NZ film to premiere at Cannes

A New Zealand film will have its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.

The festival's artistic director, Marie-Pierre Macia, said the film, Rain, would compete for the Camera D'Or prize, which goes to the best first feature.

Rain was written and directed by Christine Jeffs, of Lower Hutt, who will fly to France for next month's festival.

Its soundtrack was composed by Neil Finn.

The film tells the story of a young girl who grows up too quickly, without realising the consequences.