The Wellington Film Society (WFS) is a non-profit incorporated society and registered charitable organisation. We have been screening films in Wellington for over 75 years and were one of the founding members of the New Zealand Federation of Film Societies (NZIFF), New Zealand’s only alternative non-profit network of film exhibitors.
Film Society membership is open to everyone and there are subscription options from a 3-Film sampler to a 12-month membership. Full membership also gives you free admission to screenings of other federated NZ film societies, generous discounts at the New Zealand International Film Festival, and the Embassy Theatre, Light House Cinemas, Penthouse Cinema (Monday to Thursday only), and The Roxy Cinema.
We operate on a subscription basis to comply with screening rights restrictions. Most screenings are members only, however some sponsored screenings are open to the public with koha/donation-based entry. (Censorship ratings apply to all screenings.)
Membership subscriptions contribute to programming services, venue hire, and administration costs.
Donations
Wellington Film Society Inc. is registered as a charitable entity under the Charities Act 2005, with donee status approved by the Inland Revenue Department. Registration No. CC41407
Venue
The screenings are held in the Grand, Level 1 at the Embassy Theatre, 10 Kent Terrace, on Mondays at 6.00pm and 8:30pm.
Access
The Wellington Film Society wants everybody to be able to enjoy our programme of great movies on the big screen. So the front row as you come in, Row F, is reserved for people with mobility issues. There are ‘reserved’ notices on the seats. Self-recognition is the order of the day. If you have mobility issues or have a temporary injury and find the steps too taxing, sit in one of these seats and enjoy the film. There is a lift to the left of the entrance foyer so that the whole experience can be step-free!
For those of you that require hearing assistance, there is a hearing assistance system in place at the Embassy which is linked to the projection equipment. The refreshment bar can provide amplified infra-red headphones (used without hearing aids) that are returnable after the screening. If you have any feedback on how we can make Monday nights more accessible, then do not hesitate to get in touch.
Committee
The Wellington Film Society is run by a committee of volunteers elected from the general membership at our Annual General Meeting. The 2025 AGM was held on 31 March 2025.
2025 Committee Members
- President: Harry Evans
- Vice President: Johnny Crawford
- Vice President: Russ Kale
- Vice-President/Secretary: Sarah Leslie
- Treasurer: Alan Collins
- Membership Secretary: Elizabeth Ridder
- Film Handler: Miles Buckingham
- Assistant Film Handler: David Summerfield
- Other Committee Members: Joseph Ansolabehere, Barend Buchler, Michael Donn, Susan Freeman, Adam Glucksman, Alicia Harris, David Jenkinson, David Lindsay, Cassandra Liu, Sarah Mackenzie, Mica Mick, Chris Mitchell, Amanda Reid, Jessy Reese, Jim Seymour, Shanon Stevens, Harriet Wild
Life Members
- Alan Collins
- David Jenkinson
- David Lascelles
- John Leggott
- David Lindsay
- Elizabeth Ridder
- Lindsay Shelton
Contact
Wellington Film Society Inc
PO Box 1584
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
Phone: 027 3132 338
Email: filmsociety@gmail.com