The Sampler

Highlights of the festival are collected together in this package of short films. Equal parts moving and silly, you’ll find here stories of triumph, friendship, fantastic creatures, and familial love. Stars include the likes of Joanna Lumley and Ben Whishaw, alongside local actors who shine. An excellent way to sample Show Me Shorts like a box of chocolates. Join us for some sweet treats!

Run time: 105 min

Rating: M - Offensive language, nudity & suicide references

There are open caption screenings of The Sampler in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. For those listings, click here. 

A regional variation of The Sampler, featuring an additional film, Cold Feet, screens in Hamilton, Dunedin, Alexandra, Arrowtown and Invercargill. For those listings, click here.

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Aotearoa - Ka Awatea

The characters in this collection of homegrown short films are making sense of the world after a difficult time or crisis. They rise to meet their challenges, be they connection, redemption, justice, closure, understanding or peace. Ka pō, ka ao, ka awatea. From within the darkness comes light and a new day.

Run time: 97 min

Rating: M - Violence, domestic violence, offensive language & drug use.

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Dystopian Dreams

Imagine the world as you know it has shifted… forward into the future. The characters in this collection of science fiction short films are grappling with a new reality. Technology has advanced to a point where robots both serve and stalk us, and medical science can cure us with a single pill. Is it worth having your creativity stifled? Would you dare to cross a city in chaos, or blast into space to save our planet?

Run time: 89 min

Rating: M - Violence, offensive language, nudity, sexual references & content that may disturb.

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Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Nelson, Stewart Island Phil Houghton Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Nelson, Stewart Island Phil Houghton

Deeper Into Love

Romance is underrated. Humans are hard-wired for it. The spark of forging a new connection, the flutter of walking down the aisle, and the warm feeling of safety in the arms of a partner who has made a lifelong commitment. The stories in this collection of short films pay homage to romantic love of all kinds.

Run time: 95 min

Rating: M - Sex scenes, sexual references & offensive language

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Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Stewart Island Phil Houghton Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Stewart Island Phil Houghton

Lives in the Firing Line

The stories of these short films take place in conflict zones around the globe. In times of high pressure it is our humanity that will save us. Hot spots of tension and fear create unexpected heroes. These simple stories of everyday people forging connections amid the chaos are inspiring and full of hope.

Run time: 94 min

Rating: M - Violence & offensive language

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Defy Expectations

The rules and norms of society and social groups can be a lot of pressure. How do we fit in? Do we dare stand out? The stakes are high for the characters in these short films as they try to navigate their paths. Friction comes from fellow passengers on the train or bus, teammates on the court, or friends in the backyard or paddock. 

Run time: 102 min

Rating: M Violence, offensive language, sexual references, nudity & bullying

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The Sampler (Open Captions)

Join us for these special open captions screenings of The Sampler. Highlights of the festival are collected together in this package of short films. Equal parts moving and silly, you’ll find here stories of triumph, friendship, fantastic creatures, and familial love. Stars include the likes of Joanna Lumley and Ben Whishaw, alongside local actors who shine. An excellent way to sample Show Me Shorts like a box of chocolates. Join us for some sweet treats!

Run time: 105 min

Rating: M - Offensive language, nudity & suicide references

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Closed Caption Bundle (On Demand)

All the films in our programme that have closed captions for the hearing impaired collected in one bundle.

This features all the films from The Sampler, Aotearoa Ka Awatea and a few bonus films.

Rated M.

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Audio Described Bundle (On Demand)

This collection is an audio described variation of our Aotearoa - Ka Awatea session, specially made for those with low vision. Individual audio description tracks have been created for each film by Able. The films are viewable On Demand, in two versions, with audio descriptions and without, depending on the needs of your household.

Aotearoa - Ka Awatea

The characters in this collection of homegrown short films are making sense of the world after a difficult time or crisis. They rise to meet their challenges, be they connection, redemption, justice, closure, understanding or peace. Ka pō, ka ao, ka awatea. From within the darkness comes light and a new day.

Run time: 97 min

Rating: M - Violence, domestic violence, offensive language & drug use.

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