The North Island Film Festival (NIFF) aims to showcase the beauty and resilience of North Island life & culture by supporting North Island filmmakers to share their work through workshops and accessible, community-oriented public screening events.

NIFF Constitution:

Uplift North Island artists and filmmakers by presenting and celebrating their work
Connect North Island artists and filmmakers with each other through the collaborative process of filmmaking, film education, and media literacy development.
Produce initiatives that strengthen film community, film education, and media literacy on the North Island
Offer financially accessible opportunities for North Island community members to participate in NIFF film and media events and initiatives.
Showcase the beauty and resilience of North Island life and culture.

Rules & Terms

Submission Guidelines & Selection Criteria — NIFF 2026
Submission Requirements
What: One completed film (30 seconds– ~5 minutes)
Topic & Genres: Open*
Who: Filmmakers who live, work or have a meaningful connection to the North Island*
When: Deadline August 14th
How: Submit via Filmfreeway/northislandfilmfest, or reach out to northislandfilmfest@gmail.com for assistance
Price of Submission: $0
*Content Guidelines
Consent
Filmmakers are responsible for obtaining consent from all participants involved in their film.
Freedom of Expression + Boundaries
This festival holds space for stories that challenge and illuminate without diminishing others.
Films will not be considered if they promote exclusion, or hostility toward groups of people in any way.
Connection to Land and Communities
NIFF welcomes stories from a wide range of perspectives.
If you wish to represent a community or place in your film, we ask that you have a meaningful connection to that community and place.