Tauranga man Craig Newland's self-directed film set to hit the big screens next month will premiere in Auckland tonight.

A red-carpet premiere for Craig's feature length film ‘3 Mile Limit', set to hit cinemas on March 6, is happening on Thursday at the Civic Theatre.

Matt Whelan (left) and Elliot Wrightson star in ‘3 Mile Limit' directed by Tauranga man Craig Newland.

Produced and directed by Craig, ‘3 Mile Limit' is based on the true story of the 1960s beginnings of Radio Hauraki broadcasting from international waters on a boat called Tiri – and all of the original radio pirates are expected to attend the premiere.

Written by Craig and Andrew Gunn, the screenplay tells the story of 23-year-old reporter Richard Davis, who is determined to break the Government's monopoly on state broadcasting.

He wants to bring rock ‘n' roll and free speech to an oppressed younger generation – and at the same time, hold on to the woman he loves.

This year, the film received global credit when it won official selection into seven international film festivals in the United States for Best Film Feature.

The film, starring Matt Whelan, Dan Musgrove, and David Aston, is being produced by No.8 Films Ltd and will be in cinemas March 6.