We're all well acquainted with the stars of New Zealand film names like Sam Neil, Anna Pacquin, Taika Waititi.

But last night saw the launch of some unfamiliar faces to the big screen.

They're the stars of a new documentary She Shears that's debuting right now at the New Zealand International Film Festival.

"This fresh dispatch from the heartland introduces two legendary shearers - and three in the making - as they head for black-short glory at the Golden Shears," reads a description of the film on the NZIFF website.