Three Kiwi films to screen at Toronto fest (+trailers)

Cliff Curtis in The Dark Horse.

Three New Zealand films have now been chosen to screen at next month's high-profile Toronto's International Film Festival.

The Dark Horse and What We Do In The Shadows have joined previously announced Maori action epic The Dead Lands for the Canadian cinema fest.

New films from John Travolta, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dustin Hoffman will also screen over 10 days in Toronto.

The festival attracts thousands of film buffs and critics to view between 300 and 400 movies. It kicks off the North American autumn cinema season.

The New Zealand Film Commission says the selection showcases New Zealand's broad range of film-making talent.

"This selection of strong features shows how New Zealand film can truly compete on the world stage," said chief executive Dave Gibson.

The Dark Horse is a true story based on the life of little-known New Zealand speed-chess champion Genesis Potini, played by Cliff Curtis.

It stars Boy's James Rolleston, who is also in The Dead Lands, which also makes its world premiere in Toronto.

He plays Hongi, a Maori chieftain's teenage son who must avenge his father's murder in order to bring peace and honour to the souls of his loved ones.

The vampire mockumentary What We Do In The Shadows has already enjoyed local and international film festival success.

The Dead Lands and The Dark Horse will screen in the festivals opening weekend and What We Do In The Shadows in the closing weekend.

The festival runs from September 4 to 14.

Watch the trailers for all three films below:

The Dark Horse:

The Dead Lands:

What We Do in the Shadows:

- AAP