The Money Stone

Risking their lives underground in search of a golden ticket out of poverty

Hundreds of feet beneath the jungles of Ghana, thousands of sweat-soaked miners squeeze through tiny crevices to dig raw gold to feed an insatiable global industry. Considered outlaws by the government, these "galamsey" have two options - either get rich quick or die trying. As the surging gold rush draws both local prospectors and eager foreign corporations to the impoverished west-African nation, struggling families must decide whether to put their kids in school or take a gamble by sending them to the dangerous pits. The Money Stone takes an intimate look at the stark choices some children face in hopes of finding a better future.

Never Surrender

As Galaxy Quest reaches its 20th anniversary, the cast and crew celebrate the cult classic

With beloved cult classic Galaxy Quest reaching its 20th Anniversary, this star-studded anniversary documentary unveils how the film turned fans in to true heroes and predicted a future where geeks would rule the world! The cast and crew recall how a fire on set, the loss of a powerful director and an unconvinced studio couldn't stop the film that would never give up and never surrender!

Silent Forests

A rare glimpse inside the forest elephant poaching crisis

More than half of the Central-African forest elephant population has been decimated by poachers in the last decade. Following one of Cameroon’s first female eco-guards, a grassroots law enforcement group, a Congolese biologist, a reformed poacher and a Czech activist, this intimate, character-driven portrait gains remarkable access to an under-reported region, the Congo Basin, to understand the global poaching and ivory trade crises we face.

Sidik and the Panther

Will spotting an elusive Persian leopard be the key to peace in Kurdistan?

Sidik has spent the last twenty-five years searching for a Persian leopard in the genocide-scarred mountains of Kurdistan in northern Iraq. If he can capture one of these magical creatures on film, the rugged region will be declared a national park and the bombs will never fall again. Sidik still hasn’t found his leopard, but he refuses to give up. Acclaimed director Reber Dosky guides us through the Kurdish mountains alongside Sidik, in this beautiful and inspiring visual ode to perseverance and peaceful patriotism.

Hunting For Hedonia

An exploration of the brain, science and the mysteries of our minds

What if tiny pulsing electrodes in your head could manipulate your mind? A revolutionary technique called Deep Brain Stimulation, first explored by pioneers in the 1960s, is doing just that. The treatment has led to incredible progress in treating illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease, severe depression and eating disorders. But what future lies ahead for the human mind when we start tampering with our brain and emotions?

Where the Light Shines

Afghanistan's first ski team reach for a brighter future

From their amateur efforts at home in the Bamyan peaks, Sajjad and Alishah have the chance to ski for Afghanistan in the Winter Olympics. As local kids strap wood to their feet and imitate their heroes, the men face up to the difficulty of creating opportunities in a country that for generations has only seen war. Filmed over four years, this beautiful film paints an uplifting and refreshing portrait of Afghanistan as you haven't seen it before.

I Am Human

The world's first cyborgs challenge what it means to be human

Meet several of the world's first "cyborgs" - a tetraplegic, a blind man, an artist with Parkinson’s - and the scientists and entrepreneurs on a quest to unlock the secrets of the brain. As these pioneers grapple with the unique opportunities of advanced brain technology, we’re forced to reconcile with the larger implications: will the same technologies that heal the sick allow us to develop superhuman abilities, communicate telepathically, and enhance our own cognition? This is the story of a quiet revolution defining the very future of humanity.

Colombia In My Arms

In a strongly polarised world, can people find a common ground for peace?

After 52 years of armed conflict the FARC guerrillas are about to hand over their weapons in a move meant to benefit the poor. Society is thrown into chaos after the Colombian peace agreement is announced: some fear for their lives in the uncertain future, others, such as former FARC guerrilla Ernesto, are hopeful for change. Colombia in My Arms takes a close look at a crucial opportunity for a country to improve, but will the peace deal be respected?

Bludgeon

What happens when jocks meet geeks

An off-beat and uplifting tale about following your dreams, however odd your quest for glory might seem to some. Set against the backdrop of competitive medieval combat – a hobby that becomes a bruising obsession – Bludgeon is aptly titled, as men and women fight each other with swords, axes, maces and shields. The armour is heavy and the stakes are high, as this eccentric cast of characters compete in the hope of representing New Zealand in the international championships.