Screen can exclusively reveal the first trailer for Gaysorn Thavat’s The Justice Of Bunny King, which is set to world premiere at Tribeca Film Festival (June 9-20).

Protagonist Pictures is handling world sales on the New Zealand drama, which is led by Essie Davis, star of The Babadook, and Thomasin McKenzie, star of Jojo Rabbit.

It marks the feature directorial debut of New Zealand filmmaker Thavat, whose short Brave Donkey was selected for the BFI London Film Festival, Locarno and Melbourne in 2009.

Written by Sophie Henderson (Baby, Done), the story centres on a mother of two with a sketchy past who is battling to reunite with her children, when an unexpected confrontation leads her to take her niece Tonyah under her wing.

The film is playing in the Viewpoints section of Tribeca, which is going ahead both online and in person at select cinemas across New York City

Produced by Emma Slade of Firefly Films, financing came from the New Zealand Film Commission and its 125 Fund, and with assistance from the New Zealand Government’s Screen Production Grant and Screen Production Recovery Fund.

Madman Entertainment will distribute the film in Australia and New Zealand, and is planning a theatrical release on July 29.

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