A spellbinding expose into the journey New Zealanders take to compete on the world stage is the focus of the ‘12,000 Miles’ documentary, premiering world-wide on the eve of the 2024 New Zealand Pipe Band Championships, the Royal New Zealand Pipe Bands’ Association is pleased to announce.
The documentary follows the four Kiwi pipe bands that travelled to the 2023 World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow – Auckland and District, Canterbury Caledonian Society, Manawatu Scottish and St Andrew’s College – from the very start of their campaigns right through to the competition at Glasgow Green. Showcasing the true Antipodean flavour of New Zealand pipe banding, Kiwis from all walks of life show what it takes to travel the 12,000 miles (18,000km) each year to pit themselves against the best in the business.
12,000 Miles captures all the moments, the emotions and everything in between on the journey to represent us on the world stage. Quintessentially ‘Kiwi’ at times, the documentary establishes for the world our special sub-culture that exists down-under of this much-loved traditional art form.
Directed by well-renowned New Zealand journalist, content creator and digital storyteller John Sellwood and supported by the RNZPBA and others in the film industry, 12,000 Miles has been a community effort.
Our Four Bands
What does it take to travel 12,000 Miles?
A&D 0:41
Their first time back at the Worlds since 2017, with a trip to France in the mix… what will the Aucklanders bring?
Canterbury 0:40
How will the reigning New Zealand champions get on?
Manawatu 0:38
No strangers to Scottish soil, will Manawatu beat their best Worlds placing yet?
St Andrew’s College 0:31
The 2013 World Juvenile champions hungry for more success – will they get it?
What people said
“Captured the emotion, the commitment, the triumphs and the tribulations – one of the best pipe band documentaries ever.”
“You step back and think – ‘Yeah, we did that.’ And to have that on film for prosterity is something very special indeed.”
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Footage collected
4
Bands followed for six months
1
Special moment at Glasgow Green - captured forever.
