A celebration of local stories by local talent
The CoroCine Film Festival is back for 2025, shining a spotlight on Coromandel’s growing community of filmmakers. From 22-24 August, the festival will light up MTC-Mercury Twin Cinemas, Whitianga with a curated three-day programme showcasing films made by, about, and for the Coromandel.
“The local arts scene has long been a reason to travel the Coromandel loop,” says Anne-Maree McDougall, co-owner of MTC-Mercury Twin Cinemas. “We’ve got storytellers, visual artists, and a growing wave of filmmakers who deserve a place on the big screen.”
CoroCine 2025 will launch with heart, grit, and purpose on Friday 22 August, with a special opening night screening of The Justice of Bunny King.
The powerful Kiwi drama will not only open the festival in style – it will also serve a deeper cause, raising funds for the Monday Community Meals Programme, which provides warm meals to locals who need them.
Directed By Thames-based Gaysorn Thavat, The Justice of Bunny King stars Essie Davis as Bunny, a fiercely determined mother battling the system to reunite with her children.
“We wanted to open CoroCine 2025 with a film that reflects the courage and creativity we see in our own community,” says Anne-Maree.
“This film is a tribute to determination in the face of hardship – and what better way to honour that than by helping feed local families.” CoroCine isn’t just a celebration – it’s a call to action. The festival aims to inspire first-time filmmakers, hobbyists, and hidden talents to pick up a camera, tell their stories, and know that there’s a home-grown festival ready to screen their work.
So whether you’re a film lover, a creative, or just curious – make a date with CoroCine this August. Come for the beaches, stay for the stories.
Coromind is stoked to be partnering with Mercury Twin Cinemas for the CoroCine Festival!
We’re committed to supporting and promoting arts events created by locals, and to backing initiatives that bring opportunities and meaningful experiences to our community. We love the big screen and have a deep appreciation for the Mercury Twin Cinemas whānau!
Stay tuned for the full line-up, tickets, and more info about the festival!
What’s playing for CoroCine 2025?
GAYSORN THAVAT – WRITER-DIRECTORSelf confessed “Hermitess in the hills” from Kauaeranga, Hauraki. The Justice of Bunny King’ was her debut feature and premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2021, where Gaysorn was nominated for the Nora Ephron Award, and her two leads picked up accolades for their powerful performances. It was released theatrically in North America in 2022 to positive reviews, with a 95% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Frederick Pokai Collection #2
Short films featuring Frederick Pokai – writer, actor, director. Our Movie Lovers raved about the first one we screened in 2023.
With great bawdiness and camaraderie, an eclectic rugby team of farmers strive to redeem themselves from a long run of bitter losses. A cinema verite study of contemporary manhood as observed through the rites and rituals of a rural New Zealand rugby club.
The Tavern follows 5 small town guys who have a race against time to save their beloved yet run down Tavern from an evil big city property developer with sinister plans. This movie has been hailed as the NZ version of “The Castle” It’s fun, it’s irreverent and it features a host of characters that will feel SO familiar to you!
Come enjoy a smorgasbord of shorts from or about talented Coromandel creatives. Music, drag queens, home schooling, Coromandel artists and more.
Filmmaker Josh Hamblin. Starring Johnson Manukau – Mercury Bay Area School alumni. Home grown, Whiti-City star!
A blue-collar worker falls into a magical world and finds himself embroiled in a battle with a violent butterfly. Josh and Johnson will be with us for the film.
A stunning audiovisual experience of Splore. Filmed over seven years during a three-day music and art festival, Splore, the film is a cinematic celebration of human connections and our need for play. For decades this festival has created a safe space for playfulness on land that is blessed by the local iwi. Producer Lani Feltham’s summers were spent in the Coromandel with her grandparents. We welcome her and filmmaker Serena Stevenson for a Q and A after the film.
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