieve. This year's festival is a celebration of bold storytelling, with films that challenge, inspire, and ultimately transform how we see the world."

The full programme and tickets will be live from 9 May, with tickets available via the festival’s website.

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