Rialto Distribution

Overview

Rialto Distribution is an Auckland-based independent film distribution company founded in 1991. The company is New Zealand's primary arthouse and prestige film distributor, releasing quality international films theatrically across New Zealand and in some cases jointly with Australian distribution partners. Rialto has built a catalog spanning European arthouse, prestige drama, and quality international productions that serves New Zealand's engaged cinema audience across more than three decades.

New Zealand has a strong cinema culture relative to its population size, with independent cinemas in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and other cities programming quality international content alongside Hollywood releases. Rialto's theatrical releases circulate through this network, with the Rialto Cinemas chain in Auckland providing an owned exhibition platform for its releases.

Rialto Cinemas

Rialto operates the Rialto Cinemas venue in Auckland's CBD, an arthouse cinema that programs both Rialto Distribution releases and selected other quality international films. This owned exhibition platform gives Rialto guaranteed theatrical presence for its releases in New Zealand's largest city and provides a venue for special events, filmmaker appearances, and community film programming.

The integration of distribution and exhibition -- allowing Rialto to program its own releases in its own venue -- mirrors the model used by Curzon in the UK, where owned cinemas strengthen both the distribution and exhibition businesses simultaneously.

What Filmmakers Should Know

For international filmmakers seeking New Zealand theatrical distribution, Rialto is the primary arthouse distribution contact. New Zealand is typically acquired as part of an Australia-New Zealand rights package in international sales deals, though filmmakers working with New Zealand co-production involvement or New Zealand subjects may pursue the territory independently.

New Zealand's theatrical market is small but culturally significant, with an engaged film audience that supports quality international releases and a film culture connected to the Australian and broader English-speaking arthouse market. A Rialto release provides access to New Zealand's cinema community in a way that digital-only distribution cannot replicate.

New Zealand Film Commission

New Zealand's film industry is supported by the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC), which funds production, development, and distribution of New Zealand films. International co-productions with New Zealand creative involvement can access NZFC support, creating financing pathways for international productions seeking New Zealand co-production partners. Rialto's domestic distribution relationships give it context for understanding how NZFC-supported productions fit into the New Zealand distribution landscape.

See Also

For how Australia-New Zealand distribution rights are typically packaged in international sales deals, see Distribution Deals Explained. For Australian theatrical distribution alongside New Zealand, see the Sharmill Films and Palace Films entries in this directory.