Tauranga director Craig Newland is proving there is no limit to his success with his self-directed film set to hit the big screens next month already claiming a number of top awards.

Matt Whelan stars in Tauranga man Craig Newland's film ‘3 Mile Limit'.

His feature length film ‘3 Mile Limit' has won Best International Feature Film at the Washington DC Independent Film Festival.

'To win Best International Feature Film in Washington DC is a real honour and such a thrill for not only me but for my amazing cast and crew,” says Craig.

Produced and directed by Craig, ‘3 Mile Limit' is based on a true story of the 1960s beginnings of Radio Hauraki broadcasting from international waters on a boat called Tiri.

The film premiered earlier this month at Auckland's Civic Theatre, where more than 2000 people attended.

'It seems international film festivals are reacting strongly to the Radio Hauraki untold true story, and I hope people support the film on opening weekend here at home on March 6,” says Craig.

The film also won Best Feature Film at the Fargo International Film Festival and has been selected into competition by 10 international film festivals.

The film tells the iconic true story based on the 1960's beginnings of Radio Hauraki on a boat called the TIRI in international waters in the Hauraki Gulf in Auckland.

It's 1965 and rock music is shaking up the world but not in New Zealand.

Richard Davis is a 23-year-old journalist by day, but at night manages a local band called ‘The Yellow Sprockets'. He is determined to break the government's monopoly on state broadcasting and bring rock n' roll and free speech to an oppressed younger generation, and at the same time hold onto the woman he loves.

A power struggle develops between the government and these free spirited individuals who set out to change a system that starved a nation of modern pop music.

Craig has pieced together a strong cast, which includes leading man Matt Whelan, who is supported by Dan Musgrove and David Aston as Broadcasting Minister.

The film is being produced by No.8 Films Ltd and will be in cinemas March 6, 2014.