Bookworm

New Zealand Production

Feature 2024 Adventure, Family, Comedy 96.00 minutes

Bookworm banner

Eleven-year-old Mildred’s life is turned upside down when her stressed out, strapped-for-cash single mum lands in hospital and her estranged father, Strawn Wise (Elijah Wood) – a has-been American illusionist – flies to New Zealand to look after her. The bookish tween’s lifelong quest has been to capture proof that the mythological beast known as the Canterbury Panther exists, which would bring with it a cash prize that would pull her and her mother out of their financial struggles. Newly introduced father and daughter head to the wilderness on a camping trip for the ultimate test of family bonding, watched from afar by a deadly black beast that could be the answer to all their woes. Exploring universal themes of fatherhood, survival and overcoming your fears, and with the rugged Southern New Zealand landscape as its backdrop, Bookworm will make you laugh, cry and warm your heart as it takes you on the adventure of a lifetime.

2024: Fantasia International Film Festival \u2013 Opening Night Film

Audience Award for Best International Feature

Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival - Closing Night Gala

Calgary International Film Festival

Worcester Film Festival - Closing Night Gala

Edmonton International Film Festival

Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival

Schlingel International Film Festival for Children and Young Audience

Slash Fantastic Film Festival

FrightFest London

Paris International Fantastic Film Festival

Saskatoon Fantastic Film Festival

Directors

Ant Timpson

Producers

Emma Slade

Roxi Bull

Victoria Dabbs

Mette Marie Kongsved

Laura Tunstall

Screenplay Writers

Ant Timpson

Toby Harvard

Executive Producers

Ant Timpson

Kelly Rogers

Kevin Gordon

Toby Harvard

Lauren Case

Steve Demmler

Anders Erdén

Blair Ward

Shannon D. Ward

Cast

Elijah Wood
Strawn Wise

Nell Fisher
Mildred

Michael Smiley
Jethro

Morgana O'Reilly
Zo

Nikki Si’ulepa
Dotty

Vanessa Stacey
Angelina

Theo Shakes
Reginald

Millen Baird
Doctor

Crew

Karl Sölve Steven | Composer

Daniel Katz | Cinematographer

John Allan | Production Designer

Miranda Rivers | Casting Director

Jaindra Watson | Costume Design

Stefan Knight | Make Up Designer

Distributor

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