From New Zealand hippies to millionaire preachers in Nigeria, WOMAD New Zealand 2012 has announced an enticing film programme to complement the world-class performers and musicians at this year's festival.

WOMAD New Zealand 2012 takes place at New Plymouth's Brooklands Park and TSB Bowl of Brooklands from 16-18 March and after the sun sets each night, the intimate Pinetum Stage transforms into an outdoor movie theatre with an array of acclaimed short films and documentaries.

WOMAD New Zealand film programme manager Richard King says that this year's selection takes people on a journey beyond music and dance.

"It's exciting to screen so many wonderful New Zealand-made films this year, and two of them even have a strong Taranaki focus. I think there's something here for all audiences, and I hope people will come away a little bit better informed about the world, as well as thoroughly entertained."

The film programme includes award-winning Taranaki-made documentary Hiding Behind the Green Screen, which explores the youth marijuana culture in New Zealand and features Frances Kora from the band Kora, and Rio Hemopo from the bands Trinity Roots and Fat Freddy's Drop who mentor four young men on a journey of self-discovery.

In one of two acclaimed UK human rights films, Burundi: Boys Behind Bars, an episode of the Channel 4 series Unreported World, exposes the plight of hundreds of children in Burundi locked up for years without trial in adult prisons, among some of the most dangerous criminals in the country.

And in Dirty Bloody Hippies, director Dan Salmon takes a trip back to 1970s New Zealand when opposition to the war in Vietnam channelled into an outpouring of youthful protest and anger on the country's streets.

Miracles, expensive cars, exorcism and bodyguards - Nigeria's Millionaire Preachers, another episode of Unreported World, explores the extraordinary collision of capitalism and religion in Lagos, Nigeria.

Other films featuring include the New Zealand film Last Paradise; Two Cars, One Night by Boy director Taika Waititi; Mark Albiston's multi award-winning short film The Six Dollar Fifty Man and Va Tapuia. The full film programme can be found at www.womad.co.nz

As well as featuring performers from more than 20 countries and a broad film programme, WOMAD New Zealand 2012 also offers artists in conversation, Taste the World - hosted by Masterchef runner-up Jax, artist workshops, a global village, sustainable village, and Kidzone.

WOMAD is an international festival created by Peter Gabriel and Thomas Brooman in 1982. Since then 21 countries have hosted the festival and entertained millions of festival goers. Tickets for WOMAD New Zealand 2012 are on sale through Ticketek 0800 TICKETEK (842 538) or www.ticketek.co.nz. Visit www.womad.co.nz for details.