Production wraps on Rachel House's debut feature The Mountain

New Zealand based Piki Films and Sandy Lane Productions' The Mountain has wrapped production. 

The film was shot around the area of Taranaki, with support from Taranaki whānui. 

It is House’s directorial debut and introduces the young Beth Atkinson, Reuben Francis, and Terence Daniel, in the leading roles. They are joined by Troy Kingi, Byron Coll, Fern Sutherland, and Sukena Shah.

The Mountain is "a heartfelt drama about three children on a mission to find healing under the watchful eye of Taranaki Mounga (mountain) and discover friendship in the spirit of adventure" per the synopsis.

The film is co-written by House and New Zealand comedian Tom Furniss. House is known for her roles in the Aotearoa based Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Boy, and Whale Rider. She is also in Netflix’s Heartbreak High and has upcoming roles in Next Goal Wins, Foundation and Time Bandits.

The Mountain is produced by Desray Armstrong for Sandy Lane Productions and Morgan Waru for Piki Films with Carthew Neal, Taika Waititi and Paul Wiegard serving as Executive Producers.

The film is made with funding from the New Zealand Film Commission, the New Zealand Government’s Screen Production Grant, NZ On Air, Whaakata Māori, Department of Post, Native Audio, Nude Run, Hillfarrance and financed in association with Kiwibank.