The wait is over!

After a few sneak peeks at what is to come at the 2015 New Zealand International Film Festival the full line-up and schedule for Auckland has finally been announced!

There are so many to choose from but here are our Top 10 Picks of what to definitely have on your list this year:

Ex Machina

The much talked about sci-fi film of this year will finally be reaching our shores!

The film is about a young programmer, played by Domhnall Gleeson, who gets picked to work on a breakthrough experiment by examining the human behaviour of a female AI, played by Alicia Vikander in a truly outstanding performance.

The film also stars the brilliant Oscar Isaac as the reclusive AI genius. I'm keen to see that dance scene that everyone seemed to be talking about when it premièred at the 2015 SXSW Film Festival.

Side note: If you're a fan of Oscar Isaac then also check out A Most Violent Year.

Amy

Amy is the documentary film about the life and death of soul singer and songwriter Amy Winehouse.

It is directed by Asif Kapadia who also directed the well known Senna film.

Amy presents an inclusive look at the life of singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse, including the story of her success and subsequent downfall.

“I'm not a girl trying to be a star, I'm just a girl that sings…”

Coming Home

Well known Chinese director, Zhang Yimou partners up again with actress Gong Li in Coming Home.

The film is adapted from the novel The Criminal Lu Yanshi, it centres around a couple, Lu and Feng, forced to separate when Lu is sent to a labour camp as a political prisoner during the Cultural Revolution.

Once Lu returns home he finds that his wife no longer remembers him so tries to reawaken his wife's memory.

Dope

Dope is a comedy following three high school geeks living in a part of Inglewood, California called “The Bottoms”.

The film has been described as a hip-hop update of Risky Business.

If you're a fan of this music genre and in particular the 90s hip-hop era then this film is for you.

Dope is produced by Forest Whitaker with music by Pharrell Williams and stars Zoe Kravitz, A$AP Rocky with a debut performance by Shameik Moore.

Inherent Vice

Inherent Vice is based on the novel by Thomas Pynchon set in the 70s about LA private investigator Larry “Doc” Sportello investigating the disappearance of a former girlfriend.

The film has a host of stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Josh Brolin, Owen Wilson, Katherine Waterston, Reese Witherspoon and Benicio del Toro.

Interesting to note is the musical score composed by Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood and features an unreleased Radiohead song called “Spooks”.

When Marnie Was There

A must for Studio Ghibli fans, When Marnie Was There is said to be the final film for Studio Ghibli after the announced closure of the film division and the retirement of Hayao Miyazaki.

The story is about Anna who becomes ill and is sent to her aunt and uncle's home by the sea where she meets a mysterious new friend, Marnie.

With animation by Yonebayashi Hiromasa (Arrietty), this film will appeal to young and old.

Cemetery of Splendour

Cemetery of Splendour is a Thai film which debuted at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. A group of soldiers mysteriously fall into a kind of sleeping sickness and is tended for by a lonesome housewife who has powers of a medium.

The film has a spiritual element that crosses over into reality and seems part of the ordinary.

“A couple of years ago I saw Weerasethakul's film ‘Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives’. It had a massive effect on me. So I am very keen to see another film from this director.” – Olly (Category Assistant Monkey)

The Wolfpack

A doco about a family who home-schooled and raised their seven children in the confinement of their apartment in New York.

Their father only lets the kids leave the apartment on very few strict occasions.

They learn about the outside world through films and spend their time re-enacting their favourite films using elaborate home made props and costumes.

“This film just sounds really interesting to me, it was the first film on my list when it was announced.” – Roopa (Buying Gorilla)

The Invitation

While attending a dinner party at his former home, a man thinks his ex-wife and her new husband have sinister intentions for their guests.

“I'm always keen for a good thriller! This one sounds really suspenseful, there doesn't seem to be too many horrors and Thrillers this year so I'm holding out for this one.” – Roopa (Buying Gorilla)

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night is a debut feature film from Ana Lily Amirpour.

It is set in the Iranian ghost-town Bad City and follows The Girl, a lonesome vampire.

It is not your typical vampire film and you can see references of other genres influencing the director like spaghetti westerns and graphic novels.

The film is shot entirely in black and white which gives it a classic feel. This is one not to be missed on the big screen!

If you missed any films from last years festival swing by and check out our 2014 NZIFF range on DVD and Blu-ray!

Auckland tickets will go on sale from 26 June. Wellington schedule will be announced on Thursday, tickets will go on sale from 1 July.

Let us know what are you looking forward to seeing by commenting below!

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From the Movie Gorilla