The 100-year-old Chief is about 108-year-old Chief Johnson Kowia's fears that his isolated tribe in Yakel village, on the Vanuatan island of Tanna, is threatened by the advance of Western civilisation.
"It's very exciting. It's not just the world premiere, it's New Zealand's first 3D produced film," director Rachael Wilson, of Wanaka, said last night.
Ms Wilson first encountered the village seven years ago, while filming an active volcano on the island, where she was touched by the old chief's concerns that the villagers' traditions and happiness were being eroded by Western influences.
"The film takes you into a world that we don't want people to go into. That's why we've filmed it in 3D," she said.
"We want to put it in a cinema on the developed part of the island, so tourists go to the cinema, rather than go to see the tribe. We want people to be so drawn into the tribe's world, that they feel like they've been there."
The 73-minute, self-funded film was produced by Ms Wilson, Graham McArthur and Emmy Award-winning cinematographer Michael Single, in collaboration with Video Factory Ltd, TaylorMade and Animation Research Ltd.
Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull, New Zealand Geographic Board member Sir Tipene O'Regan and Otakou chairman Tahu Potiki were among last night's guests.
The film would be shown in film festivals before being released for general distribution, Ms Wilson said.
