Top of the South Film Festival Nelson

The 6th annual Top of the South Film Festival presents the best short films produced in our stunning region during the past year, from drama to documentaries, horror to comedy, thriller to romance, music videos to science fiction.

The Festival is proud to celebrate our 6th year of showcasing local film making. During this short time, we've established ourselves as one of New Zealand's most promising and unique young film festivals. The TS Film Festival focuses on film submissions from Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough and Kaikoura residents and gives these aspiring regional filmmakers an opportunity to premiere their films on the big screen.

The 2020 Festival in Nelson features seven screenings including our first ever “National Entries” event and a very special Sunday night screening of Producer/Director/Writer Oren Peli’s “Paranormal Activity” - one of the most profitable films ever.

All proceeds from the festival fund the “Top of the South Film Production Society,” a non-profit incorporated society open to anyone interested in making films. 100% of the Festival proceeds go to support and nurture local filmmakers, enabling them to make films in our unique Top of the South. Our long-term goal is to establish a thriving Top of the South film production industry and provide employment opportunities for filmmakers within the region.

Note: Young TS Filmmakers screenings are rated PG

Schedule of screenings:
Friday, Nov 20 – Suter Theatre, Nelson
5 – 6:30 pm – Savage & Savage Silver Reel - $15
6 – 7 pm – Red Carpet Event
7:30 – 9 pm – Gold Reel - $20

Saturday, Nov 21 – Suter Theatre, Nelson
10:30 or 11 am – Young TS Filmmakers screening - $5 and $10
1 – 2:30 pm –Young TS Filmmakers screening - $5 and $10
3 – 4 pm – Tuia 250 Voyage documentary - Free
4:30 – 6 pm – Pomeroy’s Aotearoa Filmmakers Screening - $15
6 – 7 pm – Red Carpet Event
7 – 9 pm – Gold Reel - $20
9 pm – late - Afterparty

Sunday, Nov 22 – Suter Theatre, Nelson
6 – 7 pm – Red Carpet and closing night socializing
7 – 8:30 pm – Paranormal Activity Feature Film - $20
8:30 – 9:15 pm – Q&A with Writer/Director Oren Peli and Doug Brooks