The Great Kiwi Flyer Road-Trip

Media release: For immediate release

The Great Kiwi Flyer Road-Trip

Christchurch-based director Tony Simpson will embark on a two week road-trip around New Zealand to promote his new feature film KIWI FLYER, opening in cinemas nationwide on 27 September.

Starting in Christchurch on 24 September, Simpson will do a loop of the South Island in his “Kiwi Flyer” caravan (with Kiwi Flyer trolley in tow) before heading north to Auckland. Along the way, he’ll take in 34 towns, stopping at regional cinemas that are due to screen the film.

Kiwi Flyer, filmed in Nelson, centres around Ben (played by Edward Hall), a 12 year old boy who sets out to win the local trolley derby in memory of his late father. While preparing for the race Ben learns what matters in life when he is forced to battle cheating opponents, dodgy loan sharks and a mother who has banned him from the race.

The film features an ensemble of true-blue Kiwi talent including Tandi Wright (Nothing Trivial) and comedian Dai Henwood (7 Days), as well as the iconic Vince Martin and introduces to the big screen Edward Hall and Tikirau Hathaway.

The director, who co-wrote the film with children’s television veteran Andrew Gunn, will promote Kiwi Flyer to locals through talks at schools, Q&A sessions at cinemas and by simply getting out and speaking to local residents about the film. Simpson will blog about his road trip on the film’s website and facebook page as he travels around the country.

Simpson says, “We have had a fantastic response already and I’m keen to share this fun movie with families up and down the country.”

The director, who has spent over 25 years writing, directing and producing television and film projects in New Zealand, believes that Kiwi audiences will connect with this home-grown film and notes that Kiwi Flyer marks the first New Zealand made feature film for children to be released theatrically in over two decades.

“This is not only an opportunity to promote Kiwi Flyer, but also the New Zealand Film Comission’s support of Kiwi made family films.”

Kiwi Flyer will have its Red Carpet World Premiere at the Theatre Royal in Nelson on 18 September, before commencing in cinemas nationwide on 27 September.

See below for a date when Tony will be in your region. This roadshow was made possible by funding from the New Zealand Film Comission and Rialto Distribution Ltd.

ENDS

Tony’s Tour Schedule:

Monday 24 September
Christchurch
Westport
Greymouth

Tuesday 25 September
Hokitika
Wanaka

Wednesday 26 September
Arrowtown
Alexandra
Gore

Thursday 27 September
Dunedin
Oamaru

Friday 28 September
Timaru
Geraldine
Ashburton

Saturday 29 September
Blenheim
Picton

Sunday 30 September
Wellington
Lower Hutt
Upper Hutt
Paraparaumu

Monday 1 October
Levin
Fielding
Palmerston North

Tuesday 2 October
Pahiatua
Waipukurau
Havelock North

Wednesday 3 October
Napier
Wairoa
Gisbourne

Thursday 4 October
Opotiki
Whakatane
Te Puke

Friday 5 October
Tauranga
Te Awamutu
Hamilton

Saturday 6 October
Auckland

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