Whanganui Film Society

18/06/2026

This Monday we screen The Age of Panic (2013) the debut feature by Justine Triet (Anatomy of a Fall). “The tumultuous, hotly contested 2012 French presidential election, pitting right-winger Nicolas Sarkozy against socialist Francois Hollande, provides the larger maelstrom against which a couple’s custody battle unfolds in French writer-director Justine Triet’s frantic farce Age of Panic.” – Variety

“Blending fiction and documentary in a daringly original framework… Age of Panic stands as one of the exemplary works of modern French cinema, a landmark of what a daringly original filmmaker can do when working in a system of her own.” – Richard Brody, New Yorker

Not a film society member? That's ok – you can join on the night. We screen every Monday night at 7pm at the Davis Theatre (entrance via back carpark). You can buy a 3-trip pass for $30 or join for the rest of the year for just $90.

Ten years before Anatomy of a Fall catapulted her around the globe,...

05/06/2026

We were sad to read of the death of the wonderful director Marjane Satrapi.

The Persepolis author understood us and translated us for the world. We have lost our most eloquent spokesperson

04/06/2026

This Monday we bring you Michel Gondry's weird and wonderful The Science of Sleep (2006) starring Charlotte Gainsbourg and Gael García Bernal. Stephane (Gael García Bernal) moves back in with his French mum after the death of his father. Distraught, he starts a job as a graphic designer that is more photocopying than creation. Overwhelmed by his ‘reality’ world, his dreams sharpen and intensify — soon, his soaring dream life intercedes with his everyday world.

Not a film society member? You can join on the night. We screen at 7pm every Monday night at the Davis Theatre (entry via back carpark behind the Museum). We offer full year memberships for $90 or a 3-trip pass for $30.

THE SCIENCE OF SLEEP - Official Film Trailer - directed by Michel G...

29/04/2026

The Italian Film Festival starts tonight! It runs until 13 May and programmes are available at Embassy 3. Enjoy!

Italian Film Festival starts today!

To book tickets online head to www.embassy3.co.nz

23/04/2026

🎬 MEMBER GIVEAWAY 🎬

The Italian Film Festival returns to Whanganui from 30 April – 13 May at Embassy 3 Wanganui, and we have two double passes to give away to our members.

To enter:
• Comment below with your name
• Make sure your Whanganui Film Society membership is current

We’ll draw one winner at random for a double pass.

The winner can choose their preferred film/session (subject to availability).

Entries close 5pm this Monday 27 April.

Buona fortuna!

22/04/2026

There's no Film Society screening this Monday 27 April… but do head along to a special screening of Field Punishment No #1 (2014), an international award-winning New Zealand film based on the book ‘We will not cease’ about conscientious objectors Archibald Baxter, Mark Briggs, Lawrence Kirwan and others during World War 1.

R16 | Koha appreciated.
Monday 27 April, 7-9pm
Davis Lecture Theatre,
4 Watt Street, Whanganui

Field Punishment No #1 was shown on TVNZ once in 2014 and is no longer available on the Internet.

This is a special screening, with permission and blessing of film production company Lippy Productions. Part of ARTS for Peace project, a national film and theatre tour supported by Quakers Aotearoa.

17/04/2026

This Monday’s film is by Ana Lily Amirpour, the same director who brought us A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, which screened at Film Society in 2023. In it, a young woman with dangerous powers escapes a mental asylum and lets loose on the seedy neon-lit streets of New Orleans. “A demon-out-of-water fairy-tale thriller” – ​Variety

“Mona Lisa’s mash-up of genre influences feels refreshing, occasionally even exhilarating, especially when the killer electronic score kicks into gear… Amirpour always gives us something to look at too: the colours pop… Through the lens of Hereditary cinematographer Pawel Pogorzelski, New Orleans is a goldfish bowl filled with lost souls on one final bender.… It’s irresistible fun.” – Phil de Semlyen, Time Out

1.8K likes, 124 comments. "MONA LISA AND THE BLOOD MOON | Official Trailer | Paramount Movies"

13/04/2026

If your interest in the work of Merata Mita was piqued last night at the Hotere screening, head to NZ on Screen's substantial collection, including full length feature films, TV episodes, essays, and interviews.

The Merata Mita Collection - This collection is devoted to Māori filmmaker Merata Mita — a proud and clear voice for the rights of indigenous peoples to tell their own stories on screen. Watch interviews, legendary Springbok tour documentary Patu!, clips from movie Mauri, and much more. NZ On Scr...

13/04/2026

What a great turnout last night for the Hotere documentary. A big thank you to Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery for collaborating with us and especially to director Andrew Clifford for his fascinating introduction to Hotere and filmmaker Merata Mita. Andrew mentioned an extensive article he had come across about the composer Hirini Melbourne, the director of the score for the film. Here is the article by Paul Diamond, for your reading (and listening!) pleasure.

A collection of audio about Hirini Melbourne.

07/04/2026

We're happy to share the news of a new New Zealand movie that’s touring the motu in April, and screens here in Whanganui at Embassy 3 on 12 April, 7.30pm.

Tickets are available: https://www.embassy3.co.nz/movie/the-weed-eaters

The team behind award-winning new Kiwi comedy-horror film THE W**D EATERS is excited to be hitting the road this week, and taking their acclaimed film around Aotearoa. In Whanganui, the screening at Embassy 3 will be hosted by Anthonie Tonnon.

THE BIG FORKING TOUR blazes across twelve regions on an unmissable 21-stop tour, offering an early chance to see just what’s made THE W**D EATERS such a highly anticipated pic – picking up local praise and international awards.

From Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland to Murihiku Southland, Callum Devlin (director/producer), Finnius Teppett (scriptwriter/producer), and actor-producers Alice May Connolly and Annabel Kean will light up cinema screens with their debut feature,

Already hailed as "the most fun I’ve had at the movies in a long time” by The Spinoff and picked as the favourite film of NZIFF by Flicks, the darkly comic film follows four millennial slackers on a secluded New Year’s getaway. Stumbling across their reclusive host’s long-forgotten stash of ancient cannabis, their holiday high takes a nightmare turn into accidental cannibalism…

As an appetiser for these Q&A screenings, which will let audiences learn more from the filmmaking team (and pose with a six-foot fork - duh), the first course of hosts has been announced. And, in keeping with the variety of treats awaiting THE W**D EATERS moviegoers, the smorgasbord of hosts includes a game chef, actor, farmer, broadcaster, musician, comedian, horror movie director and cinephile.