The selection of New Zealand feature film Mr Pip to premiere in the special presentation section of the Toronto International Film Festival is being welcomed by the New Zealand Film Commission.
Hugh Laurie, the star of the award-winning television series House, plays Mr Watts, a teacher on war-torn island of Bougainville who reads children Great Expectations.
The novel written by New Zealander Lloyd Jones was short-listed for the Booker Prize.
The film is the first independent feature project of Andrew Adamson, the New Zealand film maker who directed Shrek films and wrote, directed and produced The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.
Commission chief executive Graeme Mason says Mr Pip is an outstanding New Zealand film from an outstanding New Zealand film maker.
"Mr Pip's selection again places a spotlight on New Zealand's wider film making talent in what is set to be a massive year for our industry."
The film was financed by Olympus Pictures, Daydream Productions, Eyeworks Films, The New Zealand Film Commission, NZ on Air and TV3.
It will be distributed in New Zealand and Australia by Transmission Films and Paramount Pictures.
The Toronto festival opens on September 6.
