Australian children's show set for the big screen

Members of Hi 5. Photo / Geoff Sloan

Popular children's entertainment programme Hi-5 has turned the volume up with a new movie set to hit the big screen in two weeks.

Hi-5 Some Kind of Wonderful will debut in New Zealand on March 23, showing in Hoyts cinemas around the country.

It is the first time the popular long-running Australian children's programme has branched out onto the big screen and is shot in a documentary-styled format.

The film follows the current five-member cast - Casey, Fely, Tim, Stevie and Lauren - who have to audition dozens of people to find three new team members.

They will replace Fely and Tim, who are leaving to pursue acting careers, and Casey, who is working on a solo singing career.

Member Lauren Brant, in New Zealand to promote the film, said it was a new twist on the show and something different for fans.

"It's a really special cinematic experience for parents and children. There are parts where we call on the children to get up and dance and there's a lot of singing as well. It's not your typical movie."

Brant said it was an exciting time for the show, given those children who grew up with the original cast were now in their early twenties.

"Hi-5 is now close to 14 years old. It's been the same format this whole time and they haven't really involved the audience before because obviously children grow up.

"We just thought that this was a really great way to involve the audience...We wanted to show the parents and the children just how much passion and energy there is behind Hi-5."

Brant said the team was planning a tour around New Zealand - where they have a huge fan base - at the end of the year.

"It'll be really cool... I've never had the chance to tour in New Zealand so I can't wait for that...I was here for the Rugby World Cup and it was amazing."

Tickets to the film are on sale now at Hoyts Cinemas and website.