Auckland (Avneet Kaur)
New Zealand’s first nationwide film festival dedicated exclusively to Indian cinema moved a step closer to reality this week, with Bollywood actors Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha joining NZ media, filmmakers and dignitaries at a special launch event in Auckland on Thursday.
Held at the Indian Consulate in Auckland CBD, the launch officially introduced the Indian Film Festival of New Zealand (TIFFNZ), which is set to take place across Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch from 23 to 25 October 2026.
The festival is the brainchild of Petrina D’Rozario, who founded and will direct the inaugural event. Organisers say TIFFNZ aims to celebrate the diversity of Indian cinema while creating new opportunities for cultural exchange and collaboration between New Zealand and India’s screen industries.
The launch attracted strong interest from the Indian community, film enthusiasts and industry representatives. Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha proved a major drawcard, spending considerable time meeting attendees and posing for photographs following the event and screening.
Among those addressing the gathering were India’s Consul General to New Zealand, Dr Madan Mohan Sethi, and Labour MP Priyanca Radhakrishnan.
During the event, D’Rozario shared further details about the upcoming festival, revealing that around 30 feature films and short films will be showcased during the three-day programme. Alongside film screenings, the festival will feature industry workshops, masterclasses and networking sessions designed to strengthen connections between filmmakers, producers and creative professionals from both countries.
A key announcement from the launch was the opening of submissions for a dedicated short film programme. Emerging and established filmmakers are being invited to submit their work, with entry deadlines set for 1 July and 14 July.
Organisers say the festival is about more than entertainment. They hope it will serve as a platform for storytelling, cultural understanding and industry collaboration while showcasing the growing influence of Indian cinema in New Zealand.
