Show Me Shorts Turns 20 - Nationwide Celebration Begins This October

Aotearoa’s leading short film festival, Show Me Shorts, is celebrating a major milestone this October - 20 years of championing short-form storytelling. The 2025 edition will showcase 83 exceptional short films across 40 venues nationwide, alongside a vibrant line-up of industry events and filmmaker conversations.

View the full programme and book your tickets here.

Opening Nights in Auckland, Wellington & Christchurch

This year’s festival kicks off with three glittering Opening Nights, featuring red carpet arrivals, premieres, and the first look at this year’s programme.

• Auckland Opening Night – 7:00pm Tuesday 7 October 2025 at The Civic. Tickets from Ticketmaster.
• Wellington Opening Night – 7:30pm Thursday 9 October at The Embassy. Tickets from Humanitix.
• Christchurch Opening Night – 6:15pm & 8:30pm Thursday 9 October at Alice Cinema. Tickets from Alice Cinemas.

Tickets are limited and selling fast - early booking is recommended.

Go Behind the Scenes: Industry Events & Talks

For those wanting to deepen their understanding of short-form cinema, the festival offers a range of educational and networking events for filmmakers and screen professionals:

Filmmaker Talks:

These intimate sessions offer insights into the creative process, with directors sharing behind-the-scenes stories and practical reflections on craft.

• Christchurch: Mon 13 Oct, 6:00pm. Tickets from Alice Cinema
• Wellington: Tue 14 Oct, 6:00pm. Tickets from Lighthouse Cinema

Vista Foundation Industry Day (Auckland):

A full-day programme of workshops, panels, and networking with top screen professionals.

• Sun 12 Oct, 12:00pm–8:00pm. Tickets from Humantrix

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