“Grippingly emotional. Heartbreaking, humbling and inspiring.” - TVNZ

When a City Falls documents the effects of the two earthquakes that rocked Christchurch in 2010 and 2011. Made for the big screen, its on-the-ground footage - captured within moments of both earthquakes - is immediate and arresting, as the film tracks the personal cost of one of New Zealand's largest catastrophes. An uplifting tale of hope and kindness, it contains many small, winning moments of Kiwi humour and resilience.

Relying on the accounts of those who lived through the catastrophic events, When a City Falls shows first hand the destruction of a city and the inspirational efforts of those involved to recover and rebuild their home.

"At once a celebration of endurance and a lament of loss, it will still be being watched 50 years from now." - New Zealand Listener

Director Gerard Smyth is a guest of the festival.

D/S Gerard Smyth P Gerard Smyth, Alice Shannon TD DCP/2011