Far North creatives produce first FNQ medieval fantasy film ‘Quest: A Hero Within’

A tale of fallen nights, spirited messengers and orc armies set against the backdrop of Far North Queensland’s tropical rainforests, has come to life thanks to a band of local creatives.

Cairns filmmakers and actors have begun filming local production Quest: A Hero Within. Production crew Vsselin Petkov, Elleni Geena Adams, Andre Scholz, Sam Evans, Lucrezia Cecchi, Keziah Warren and Nicholas Brack are set to start the actors on stunt training and swordsmanship at Defy Gravity gym and training centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

A tale of fallen nights, spirited messengers and orc armies set against the backdrop of Far North Queensland’s tropical rainforests, has come to life thanks to a band of local creatives.

Quest: A Hero Within, will follow Astrid, a young messenger who teams up with fallen knight Garahn, as they combat a rising orc leader in a dark fantasy saga of redemption, sacrifice and courage.

Film director Andre Scholz said the film would be the first medieval fantasy made in Far North Queensland.

“We’re thrilled to showcase the region’s stunning landscapes, which we believe rival those of New Zealand,” Mr Scholz said.

Cairns filmmakers and actors have begun filming local production Quest: A Hero Within. Movie hero Elleni Geena Adams (front) with orcs Robert Bryant, Chris Ghensi, Beau Strickland and Boyd Robertson begin weapons training at Defy Gravity gym and training centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Our goal is to prove that we can create world-class medieval fantasy films right here in our backyard, with a unique tropical twist.”

The film has already employed around 70 local creatives including cast and crew with filming taking place in various locations including Goomboora Park and Paronella Park.

“Myself and (producer) Nick Brack put the concept together and then we summoned the community, businesses, sponsors and people we know around the local area who are filmmakers,” he said.

“Far North Queensland has all these actors, filmmakers and talented people but because we don’t quite have an industry here at the moment, it’s more of a passion project.”

Main characters Astrid and Knight in medieval fantasy movie Quest: A Hero Within, which is being filmed, directed and produced in Far North Queensland. Photo: Supplied/Conor Kerlin.

Mr Scholz, who is a high school film teacher by trade, said it was important to not only retain local creatives, but to upskill them as well.

“There is a hype here at the moment with Screen Queensland building that studio,” he said.

“And they’ve looked at us, given us a thumbs up, said, we like what you’re doing and they’ve connected us with some crew to help train and bring on board as well, which has been really valuable.”

The film will star local filmmaker turned actor Elleni Geena Adams as Astrid, Heartbreak High alum Gareth Edwards as fallen knight Garahn and local actor Keziah Warren as the villain, Krogork.

Cairns filmmakers and actors have begun filming local production Quest: A Hero Within. Production crew Vsselin Petkov, Elleni Geena Adams, Andre Scholz, Sam Evans, Lucrezia Cecchi, Keziah Warren and Nicholas Brack are set to start the actors on stunt training and swordsmanship at Defy Gravity gym and training centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

Lead actor Keziah Warren, who previously acted in North Queensland theatre productions, said she had been excited by the script the first time she read it.

“I’ve got an affinity with science fiction and fantasy characters and stories that are in a heightened reality,” Ms Warren said.
“That way, to me, it allows one to distance oneself from themes enough to tell them, to talk about stories of betrayal and violence and politics, but with the nice facade of X wings.”

The film is expected to wrap shooting in September and will be released in late 2024 or early 2025.

Originally published as Far North creatives produce first FNQ medieval fantasy film ‘Quest: A Hero Within’