Whale Rider (20th Anniversary)

On the east coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people believe their presence there dates back to a single ancestor, Paikea, who escaped death when his canoe capsized by riding to shore on the back of a whale. From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea's direct descendants. Pai, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny.

Critic Reviews:

• " Keisha Castle-Hughes deservedly earned a Best Actress Academy Award nomination for her startling film debut. " – Matt Brunson (Film Frenzy)

• " [A] heartfelt drama about gender, culture and generational clashes. " – Tom Meek (Cambridge Day)

• " Poignant and powerful, this unique family film is simply unforgettable. " – Sandie Angulo Chen (AWFJ Women on Film)