DocEdge (New Zealand International Film Festival of Documentary)
New Zealand's dedicated documentary film festival, held annually in May-June in Wellington and Auckland, presenting the best international and New Zealand documentary cinema.
Overview
DocEdge is New Zealand's dedicated documentary film festival, held annually in May and June in Wellington and Auckland. Founded in 2005, the festival screens approximately 40 to 50 documentary films and serves as New Zealand's primary platform for nonfiction cinema, presenting international work alongside New Zealand documentary filmmaking.
The festival runs concurrently in two cities -- the capital Wellington and the largest city Auckland -- providing national reach within New Zealand's geographically dispersed population. DocEdge also operates an industry program, DocEdge Pitch, which provides development support for New Zealand and Pacific documentary projects.
New Zealand's documentary tradition has produced internationally acclaimed films, and DocEdge provides the primary domestic celebration and showcase for this tradition.
Key Sections
- International Documentary Competition -- documentaries competing for jury prizes
- New Zealand Competition -- new New Zealand documentaries
- Pacific Program -- documentaries from Pacific island nations
- DocEdge Pitch -- development pitching forum for NZ and Pacific documentary projects
- Industry Events -- professional programming
What Filmmakers Should Know
DocEdge accepts open submissions. The DocEdge Pitch forum is particularly valuable for New Zealand and Pacific documentary filmmakers seeking development support and broadcaster connections. New Zealand's public broadcaster TVNZ and the New Zealand Film Commission both engage with the festival's industry activities.
Major Awards
- Best International Documentary -- jury prize
- Best New Zealand Documentary
- Best Pacific Documentary
- Audience Award
Festival History
DocEdge was founded in 2005 and has grown into New Zealand's most important documentary event. The festival's dual-city model and industry development activities reflect New Zealand's commitment to building a sustainable documentary sector.
See Also
For Pacific documentary filmmaking, see Documentary Filmmaking Guide. For New Zealand and Pacific cinema, see International Film Markets.
