Georgia Spillane has landed one of three main roles in relationship drama The Inland Road, which will be shot at locations in the Wakatipu basin over five weeks from this Sunday.
She will play the character of Lily, under the direction of Auckland-based writer, director and actress Jackie van Beek.
Van Beek said Georgia was one of eight girls chosen for a second audition from the 60 who tried out for the part last November.
She had been struck by her ''courage'' as well as an ability to take direction, improvise, learn lines and ''deliver them in a truthful way''.
''I was looking for all these different qualities in one person, and Georgia had them all.
''She's just a natural actress.''
Georgia said she liked acting because it made her ''learn new things and get to do new things''.
Among those new experiences were forming a close bond with van Beek and her two main co-actors, riding a horse and hanging out with the sheep and goats at the film's principal location, Ayrburn Farm near Arrowtown.
Her mother, Josie, said the opportunity to audition had come through a notice to parents from Georgia's school.
Missing a few weeks in the classroom was a small price to pay for a rare life experience, Ms Spillane said.
''We feel pretty privileged to have this opportunity.
''She's a little girl from Cromwell who's playing a part in a New Zealand feature film, and that's pretty cool.''
Van Beek, who also wrote the film's screenplay, said it was about a 15-year-old shearing gang rouser who survives a fatal car accident.
She recuperates at the farm where she last worked, along with the Scottish man responsible for the crash, and Georgia's character, whose father has died in the crash.
The other leading roles will be played by 17-year-old Aucklander Gloria Popata and Scottish actor David Elliot.
Other key parts have gone to Queenstown-raised actress Jodie Hillock and Chelsie Preston Crayford, daughter of New Zealand film director Gaylene Preston.
A 35-strong cast and crew will shuttle between locations in Glenorchy, Lowburn, Queenstown and in and around Arrowtown, while up to 70 locals will appear on screen as extras.
Van Beek said post-production was expected to be completed by next March.
