Cast : Manon Blackman, Alison Bruce, Peyton Morete, Tane Rolfe

Maddie, a young aspiring writer, returns to her family home on the coast after a series of literary setbacks. She soon finds herself trapped by family tensions. Between reuniting with an old flame and discovering her mother's secret affair, she realizes that the story she was looking for may be closer than she imagined. But can you write about your loved ones without impacting them and feeling guilty? A beautiful romantic comedy that also allows you to admire the beauty of New Zealand, whether through the charm of Wellington or that of its wild coastline near Kāpiti.

Mike Smith

Writer, director and producer Mike Smith has built a career spanning more than four decades in New Zealand television. He’s worked across a range of genres, from fantasy to drama to comedy, but his breakthrough came with the popular 1984 series Heroes, followed by successful stints in Sydney on Police Rescue and The Flying Doctors. However, it was his return to New Zealand and directing Cover Story, which earned him his first directing award in 1996, that marked a turning point. his reputation grew with Outrageous Fortune, Sunny Skies, The Almighty Johnsons, and The Brokenwood Mysteries. He also directed the 2015 co-production 800 Words.His feature directorial debut, The People We Love, was released in New Zealand cinemas on 2025 May 1.