“Fantasy is escapist, and that is its glory. If a soldier is imprisioned by the enemy, don’t we consider it his duty to escape?. . .If we value the freedom of mind and soul, if we’re partisans of liberty, then it’s our plain duty to escape, and to take as many people with us as we can!” ― J.R.R. Tolkien
Grab your cloak, sharpen your sword, and keep your potions handy because we’re heading into the world of fantasy fan films!
Whether it’s brave heroes, powerful mages, or dragon-slaying misfits, these fan-made adventures prove that you don’t need a Hollywood budget to make a quality movie. Made by fans, for fans, each of these fan films is packed with passion, heart, and just the right amount of nerdy charm. If you love epic quests, mythical creatures, and seeing fandom come alive in creative ways, get ready for five fantasy fan films that bring the magic (no spellbook required).
HORN OF GONDOR (2020) A Tolkien Fan Film
“After the invasion of the fierce hordes of Balchoth, Gondor is on a brink of destruction. The Ruling steward Cirion places his hope to the North, to the half-forgotten nation of the Horselords. Will the knight Borondir succeed and convey Cirion’s message?
Horn of Gondor fan film was made in the Czech Republic and depicts a lesser-known chapter from the Tolkien’s world, set 500 years before the story of The Lord of the Rings.”
Born of Hope (2012)
“Born of Hope is an independent feature film inspired by the Lord of the Rings and produced by Kate Madison of Actors at Work Productions in the UK. This 70 minute original drama is set in the time before the War of the Ring and tells the story of the Dúnedain, the Rangers of the North, before the return of the King. Inspired by only a couple of paragraphs written by Tolkien in the appendices of the Lord of the Rings we follow Arathorn and Gilraen, the parents of Aragorn, from their first meeting through a turbulent time in their people’s history. A scattered people, the descendants of storied sea kings of the ancient West, struggle to survive in a lonely wilderness as a dark force relentlessly bends its will toward their destruction. Yet amidst these valiant, desperate people, hope remains. A royal house endures unbroken from father to son.”
“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living.”
― Dr. Seuss
TROLL BRIDGE
“Cohen the Barbarian was angry. Angry that he never died in battle, angry that the world had forgotten him, and angry that his knees were starting to play up in the cold. He was also angry that his faithful mount had been gifted the ability of magical speech. The horse was insisting that they had made a wrong turn back at Slice. He was also angry that the horse was probably right. This was not how it was supposed to end for the barbarian. This was not how the Discworld’s greatest hero imagined it at all.”
The Hunt For Gollum – The Fan Film (2009)
“The Hunt for Gollum is an independent film based on appendices in The Lord of the Rings. It was produced entirely by fans, and released free to the Internet in 2009. Locations include Epping Forest and Snowdonia, north Wales. Awards include ‘Best Fiction Produced for the Web’, 2009 and Best Live Action at Balticon. Prompted by Gandalf, a ranger by the name of Strider sets out to search for the creature Gollum, who knows the location of the Ring.”
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RIVEN | Dark Fantasy Short Film
“Battling the demons begotten by the death of his wife, a warrior seeks redemption in bringing her back from the dead.”
