This spring, the Coromandel Peninsula will host a new film festival that promises to spotlight local talent and invigorate the regional arts scene. The CoroCine Film Festival, set to take place from September 6 to 8, will be the inaugural event of the Coromandel Artbeat Spring Festival.
The CoroCine Film Festival represents a collaborative effort between Creative Coromandel and Twin Cinemas Whitianga, marking the first time Coromandel films and filmmakers will be showcased in such a comprehensive format. Fiona Cameron, Chairwoman of Creative Coromandel, emphasized the festival’s role in bringing regional talent into the spotlight and fostering a sense of community among local creators.
“Coromandel’s vibrant arts scene is beginning to rival its renowned beaches as a reason to visit,” said Cameron. “With so much talent emerging from the peninsula, it was only a matter of time before our filmmakers were given the opportunity to shine.”
The festival will feature a range of films from established international filmmakers, including James Muir’s Mauri o te Kauri, Amy Taylor’s Milked, and Kirsty Griffin and Viv Kernick’s The House of Champions, alongside works from emerging local filmmakers and short films.
Opening the festival will be Anton Steel’s The Z Nail Gang, a film based on true events in Kūaotunu, where locals protested against a planned gold mine. The program also includes Daniel Leo Max’s documentary Baring Our Souls, which chronicles a Tairua man’s healing journey through art, reflecting the festival’s theme of art as a unifying force.
The CoroCine Film Festival is the first event of the Coromandel Artbeat Spring Festival, a three-month celebration of creativity across the peninsula. This festival, running from September to December, aims to offer a diverse array of artistic events, including experimental community music and the Steampunk Festival in Thames.
Anne-Maree McDougall, owner of Twin Cinemas, played a pivotal role in organizing the festival. Her previous collaboration with local photographer Ian Preece, which led to a sold-out screening of his film Starry Starry Night, highlighted the demand for local film exposure and inspired the creation of CoroCine.
McDougall envisions the festival expanding to include Q&A sessions and workshops, providing valuable networking opportunities and educational resources for local filmmakers. She sees this as an investment in the future of regional cinema and hopes to see future Oscar winners trace their beginnings back to CoroCine.
The Coromandel Artbeat Spring Festival, now in its second year, aims to promote and support a wide range of artistic endeavors. Cameron noted that last year’s festival featured 70 events, showcasing the Coromandel’s rich creative spirit. This year, Artbeat will continue to offer a platform for artists across various disciplines and encourage visitors to explore the peninsula’s scenic and artistic offerings.
Participation in the festival is open to all creatives, with free registration for event inclusion. Cameron encourages local and visiting artists alike to join the celebration and experience the vibrant artistic community of the Coromandel Hauraki rohe.
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