Antarctic Film Festival - Riviera Cinema

Next date: Saturday, 16 August 2025 | 06:00 PM to 08:45 PM

The Antarctic Film Festival blends stunning documentary footage, curated by award winning filmmaker Anthony Powell, that reveals the continent’s stark beauty, unforgiving conditions, climate change, and penguin antics with stories captured by inventive and funny entries from the Winter International Film Festival of Antarctica’s 48-Hour Challenge, an annual showcase of creativity and resilience from those who winter-over on the Ice.

But before the movies, you will be introduced to Antarctica via a presentation that shows you 20 facets of Antarctica in 20 minutes, so hang on to your seats!

“It’s about bringing Antarctica to the people of New Zealand, through science, art, humour, and personal connection” says Hubertien Wichers, President of the New Zealand Antarctic Society. “The tour has been very successful, inspiring audiences and connecting the local community through Antarctica. For example, we connected Scouts who went to the Ice in the early 1960’s with young Scouts doing their Antarctic badges, sharing their stories and inspiring the next generation of explorers. But the serious aspect is to raise awareness about the role Antarctica plays in our climate. Antarctica tells us about the history of the planet, the changes that are going on and what the future may hold for us and the next generations.” Hubertien Wichers, President, New Zealand Antarctic Society.

6:00pm – Doors open
6:30pm – Presentation: 20 facets of Antarctica in 20 minutes
7: 00pm – Short Break: Explore Extreme Cold Weather gear provided by Antarctica New Zealand, and browse Antarctic magazines and books.
7:15pm – Film Screenings: Introduction followed by 1 hour and 10 minutes of films.
8:25pm – Wrap-Up: Final remarks
8:30–8:45pm – Event Close: Finish time may vary slightly depending on Q&A length.

Tours at other locations on the South Island: 
https://antarcticsociety.org.nz/events/august-film-festival-dates/

 

 

When

Location

Riviera Cinema, 239 Thames Street, Oamaru, 9400, View Map