Rialto has launched a new streaming app, Rialto View, bringing together curated cinema, performance, literature and editorial content in a single platform.
Developed in Aotearoa, the app combines programming from Rialto Film and Rialto Arts, positioning itself as an alternative to large, algorithm-driven streaming services. The focus is on hand-selected content rather than personalised feeds, with an emphasis on international cinema, festival films and arts programming.
The film section draws on Rialto Film’s long-running cinema catalogue, with a mix of contemporary and classic titles. Early highlights include the BAFTA-nominated Ammonite, alongside director-focused collections starting with German filmmaker Werner Herzog. The library also includes international releases, debut features and films drawn from major festivals.
Rialto Arts centres on performance, literature and cultural documentary. One of the main releases is Shakespeare: The Rise of a Genius, a documentary series examining William Shakespeare’s life and influence. The series features Dame Judi Dench and other figures from contemporary theatre, exploring how Shakespeare’s work has shaped storytelling over centuries.
The platform also includes Pene Pati in Recital, a filmed performance by the New Zealand tenor, whose career spans international opera houses and local stages. The film captures a live recital and adds to a growing catalogue of performance-focused screen work.
Local documentary features prominently in the arts section. March releases include films by New Zealand documentarian Shirley Horrocks, whose work focuses on artists, makers and cultural identity. Her films examine creative lives and labour through close observation and long-form storytelling.
Other titles available through Rialto Arts include Dance with Rodin, a contemporary dance work inspired by the sculptor’s art, and Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words, a documentary built from personal letters, diaries and archival footage.
Alongside the film and arts catalogue, Rialto View includes an editorial section called ViewMag. It features interviews, essays and long-form conversations connected to the films on the platform. At launch, this includes a dual interview with Loren Taylor and Elizabeth Hawthorne discussing their New Zealand feature The Moon Is Upside Down.
Content on the platform is refreshed weekly, with selections curated by programmers rather than automated recommendations. The app is available across mobile, tablet, smart TV and web browsers using a single login.
Roger Wyllie said the platform reflects ongoing audience interest in story-driven and arts-focused content.
“New Zealanders and Australians have always supported stories with substance. Rialto View is a cultural investment – a place where local filmmakers stand alongside global auteurs, and where cinema, performance, and literature can coexist with purpose,” he said.
The launch also places a spotlight on New Zealand cinema, including The Moon Is Upside Down, directed by Loren Taylor and starring Elizabeth Hawthorne. The film explores grief and connection through minimal dialogue and restrained storytelling.
Rialto View is available now via the Apple App Store, Google Play Store and selected smart TVs. More information is available at rialtoview.com.
