Kiwi artists to feature in new film

Grant Bowler, who plays Wolfgang West in the television series Outrageous Fortune, will star in the new telemovie. Photo / Supplied.

A new telemovie commissioned by TVNZ and NZ On Air will feature the talents of New Zealand actors, and the music of some of its best artists.

Panic At Rock Island, which will screen on TV2, tells the story of how a deadly virus strikes an idyllic island during a rock concert.

Top music acts Smashproof and Gin Wigmore will perform, and Outrageous Fortune's Grant Bowler, Go Girl's Anna Hutchison and Underbelly's Simone Kessell all have starring roles.

Underbelly's Tony Tilse will co-produce and direct the joint venture between Wellington's Gibson Group and Sydney's Goalpost Pictures.

Pre-production is well underway, with filming due to start soon and a broadcast date of early 2011.

- NZPA