An independent short film, exploring "grief, belonging and the power of community through the lens of The Lord of the Rings (LOTR) fandom", will be shot in Queenstown in late October.
Its Dunedin-based producer, Stefan Roesch, says Wise Sam Gangees is about a grieving father who reluctantly joins a LOTR tour and unexpectedly finds friendship, healing and hope.
The production, which has received some seed funding and sponsorship, has started a crowd-funding campaign to finance the shoot.
Starring veteran Kiwi actor Bruce Hopkins, who played Gamling in the film trilogy, the film will be shot over four days, starting in the resort town.
