Coming up this week on KUCI 88.9fm at 9:30am - Belindalee Hope, producer, Be Hope Films and Royd Tolkien, director, producer and great-grandson of J.R.R. Tolkien join Janeane to talk about THERE’S A HOLE IN MY BUCKET - J.R.R. Tolkien’s great-grandson takes on the secret bucket list his late brother left him. Narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch.

photo courtesy of K.O. PR

photo courtesy of K.O. PR

THERE’S A HOLE IN MY BUCKET

J.R.R. Tolkien’s great-grandson takes on the secret bucket list his late brother left him. Narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch.

ABOUT
When Royd Tolkien, great-grandson of J.R.R. Tolkien, loses his brother Mike to Motor Neurone Disease (ALS), Mike leaves behind one final act of love and mischief: a secret bucket list of 50 challenges designed to drag his reluctant, comfort-zone-hugging brother into the land of the living. 

What follows is an unexpected journey across New Zealand that pushes a grieving man further than he ever imagined possible. Narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch, with Peter Jackson, Billy Boyd, John Rhys-Davies and Weta Workshop along for the ride, the film is a raucous, tender argument that the best eulogy isn’t a speech, it’s a bucket list.

photo courtesy of K.O. PR

photo courtesy of K.O. PR

INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE

The first-ever New Zealand Spotlight

Newport Beach Film Festival

Wednesday, October 21 | 7:30 p.m.

Triangle 5, Costa Mesa, California


In contention for jury, audience and festival awards

Los Angeles and Orange County, October 19 to 22

Royd Tolkien, director, producer and great-grandson of J.R.R. Tolkien

Jed Brophy, actor, The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The Rings of Power


Belindalee Hope, producer, Be Hope Films

“It breaks your heart and has you laughing out loud in the same breath.”

Sold-out world premiere at Doc Edge 2026, followed by sold-out screenings in Auckland and Wellington. Cover stories in the NZ Herald and Canvas Magazine.



CHARITY AUCTION A copy of The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, signed by Sir Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis and others from the world of Middle-earth, goes to auction alongside the festival screening. All proceeds benefit ALS Network, in partnership with ALS United Orange County.

Be Hope Films and Royd Tolkien Productions present. Directed by Royd Tolkien, Drew Cullingham and Robert Cavanah. Produced by Belindalee Hope, Royd Tolkien and James Fisher. 89 minutes.

Worldwide rights available; Australia and New Zealand licensed to Screen Inc.