Big Girls Don't Cry is a 2026 New Zealand drama film directed by Paloma Schneideman. The film premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
Contents
Cast
Ani Palmer as Sid
Noah Taylor as Leo
Rain Spencer as Freya
Beatrix Rain Wolfe as Lana
Ngataitangirua Hita as Tia
Sophia Kirkwood Smith as Stevie
Tara Canton as Adele
Ian Blackburn as Kyle
Emile Boyle as Andy
Caleb Cameron Lee as Willy
Poroaki Merritt-McDonald as Diggy
Production
Filming for Big Girls Don't Cry took place in Auckland, New Zealand and Ōmaha, New Zealand during March - May 2025 and marked Schneideman's feature film directorial debut. Of the film, Schneideman stated that she wanted the film to feel discomforting because she believed that "there was a real responsibility for young women or young queer folk to not look away or not avoid those more difficult aspects of coming-of-age". She also chose to have the film end on an ambiguous note, as the directors wanted viewers to project themselves onto the situation instead of telling the viewer how they should feel.
Release
Big Girls Don't Cry had its world premiere in the World Dramatic Competition at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2026. It then screened at 2026 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival as a 'Festival Favorite', BFI Flare: London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival as a 'Special Presentation', and TIFF Next Wave in Toronto, Canada.
In New Zealand, the film is scheduled to be the opening night film of the 2026 Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival at the end of July 2026.
The film will additionally be screened at the Melbourne International Film Festival in Australia in August 2026.
Reception
Out Magazine praised Big Girls Don't Cry, citing Ani Palmer's acting as a highlight. RogerEbert.com's Marya E. Gates also praised the film, noting that "what really makes this film special is the way Schneideman subtly indicates how painful it was in that era to grow up queer without any real support system, even if you never experienced any actual violence."
Awards
World Cinema Dramatic Award at the Sundance Film Festival (2026, nominated)
Grand Prix, Biarritz Film Festival - Nouvelles Vagues (2026, won)
Nominated for the Asia Pacific Screen Award for Best Youth Film at the 19th Asia Pacific Screen Awards to be held on 30 October 2026.