An Iranian film director has been declined entry to New Zealand ahead of the upcoming Documentary Edge Festival.
Rokhsareh Ghaemmaghami was scheduled to appear at the festival in Auckland and Wellington next month, discussing her film Sonita.
Festival director Dan Shanan is disappointed Ms Ghaemmaghami won't get to discuss her work with Kiwi viewers and he's furious about the decision to not let her enter the country.
"It's a blow to the festival as well, to the reputation of the festival, but I think more for the country too. What kind of a message are we sending out there to the world?"
