Zoe Ryall, 8, dressed as a Gryffindor student for the Harry Potter movie marathon.
Zoe Ryall, 8, dressed as a Gryffindor student for the Harry Potter movie marathon.
Nearly 150 people crammed into the theatre at Roxy Cinema in Wellington this weekend for a 24-hour Harry Potter movie marathon - and even the Dark Lord himself made an appearance.
In fact, You Know Who even took home the prize for best costume.
Twelve-year-old Hugo Brown was certainly dedicating himself to the character by channelling his inner murderous villain.
Voldemort was Hugo's favourite character.
"I just like him because he's evil and I like evil thoughts," said the boy at the end of the marathon.
Roxy's Erica Brooks cuts the Dobby cake with more than a little enthusiasm.
Out of all the movies played during the marathon, which started at 1.30pm on Saturday and finished the same time on Sunday, Hugo's favourite was the sixth movie - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
"It's my favourite movie. A lot of things happen in that movie. A lot of evil things."
Mother Ana Brown was bewildered at her son's enthusiasm.
"I'm a little bit, like, what's with the evil thoughts? Didn't realise that one," she said.
Hugo won a wand for the best costume competition, while another competitor won a Triwizard Cup made by Weta Workshop in a quiz.
Another dressed-up moviegoer was Gryffindor student Zoe Ryall, 8, who slept through only one of the films over the 24-hour period.
"She was kind of high on sugar for the rest of it," said mum Jemma Kingi.
A wand stall was set up in the cinema lobby for movie goers to buy from in the breaks.
As Potter fans spilled out of the cinema carrying pillows and blankets, dressed in pyjamas or wizard costumes, one man could be heard saying they were "the group who lived through the marathon".
One such survivor was 22-year-old Courtenay Trass, who said she "wasn't quite sure" what she'd signed up for.
"It hit when we started watching the first movie, it was like 'holy God, we've got another seven of these to go.' You get half way through and go 'I can do this, I can get through, I'm amazing,' at like three in the morning."
Her friend Maddie Bowles donned a Slytherin uniform for the event, while Trass dressed as a "Hogwarts student ready for bed" in her pyjamas.
"Nobody's judging, especially not at a 24-hour Harry Potter movie marathon."
The pair have agreed to have a Harry Potter marathon every two years, though they may do it in the comfort of their own homes next time so they can still shower in between movies.
They said their favourite part of the marathon was the excitement among other fans, and being able to make friends with total strangers over a shared interest in a cinema bathroom in the early hours of the morning.
A Dobby cake and a candy bar were set up for people as they left the final film.
Roxy head of marketing Erica Brooks said about 145 people showed up for the event, which allowed breaks for food and games in between films.
Members of the Victoria University quidditch club showed up to teach moviegoers how to play a game of quidditch, and attendees were treated with Potter-themed meals and snacks, including butterbeer and a Dobby cake made by Becs Peel from Stiletto Studio Cakes.
A wandmaker also set up a stall out in the lobby, and "skiving snackboxes" were available to the moviegoers as they left the final movie of the weekend.
"I probably left at half 12 last night and got back at six this morning. They were a wee bit quiet this morning but I went in to say hi and they still gave me a big cheer."
