Warm Up to Wao Summit 2026, with Film.
Seven films. Seven days. Big ideas for a resilient future.
Before the conversations begin, come and see the stories shaping them.
In the week leading into the Wao Summit 2026, we’re teaming up with our film partner Cinema Paradiso for Warm Up to Wao Summit - seven nights of extraordinary cinema exploring some of the biggest questions facing our communities and our planet.
From the future of our food systems and the regeneration of land, to the power of forests, community ownership, truth and democracy, young people demanding a seat at the table and what happens when we give nature space to recover, each film offers a different way into the conversations at the heart of this year’s Summit.
One film. Every day. Monday 19 – Sunday 25 October.
MONDAY 19 OCTOBER, 7PM - COMMON WEALTH
What if more of the wealth generated within a community stayed there? A hopeful exploration of ownership, prosperity and the new economic models being used to build stronger, more resilient communities. BOOK HERE
TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER, 7PM - RACHEL’S FARM
Actor and filmmaker Rachel Ward turns the camera on her own Australian cattle farm as she begins a deeply personal journey into regenerative agriculture, soil, biodiversity and a different way of producing food. BOOK HERE
WEDNESDAY 21 OCTOBER, 7PM - ORWELL: 2+2=5
Acclaimed director Raoul Peck draws on George Orwell’s life and writing to explore propaganda, authoritarianism, surveillance, language and what happens when truth itself becomes contested. BOOK HERE
THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER, 6.30PM - SILENT FRIEND
A visually rich and quietly captivating film unfolding around an extraordinary old ginkgo tree. An invitation to reconsider intelligence, consciousness and the remarkable living world around us. BOOK HERE
FRIDAY 23 OCTOBER, 7PM - THE GIANTS
The remarkable story of Australian environmentalist Bob Brown is interwoven with the ancient forests he has spent decades fighting to protect. Beautiful, immersive and ultimately hopeful. BOOK HERE
SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER, 4.30PM - FUTURE COUNCIL
Eight young people. One biofuel-powered school bus. Some of the world’s most powerful business leaders. Funny, energetic and optimistic, Future Council asks what happens when young people are given a genuine voice in shaping their future. BOOK HERE
SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER, 4.30PM - WILDING
Back by popular demand after a sell-out Wānaka screening. Based on Isabella Tree’s bestselling book, Wilding follows an extraordinary experiment in giving nature the space to recover — and what happens next. BOOK HERE
Seven very different films. Seven different perspectives. One week to look at the world a little differently before we come together for Wao Summit 2026: Resilience in Action.
Choose one film or make a week of it.
Book your tickets with Cinema Paradiso.
Warm Up to Wao Summit is presented by Wao in collaboration with Cinema Paradiso, our official film partner.
PLUS: Rachel’s Farm returns for a special encore screening at the Wao Summit on Saturday 31 October.