Nyree Dawn Porter display for museum

The first offering from the NZIFF Film Festival is 20th Century Women, which shares the challenges of a single woman raising a son in the 1970s.

As we're still on a high from being named the Supreme Award winners of the Resene Total Colour Master Nightingale Award as well as the Resene Total Colour Installation Award, I'm finding it hard to concentrate on business as usual this week.

I'm so very pleased for Sandy Adsett, the talented artists of Iwi Toi Kahungunu, and the team here at MTG for their well-deserved recognition of the Tuturu exhibition.

Tuturu has been replaced by a very colour neutral, yet still dramatic, display in the Linkway gallery, which opens today.

It features works recently acquired for the collection by two significant New Zealand artists referencing the battle at Omarunui in 1866.

While they cannot narrate the range of perspectives or full historical account of this emotional part of Hawke's Bay history, each series represents the perspective of the artist.

As new additions to the collection, these works enrich the overall holdings of the Hawke's Bay Museums Trust.

Both series represent a major investment in the development of the collection, deeply embedded in the roots of Hawke's Bay stories.

Another Hawke's Bay story we are currently installing is that of Nyree Dawn Porter.

Nyree was a local star who shot to international fame in British television's Forsyte Saga.

Covering ballet, stage and film we look forward to sharing her talented journey and providing some opportunity for dance and play for our younger (and young at heart) visitors.

This exhibition will be open to the public from Saturday, September 16.

Starting this week is the film festival, with 20th Century Women our opening film.

This movie shares the challenges and joys of a single woman raising a son in the 1970s.

Watching the trailer, I always laugh at the very last scene so am thinking there will be plenty of highs and lows in this film.

Another very human story, The Midwife, is set in France and explores the complex relationship between two women who had last seen each other about 20 years earlier, when one was in a relationship with the other's father.

I think this will be a lovely story full of the flaws and complexities of individuals and relationships.

Another film on my must-watch list is A Fantastic Woman, which looks like an absolutely riveting story.

A Chilean film, full of intrigue, drama and mystery it follows the story of a marginalised woman who, as a transgender woman living with an older man, is immediately under suspicion following his death. From watching the trailer I think this will be a powerful film and one I can't wait to see.

I'm looking forward to the start of the film festival and am curious to see whether the films I have selected will live up to my expectations and whether there are going to be some unexpected surprises along the way.

Hope to see some of you at the opening night and, as always, feel free to talk to me about MTG if you have thoughts or feedback to share.

* Maori Music Month Celebration Concert featuring Te Wananga Whare Tapere o Takitimu, Taikura Ki Ngati Kahungunu, Amba Holly and Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre. Century Theatre, Saturday, September 2, 11am and 1pm. Free entry.

* Paper Shaper a short, rich with emotion and humour combination of mask work and puppetry show by Children's Puppet Theatre. Century Theatre, Tuesday, September 2. 11:30 and 1:30. Tickets $5 - door sales available.

* NZIFF Film Festival. Opening night Thursday, September 7, 6.30pm, $20 including complimentary drink and nibbles.

* Kids' Drop-In-Zone continues to be open every weekend with activities for younger visitors to enjoy

* Laura Vodanovich is the director of the Museum Theatre Gallery (MTG) Hawke's Bay.