Important information
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Confluence operates under the values of community, collaboration, and critical thinking - and so with these in mind and COVID-19 spread continuing worldwide, it is important to us that we do what we can to reduce the risk to our community.
While community spread has not been detected anywhere in New Zealand, this can change quickly. To help mitigate this and the spread of other viruses such as seasonal flu we are postponing all cinema screenings until at least the end of April. This decision will be reviewed weekly and updated here as events change. Whilst this is not yet an official requirement for NZ cinemas, it is one Confluence is able to enact quickly and relatively easily. You're welcome to call or email us for more information and also read the official information on the ministry's website here: Ministry of Health COVID-19 and public events. In the meantime we will use Facebook and email to talk about other ways, including our recommendations, for you to continue to see great films at home. Melita & Kevin |
Coming later in 2020
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Confluence is Whanganui’s boutique arthouse cinema. Catering for audiences who enjoy the latest documentary, festival, and foreign films.
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Screening when Confluence cinema returns
Some of these films are sourced via suggestions from the general public, and you can also make a suggestion here or using the button below. New, older, or classic titles - documentary on Thursdays and any genre on Fridays - it's free to request and we keep you informed of progress here.
Please be aware the New Zealand classification labels for exhibition of the films shown above may not yet be available. You are reminded to always check the classification label before seeing a film. Films will only be shown after they have been rated under the NZ Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993.
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The experience
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Your viewing experience starts with a choice of sofas, lounge chairs, beanbags, and comfortable seating, and continues with a superb room filling widescreen presentation supported by absorbing dolby digital surround sound.
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Buying ticketsWe want to make your cinema experience as easy as possible. We offer fee-free online bookings, including free seat reservations, for all screenings, and pay at the venue on the night available for most screenings.
Remember that some films sell-out quickly so book or reserve as early as you can to avoid disappointment. Venue sales and pay on the night reservations are limited to CASH ONLY for seats that are unreserved online and available on the night. Whilst we'll do our best to accomodate you, there may be occasions when seats are unavailable or not in a group, especially for groups of 3 or more. Unclaimed reserved or booked seats will be released to venue purchase 5 mins before the screenings start.
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Seating
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Our standard layout includes recliners, sofas, armchairs, spaces for wheelchair users, and beanbags.
Each seat and row provides a great view of the 6 metre wide screen and perfect audio placement for your enjoyment.
If you have hearing difficultly or eyesight challenges then we recommend selecting seats in the middle of the front or second rows for the best experience. The second row has two sofas which are three seaters, so you may share with one other for popular screenings.
You can also contact us if you have specific requirements including wheelchair access needs. |
Ticket deals or couponsOccasionally we offer discount ticket deals for online bookings, or give away vouchers for use with online bookings.
If you have a discount code or voucher then book online to redeem it. Or if you need further help, please call us. You can also follow us on Facebook to be the first to see our published coupons. |
Reserving specific seatsWe recommend that if you are interested in any upcoming film, you should reserve or book online as early as possible.
Confluence does not charge any fees for online payments and also offers free reservations for all our cinema screenings and many events held here.
Reserve online to choose a seat row and type from the remaining seats for any screening.
You may also request specific seat rows or types when reserving over the phone on 06 2813474 but this is subject to availability. |
Protecting our audiences
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All films are exhibited at Confluence comply with the New Zealand Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993.
Please check any published classification of each film before purchasing a ticket or attending. As a responsible venue we will not permit audience members to attend screenings, or see rated trailers in our venue prior to screenings, who cannot provide evidence they are above the minimum age of a restricted age classification. Films with a recommended parental guidance or mature rating will have their rating reiterated verbally at the front of house when buying or collecting tickets if we reasonably consider anyone in the party to be under 16 years old. This reiteration will only be when possible, but is in addition to our in venue and advertising notifications. We also ask that all children under the age of 13 attending any film to be accompanied by an adult ticket holder who is their parent or legal guardian. |
Food and drinkWe supply free drinking water, chilled, filtered, and sparkling for your enjoyment. You're welcome to take this or your own small snacks and
non-alcoholic drinks into the theatre. Please restrict your snacks to a small amount that will not interfere with other audience members enjoyment of the films. Consider those without noise or strong smells, so for example bring snacks in easy to open containers, rather than noisy sweet or crisp bags. Consuming cooked take-aways during screenings is not allowed, mainly due to their strong aromas. But if you're running late or the weather is bad, you're welcome to consume them in our kitchen space from 6pm. Basically just bring a nibble or two to enjoy during the film and a non-alcoholic beverage to drink, and if you have any questions about what is appropriate then please contact us beforehand. |
Fundraiser screenings
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Throughout the year we are delighted to work with local and national organisations, groups, not-for-profits, and charities, to bring together the three elements of:
Driven entirely by our values of community, critical thinking, and collaboration, we do not charge for our time in marketing or securing the screening licences, and we do not charge for the venue.
We do not require a minimum seat sell figure, and typically offer the entire box office return, just covering the cost of the licence, as a fundraiser donation. If you represent a group or organisation that might be interested in working with us to organise a fundraiser screening film then please complete either a suggest a recipient for a donation form, or also a suggest a film to screen using this form.
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Historical connection
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Historically Whanganui is a town that has embraced the cinema, with half a dozen or so big screen venues attracting audiences during the cinema heyday last century. In fact the Kings Theatre that was on Victoria Avenue in the 1900's, was on the same site where the Confluence building now stands. Whilst we don't have an archive image of Kings Theatre itself, the photo above shows Victoria Avenue in the 1960s directly opposite where Confluence now stands.
As the world has turned, and people are offered more content to consume by themselves on personal devices, there is a noticeable trend back towards the experience of going out to enjoy a big screen story by coming together as an audience. Confluence cinema space was originally designed and built by local award winning filmmakers, Double Farley, as a test screening room for their films. It provides audiences with a quality big screen experience to share with others, along with many of the same comforts of your home, plus the experience you expect from a professional cinema.
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Cinema values
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Confluence cinema is run to support and encourage critical thinking. It achieves this through collaboration with our audience, filmmakers, and the wider community to bring audiences to some of the most engaging cinematic experiences every week.
Further community support is provided through fund-raising screenings and being open to suggestions for films from the general public.
Thoughtful Thursdays also collaborates with New Zealand filmmakers to host them at screenings of their films and provide Q&A sessions to further enhance the critical thinking available to our audiences.
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