The Wattie's Can's Film Festival is returning for the 22nd time to help Kiwis in need by collecting cans of food for Salvation Army food banks throughout New Zealand.

From late October, Kiwis throughout the country will be able to exchange any can of food for a movie ticket to use on Monday, November 2.

Bay City Cinemas Tauranga supervisor Sarah Fitness and cinema assistant Caitlin Bradfield at last year's festival. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Wattie's will then generously match every can donated with one of their own. After the festival, all cans go directly to The Salvation Army.

Wattie's and The Salvation Army is one of New Zealand's most successful and longest running charity partnerships - helping to keep food banks stocked for over two decades.

'Last year, the Wattie's Can's Film Festival generated over 52,000 cans, which The Salvation Army then gave to families during the financially challenging Christmas period,” says Major Pam Waugh, National Secretary of Social Services for The Salvation Army.

'The 2015 film festival will have a fantastic selection of films on offer and it's hoped that we'll be able to help even more families this year.”

Thanks to the support of Wattie's, participating cinemas and the overwhelming generosity of New Zealanders, over a million cans have been donated since the inaugural festival in 1994.

'Household budgets are stretched by rising living costs, especially for rent and power, and with Christmas around the corner we would love Kiwis to show their support for those who need it most,” says Pam.

'This is a great way to help reduce the stress on families who are doing it tough in the lead-up to Christmas.”

EVENT and Hoyts Cinemas, along with independents, are once again kindly offering their theatres for the night. This year, the festival will run nationwide with over 50 cinemas taking part.

So save the date - Monday, November 2 - for a night of fun and entertainment for the whole family and a chance to lend a hand to those who need it the most.