The film captures a portrait of 90-year-old Sister Loyola Galvin in her Island Bay garden.
"For a Wellington documentary to be the most popular film in the festival is amazing," said Mr Goodwin.
He plans to bring the film back after the festival finishes for more screenings.
Mr Goodwin said there was a renewed interest in films that captured reality.
"Documentaries weren't always popular but in the last few years there's been more of them in the festival."
On Monday, people at the screening of 20 Feet From Stardom, a documentary about the world of back-up singers trying to go solo, gave rave reviews.
Film-goer Di Batchelor said it was fantastic.
"The movie was very inspiring, I'm going to go home and sing."
Pat McKenna, a musician for 40 years, said the film captured the soul and spirit of music.
"There was so much truth in it.
"It's the best movie I've seen in a long time, I was in tears.
"I'm going home to re-learn Sweet Home Alabama."
He said it showed how tough the industry could be.
"It's not how talented you are, you have got to be very lucky to make it."
Mr McKenna said he'll probably watch more festival films.
"It's such a bonus for the town."
The festival also coincides with the roll-out of the new digital projectors and sound system replacing the traditional film projectors.
"20 Feet From Stardom had fantastic sound, clear as a bell," said Mr McKenna.
Mr Goodwin said the picture and sound of digital film was stunning.
Two of the cinemas can now also screen 3D films.
Another popular documentary is Blackfish, an investigation into killer whales in captivity and the story of Tilikum, a six-tonne orca who killed his SeaWorld trainer.
The festival line-up also includes classics like Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest and a range of Kiwi films like the Royal New Zealand Ballet's production of Giselle.
The final night ends with Jim Jarmusch's Cannes entry Only Lovers Left Alive and the feature, The Weight of Elephants from NZ-born Daniel Borgman.
The festival ends on November 20.
