Minister Judith Collins to Open Fraud Film Festival in Auckland this Weekend

via beehive.govt.nz

The inaugural International Fraud Film Festival will be opened by Hon Judith Collins, the Minister responsible for the Serious Fraud Office, on Friday, 18 November at Auckland’s Q Theatre.  The festival concludes this year’s Fraud Awareness Week.

The Fraud Film Festival is designed to bring the issue of fraud, and other forms of financial crime, alive in the New Zealand context through the medium of film.  The festival will deliver two full days of films and documentaries followed by live panel discussions about fraud and its prevention.

Minister Collins says “We are always concerned about the harm caused by fraudulent activity here in New Zealand as well as from perpetrators outside the country targeting Kiwis. I am particularly impressed that this festival is focused on both the counter-fraud industry and the public and hope that members of the public will take advantage of the fascinating line-up of films and speakers.”

To demonstrate the far-reaching impacts of fraud and the various guises it comes in, the festival is focusing on a variety of themes.  These include cybercrime, dishonesty, investigative journalism and corruption – including in sport.

Saturday the 19th November is open for the public and a variety of panellists will discuss each film including Olympian Valerie Adams, presenter Hayley Holt, Wallace Chapman, legal and privacy experts.

The festival also creates a stage on which to recognise the achievements of a Kiwi individual or entity that has distinguished itself in the fight against fraud in New Zealand. The winner will be presented with the award on the Friday evening of the festival.

Tickets are on sale now for the Saturday at Q theatre. See the festival programme at www.fraudfilmfestival.co.nz