OREANDA-NEWS. August 21, 2015. Princess Cruises has raised the curtains on details of the first Travelling Film Festival at Sea, with guests on Diamond Princess set to enjoy a New Zealand movie theme as the ship crosses the Tasman next February.

As part of the cruise line’s partnership with Sydney Film Festival, six contemporary New Zealand films will set the scene for the festival, which will take place as Diamond Princess sails from Sydney to Auckland as part of a 12-night roundtrip cruise to New Zealand.

Top bill on the inaugural event will be acclaimed New Zealand producer Bridget Ikin, a special guest on the cruise, who has selected the films for the Festival. Ms Ikin will also present two of her own films, the award-winning 1990 classic, Angel at My Table, directed by Jane Campion, as well as new film Sherpa, which had its World Premiere at the 2015 Sydney Film Festival. Bridget will also host an informative Q&A session for guests at the screenings of her films.

Guests will also enjoy four more New Zealand produced titles as part of the Festival including coming-of-age comedy-drama Boy(2010), Samoan feature film The Orator (O Le Tulafale)(2012), drama feature Dark Horse (2011) and the multi-award winning masterpiece The Piano (1993), also directed by Jane Campion.

Princess Cruises Vice President Australia & New Zealand Stuart Allison said he expected the first Travelling Film Festival at Sea to be a box-office hit with guests.

“We’re thrilled to be screening such a terrific line-up of local films – it’s going to be a unique opportunity for holidaymakers to enjoy a very special taste of New Zealand as they travel across the Tasman,” Mr Allison said.  

The Travelling Festival at Sea will feature on Diamond Princess on her 12-night roundtrip cruise departing Sydney for New Zealand on February 4, 2016. Fares for the voyage start from \\$1,599 per person twin share, with ports of call including Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Akaroa, Dunedin and scenic cruising through the stunning waters of Fiordland National Park.