CIEE HS Summer Abroad: Filmmaking & Culture in Auckland

Film your story in Auckland, where Pacific surf, fern-draped rainforest, and island vistas all come together in one epic backdrop.

Spend your summer learning the basics of filmmaking, from story and framing to sound and editing. Auckland surrounds your project with volcanic peaks, black-sand beaches, and a thriving screen scene that helped put New Zealand on the map through blockbusters like The Lord of the Rings. With other Global Navigators, you’ll brainstorm, storyboard, and shoot a short film that’s completely your own.

Dive into visual storytelling as you analyze films from across the Asia-Pacific and develop your own characters and narratives. Learn how filmmakers shape mood and meaning from first concept through post-production, with insights from local film professionals. Through location scouting in creative city neighborhoods and along Auckland’s dramatic coastline, you’ll see how real places become unforgettable settings.

Beyond the camera, you’ll have time to soak up Auckland life. Special outings, from a behind-the-scenes experience at the Auckland Theatre Company to a hands-on Māori flax-weaving workshop, reveal new facets of New Zealand storytelling and culture. Along the way, you’ll sharpen your creative voice, see where storytelling can take you, and imagine new possibilities for your future in film and beyond.