As the excitement of the wonderful weekend many of us shared in New York City for the Radio City Fellowship of the Ring concerts winds down, TORn would like to officially thank the generous businesses that donated prizes for various events held throughout the weekend. Follow the links to check out their great merchandise: Royal Selangor – pewter Frodo goblet, pewter Galadriel goblet; Jens Hansen – silver chain from their LOTR collection; Impact Books – “Forging Dragons” book of dragon artwork by John Howe; author Ethan Gilsdorf – copies of his book “Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks”; Fantasy Flight Games – Lord of the Rings – the Confrontation board games; artist Colleen Doran – “Gimli’s Gift” prints; Design Toscano – $25 gift certificate; Alpha Video – Christopher Lee oldies DVDs; Weta Workshop – key chains; Mythology Body – soaps; Vampirathemovie.com – temporary tattoos designed by Daniel Reeve; Shop New Zeeland – manuka honey samples; Connolly’s Pub – pens; Idaho Potato Commission – various ‘tater’ related prizes. Thank you all!

Oscar-winner Guillermo Del Toro may be a big guy in Hollywood circles but the director of The Hobbit is only too happy to help some of the local film industry’s “little guys”. He has pledged his name and support to a Q&A fundraising event for Wellington producer Bonnie Slater and director Sam Kelly’s first feature film, One for the Road. Billed as New Zealand’s first musical drama, it’s slated to shoot early next year and follows the fortunes of a struggling, small town band.

“We’re thrilled to have Guillermo’s support,” Slater says. “He has not done any event of this kind in New Zealand before and it’s a coup to have attracted him to headline our fundraiser and help promote our cause. More..

Dr Dimitra Fimi, Associate Lecturer: University of Wales Institute, Cardiff writes: Festival in the Shire: A celebration of all things Tolkien inspired! Announcing the biggest and most exciting event for Tolkien enthusiasts in 2010: Festival in the Shire is a conference, exhibition and fair celebrating themes inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien, which will be held in mid-Wales, in Machynlleth’s historic Y Plas house and grounds between 13 and 15 August 2010. Continue reading “Announcing ‘Festival in the Shire’”

avatarSay whatever you wish about James Cameron or his movies (“Terminator 2,” “Aliens,” “Titanic” “The Abyss”) but he doesn’t play things safe. He showcased some 3-D footage of the upcoming “Avatar” (December 18) at this summer’s Comic-Con and then in one of the convention’s all-time highlights, took the stage with Peter Jackson to talk about technology, film and the future. Our friends at Weta have been heavily involved and will share some credit or blame for the success or failure of his latest, risky $230 million film. Dana Goodyear at The New Yorker has an excellent profile of the film director with a dose of Weta thrown in. Read it here

Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson’s new movie The Lovely Bones has been chosen for this year’s Royal Film Performance. Jackson said he is “honoured” it has been selected, adding its making has been “an extraordinary journey”. The world charity gala is due to take place in late November in London’s Leicester Square. The movie, based on Alice Sebold’s best-selling book, stars Susan Sarandon and Rachel Weisz. More..