An advertisement posted on Internet websites in which short people are being sought for a movie project about hobbits has created a buzz among the film community.

Many Ghanaians seem to have sent in their applications.

"Hi! We are seeking short people for a documentary shoot (low budget)," says the advertisement on websites including Yahoo's moviezone forum.

"They need to be 3.8 ft (1.1m) to 4.4ft (1.4m) high. Any gender/any ethnic (group)/any country. They should have (a) proportionate body, a valid passport and (be) ready to travel for four months."

Indian casting director Sameer Bhardwaj says he is working for an Australian company interested in making a film about hobbits, mythical small creatures who play a central role in J.R.R. Tolkien's book 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings'.

"We have received pictures from across the world, notably from Ghana and Macedonia," he said.

Bhardwaj, who also helped cast for New Zealand movie director Peter Jackson's 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy, says he is now something of an expert on the topic of short people.

"There's an entire village in Macedonia where no one is over 120 centimetres (3.9 feet) tall. And Nepal has the world's largest number of short people," he said.

Shooting of the mystery film begins in August and actors will be paid 120 dollars a week. Cost of travel, accommodation and food will be met by the company.

Locations are in Australia and parts of Asia. Although the short people will only have bit parts, all actors will be expected to be available for four months, Bhardwaj said.