Ma Olsen comes to a Film Festival screen near you

Save the dates _ Saturday 26 – Sunday 27 October 2024 _ for the Spring Programme of the Wairarapa Film Festival.

This Labour Weekend, you can immerse yourself in local films – past and present – and meet the filmmakers at our special screening events. 

Wairarapa Film Festival’s Spring Programme screenings are held each year at Circus Cinema, Restaurant & Bar, Jellicoe Street, Martinborough.

Back by popular demand, we will be screening Vincent Ward’s Ma Olsen (1977) and the internationally award-winning documentary In Spring One Plants Alone (1981). 

Ma Olsen is Ward’s earliest surviving film, which he made as a young art school student. His subject, Mrs Evelyn Olsen, was a Greytown character of note, who is remembered fondly by many South Wairarapa residents.

Ma Olsen has been fully restored by the Film Preservation Team at Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, and made available to screen exclusively at the Wairarapa Film Festival. Don’t miss this last chance to see Ma Olsen light up the screen at Circus Cinema on Saturday 26 October, at 3:00 p.m.

We will also be presenting a series of short films with a local connection on Sunday 27 October at 3:00 p.m. The programme includes a documentary portrait of Wairarapa wet plate and tin-type photographer, Brian Scadden.

Workshops and masterclasses will also be offered throughout the weekend in both Greytown and Martinborough. The full programme will be live on our website in early October.

Wairarapa region and has been home to celebrated filmmakers, including Vincent Ward, Barry Barclay, Jemaine Clement, Ramai Haywood, Sir Peter Jackson, and James Cameron.

Wairarapa Film Festival invites you to be part of the celebration of local films and stories. Come along and discover the remarkable stories of our people and places.

Check the website and socials for programme updates:  waifilmfest.co.nz @waifilmfest