This year’s opening film takes us deep into the Denniston Plateau, one of Aotearoa’s extraordinary and fragile landscapes. Home to dwarf native forests, rare lizards and snails found nowhere else on Earth, Denniston is a refuge for species and ecosystems unique to the South Island.

This is a cinematically stunning film that showcases the raw beauty of Denniston Plateau. The film follows a colourful group of climbers, highliners and activists on a bold mission to promote and protect this remote, harsh West Coast landscape. Australian coalmining company Bathurst Resources has applied to extract millions of tonnes of coal on Denniston Plateau, mostly for export. Against this backdrop, the film asks a powerful question: what are we willing to do to defend places that cannot be replaced?

From 6.15pm, come and mingle before a screening of A Line In The Sandstone at 7pm.

The film will be followed by a Q&A and discussion with those involved in the campaign to prevent coal mining in Denniston Plateau. Hear about ongoing actions led by Climate Liberation Aotearoa and explore what more can be done to safeguard this remarkable landscape.

Come along and discover the beauty of our wild places and meet the people standing up for this national taonga.

Register HERE (soon)

This event is part of Climate Action Festival 2026. See the full program here.