> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://ninja-pigeon.pikapod.net/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # NZIFF 2026 ranked and reviewed - URL: https://ninja-pigeon.pikapod.net/nziff-2026-ranked-and-reviewed/ - Published: 2026-08-15T01:37:15.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-24T11:08:08.000Z - Author: zhuoyanakl - Tags: life, media and politics, #Migrated-1787569658619, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-24 11:07 Woohoo! I have successfully finished six films at this year's NZ International Film Festival. I am not however a filmbuff and I do not feel confident enough to express my opinions on these films on a public Letterboxd account. So apologies, you're getting my thoughts and vibings out here ![](https://ninja-pigeon.pikapod.net/content/images/2026/08/popcorn_1f37f.png) First I'd start by saying that all the films I saw were very good. Ranking them was very hard! This list is just in terms of pure enjoyment 1. I Want Your Sex 2. Buffet Infinity 3. The Ungrateful Tenant 4. Big Girls Don't Cry 5. Lomu 6. The History of Concrete ## I Want Your Sex This is just such a fun movie. Funny as shit and beautifully fucked up at times, I wouldn't rate it highly on many fronts of what makes a great movie but it's a splendid watch nonetheless. All of the characters are deranged in one way or another in an artificial and fantastical, but performed-to-suit way. Gregg Araki certainly tries to explore some ideas here. I'm not sure how well canvassed they are and especially how fully formed the ideas are to begin with. But I Want Your Sex is still an uproarious watch. Olivia Wilde and Cooper Hoffman are what makes the story work, and they're a joy to watch on screen. My only real critique from an enjoyment perspective would be that the ending could've been way way more fucked up than what it was. Also that I loved Chase Sui Wonders' character and that her storyline could've been way deeper instead of being killed off as soon as it was. ## Buffet Infinity This was the wildcard out of all my NZIFF multi pass selections but I am very glad I didn't pass. Analogue horror is a fascinating growing category on YouTube and TikTok, as is alternate history, and the general proliferation of niches like them. The best way I can describe Buffet Infinity is like Welcome to Nightvale (the cult fictional podcast) meets one of those ARG analogue horror series. I mainly enjoyed it for the extent to which its creators bought into the concept and fully fleshed it out. There are certainly gaps. Many reviews comment on the superiority of enjoyment in the first half - I'd agree. Pacing could be better and it's clear the format helped mask for a small budget, but one which could've still seen some more tweaks. And the concept does feel like you're stretching it by the end. It has a basic critique about capitalism and consumerism but which it doesn't itself develop much - the critique just sits and melts like an ice cube over the course of the film. However endeavouring to make a feature length version of what's usually classified as a YouTube endeavour is not only an admirable effort, but also highly enjoyable for anyone already a fan of such formats, as am I. ## The Ungrateful Tenant This is just a great piece of 4:3 zeitgeist and it's very well put together and enjoyable being a silent film with some excellent performances. ![](https://ninja-pigeon.pikapod.net/content/images/2026/08/image-5.png) Housing in Auckland remains heavily unaffordable despite the fact we're significantly down from a couple years ago. Renting and tenancy laws remain out of date and unsuitable for the requirements of a 21st century working age person. Renting in Auckland's villa belt is a very particular experience perhaps shared only by other Anglosphere cities which have similar "character" protected sections. And this film beautifully captures that zeitgeisty 2010s/2020s experience - both in renter expectations and housing quality - regularly in the shadow of the Sky Tower so you rarely forget what city you're in. I also loved Rhiannon McCaul in this. I did feel like the story could've been better refined to hit beats in a more pacey way. But it was an important movie I enjoyed in a very niche and personalised way. I hope it goes far given its niche and unusual production choices. ## Big Girls Don't Cry Slice of life coming-of-age queer films are a dime a dozen these days but Big Girls Don't Cry would be the first feature-length New Zealand entry in the space. Set in Omaha, north of Auckland, the film is lovingly set and shot. It's certainly not for anyone who doesn't enjoy slice of life films but I really enjoyed seeing a film of its type set in rural New Zealand. Ani Palmer gives a stunning debut act and it's hard to not see her performance as the highlight of the movie. The characters feel realistic and the plot turns feel sensible for the era - especially the technological elements which feel very natural. It's a film that makes you smile, that makes you feel reflective and that's slower moving than part of me wanted, but one that's still very rewarding. I enjoyed it thoroughly. ## Lomu I know nothing about the state of NZ rugby union in the 1990s and know even less about Jonah Lomu. This was an excellent intro to both. It's a carefully put together documentary looking back at the life of one of the All Blacks' all-time greats. Featuring interviews with members of his family, his rugby community, and his ties to Tonga. It's the most comprehensive look back at Lomu's life ever put to paper or on screen and Vea Mafile'o's care and attention is obvious when watching. There are obvious gaps though. His wife and children clearly did not take part - the disagreements about his legacy towards the end of his life aren't cleaned up but deepened. But that doesn't change the fact that it's a remarkable accomplishment of a film and remarkably enjoyable documentary about a great person and iconic Kiwi. It's only further down the list because it's a sports documentary and I mean, what do you expect from me at this point. And sometimes it delves a touch deeply into an assumed baseline of rugby interest, but that's an issue with me - not the film lol. ## The History of Concrete There was nothing wrong with The History of Concrete which led it to being the last film in the list for me. If anything, John Wilson's film kept me captivated longer than any of the rest. It's great for people with short attention spans and a penchant to pivot randomly from topic to topic. If you're one of those, this film will keep you enthralled. There was nothing I felt I really learnt from THOC though, or whose format was special in any kind of way. I've been told it's very in character with Wilson's usual approach and style and I may have to look into this further. It reminded me of Nathan Fielder's work in many ways and I do enjoy his TV series quite a bit. Oh yeah, and like some of the others on the list, the pacing did feel slightly stretched out with the emotional hits of the film coming a bit too late to make up for the fact that they were 1hr and 10 minutes in. Still a great watch though and I enjoyed it!