The Sunny Side Up Children’s Film Festival is going on a national tour across New Zealand this April, bringing fun film sessions to Auckland, Christchurch and Hamilton. The festival is made for primary-aged children, mainly those aged 5 to 12, and promises a lively and interactive experience. It was created by Tauranga teenager Milli, who wanted to make cinema feel magical, joyful and welcoming for young audiences. Now in its fifth year, the festival is growing beyond Tauranga and sharing its sunny spirit with more families around Aotearoa.
The tour begins in Auckland on 8 April at UXBRIDGE Arts Centre, with sessions at 10am and 1pm. It then travels to Christchurch on 10 April, where films will be shown at the Art Gallery Theatre at 10.30am and 1.30pm. The final stop is Hamilton on 14 April at Waikato Museum, with screenings at 10.15am, 12.30 pm and 2.30pm. Each session runs for 90 minutes, making it a good fit for younger viewers.
The festival will show a set of short films from around the world, including animation, stop-motion and live-action stories. Some of the featured films come from New Zealand, while others come from countries such as Germany, South Africa, Argentina, the United Kingdom and the United States. Organisers say the films have been carefully chosen to make children laugh, think and use their imaginations. There will also be games, prizes and chances for the audience to join in, which makes it different from an ordinary trip to the cinema.
Tickets cost $8 per person or $28 for a family pass, and door sales are $10 if seats are still available.
Auckland Tickets: CLICK HERE
Christchurch Tickets: CLICK HERE
Hamilton Tickets: CLICK HERE
