The Third Culture Film Festival, previously run successfully in Hong Kong, has this year attracted 200 film entries from around the globe and New Zealand.

Making the shift from East Asia to Tauranga, the 2024 festival will be re-launching in the Bay of Plenty next weekend.

“The Third Culture Film Festival has always been a platform for showcasing diverse and innovative, cinematic works that challenge and entertain,” says festival founder and director Harry Oram.

“Our move to Tauranga represents not just a new location but a renewed commitment to cultivating a vibrant film scene in the Bay of Plenty region.”

Moxy The Band - You Feel It Too (Animated Music Video), by Evan Doll. In this romantic Sci-Fi music video, two humanoid robots feel the push and pull of love, hesitation, and trust. Photo: Supplied.

Originally established in Hong Kong in 2016, the Third Culture Film Festival, happening at multiple venues across Tauranga from March 8-10, will focus on bridging cultures and fostering creative exchange.

“We're dedicated to providing a platform for both local and international filmmakers to share their stories with audiences far and wide.”

Soraya, a film by Maryam Rahimi. Fearing family prejudices, Soraya, an Iranian woman decides to immigrate illegally by smugglers. Photo: Supplied.

Harry says they want to champion independent filmmaking in Tauranga and showcase the finest selections from around the globe.

“We've handpicked 81 of the most electrifying films from a staggering collection of 200, meticulously curated into 18 blocks of pure movie magic,” says Harry.

Tickets can be purchased as a block of films, with each of the 18 blocks being 45 – 75 minutes long. Day passes and a festival pass are also available.

Dauntless and the Demigod, by Casey Lloyd. The last sworn protector must face off against a demigod in single combat to prove their valor. Photo: Supplied.

The variety of screening blocks designed for the festival are ‘Ethereal Threads’, ‘Love’s Complex Tapestry’, ‘A message to the world’, ‘Fantastical Realities’, ‘Late Night Drives’, ‘Adrenaline and Secrets’, ‘Love Hurts’, ‘Sages of our Time’, ‘This is Not a Dream’, ‘She Stands Strong’, ‘Our Slice of the World’, ‘The Bonds that Bind Us’, ‘A Cross Slice of Kiwi’, ‘The Forbidden Love’, ‘Animated Realities’, and ‘Experimental’, each packed with unique films.

There are also compilation blocks such as ‘Best Of The Fest’ and ‘Family Block’.

The Third Culture Film Festival includes networking opportunities, panels and speaker events over the three-day festival. Photo: Supplied.

With animations, music videos, short films, networking events, panels and speakers, the festival’s film themes cover a wide scope including fashion, love, complex relationships, sci-fi, families surviving during poverty, facing death, suspense, the pursuit of happiness, family, comedy and cyberpunk.

From heart-pounding thrillers to soul-stirring dramas, there's something for every film lover over the three days of the festival.

Award-winning author Lee Murray is a featured speaker during the three-day Third Culture Film Festival in Tauranga. Photo: SunLive.

The panel discussions and speaker topics include breaking into film, navigating the business landscape, women in the film industry, insights for under 25 year old filmmakers, and award-winning author Lee Murray talking about adapting books to screen.

The festival kicks off on Friday March 8 at Luxe Cinemas in Tauranga; shifts to United Cinemas, Bayfair on Saturday, March 9; and then on to Luxe Cinemas Papamoa and Village Community Cinema at Tauranga Historic Village on Sunday, March 10.

The festival also includes an opening and closing ceremony, networking parties and other events throughout the three days.

Tickets can be purchased as a block of films, with each of the 18 blocks being 45 – 75 minutes long. Day passes and a festival pass are also available. Photo: Supplied.

Harry says unique awards will be presented to recognize various achievements in the films being screened.

“From the usual categories like Best Actor and Best Director, there are also specialized awards like the Social Impact Award, given to the film with the best social commentary; or The Spirit Of New Zealand award, which recognizes uniquely Kiwi talent.”

All up, there are 23 Third Culture Film Festival awards for each of the different categories, with the design for the 3D printed trophies being selected from a previously run competition.

Silver, by Hamid Saberi. Silver film is a story of Mrs. Tavakoli, the inspector of a charity organization, who enters a house to check the condition of one of the applicants, the existence of a crisis makes it difficult for her to make a decision. Image: Supplied.

The Third Culture Film Festival, hosted by CRAFT, is supported by TECT, Creative Bay of Plenty, MediaWorks and Tauranga Western Bay Community Event.

Seating at each cinema is limited and festival goers are encouraged to get in fast to buy tickets through Humanitix by clicking here.

For more information on the Third Culture Film Festival which runs from March 8-10 in Tauranga, go to www.tcff.online