Film festival fever is everywhere, Cityscapers – the full programme for the Christchurch edition of the New Zealand International Film Festival 2019 was released in mid-July, and boasts an impressive 84 films from all seven continents.

Whittling down the extensive programme can be a time consuming process. To ease the burden, we’ve done the legwork and put together our top picks for the upcoming festival, which runs from 8 – 25 August at the Isaac Theatre Royal and Lumière Cinemas in the Arts Centre.

As well as titles direct from the Cannes and Sundance festivals, there are some exceptional new New Zealand films showing, including Tearepa Kahi’s Herbs: Songs of Freedom and Tony Sutorius’ Helen Kelly – Together, a moving documentary of the last year of the unionist’s life.

Both Kahi and Sutorius will meet and take questions from audiences at screenings of their films.

For those keen to support local, Christchurch director Martin Sagadin’s Spring Interlude, an independent film made right here, will have its world premiere at the festival.

Check out the Cityscape team’s other top picks below:

Amazing Grace – This electrifying film featuring Aretha Franklin was cut from footage shot in 1972 as the Queen of Soul recorded an album live at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles.

The Amazing Jonathan Documentary – If you loved David Farrier’s quirky documentary Tickled, you’re in for a treat with The Amazing Jonathan Documentary. The film follows popular comic magician John Szeles in the wake of a serious diagnosis. Director Ben Berman is granted access into all parts of Szeles’ life, but soon strikes trouble separating fact from fiction.

Maiden – Alex Holmes tells the story of the first female crew to compete in the gruelling Whitbread Round the World Race (now the Ocean Race). Born from infuriation at the inherent sexism in the sport, this is an eye-opening feature with exhilarating footage and a stirring story.

By the Balls – Featuring former All Blacks John Kirwan, David Kirk, Wayne ‘Buck’ Shelford and Grant Fox, this documentary looks back at one of the darkest periods in rugby history – the turbulent lead-up to the 1987 World Cup.

Brittany Runs a Marathon – This one is for the rom-com fans in the building! The film follows twentysomething New Yorker Brittany as she tries to turn her life around for the better. The endearing comedy avoids cliché storylines around self-empowerment, instead painting Brittany as a multi-layered person we can all see a piece of ourselves in.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire – Considered by many to be the best film at Cannes (it did win Best Screenplay), this is the latest feature from outstanding French director Celine Sciamma. It takes us back to the late 1700s to relay a love story between two women that is both ravishing and bewitching.

Ask Dr Ruth – A film as spirited as its subject, Dr Ruth Westheimer. One of America’s most popular media personalities, Dr Ruth frankly discussed sexual dynamics, AIDS and women’s pleasure at the height of the Reagan era.

Celebration: Yves Saint Laurent – This documentary captures the great couturier as he created his last collection. Shot between 1998 and 2001, the film’s release has been blocked till now after one of Laurent’s former business partners took exception to its portrayal of the fashion great.

You can check out the full festival programme here