A secret haven that shelters pets from fractured households is the subject of a new doco premiering in competition at the Doc Edge Film Festival.

Last night, the 19th edition of the Oscar-qualifying Doc Edge Festival opened in the heart of Christchurch, New Zealand.

The film, which opened the Doc Edge Festival on 19 June, invites viewers to consider their relationship to the natural world as they follow Māori

Dir. Annie Goldson centres around a secret pet shelter, allowing victims of family violence to seek safety while knowing their animals are being cared for.

For the rest of June, Christchurch will be hosting an Oscar-qualifying film event bringing members of the international film industry and a multitude of film

A review by James Croot on four tales that the Press believes are well worth seeking out during the first week of the festival.