The first look at Australian family film Runt, based on Craig Silvey’s best-selling 2022 novel, has been released by distributor Studiocanal ahead of its national theatrical release on September 19 this year.
The story revolves around 11-year-old Annie Shearer and her best friend, an adopted stray dog named Runt, who competes in agility at the Clampetts Dog Show in London to save her family’s drought-stricken farm. -Try to win the course championship. .
Promising a blend of heartwarming moments and humour, the live-action film is written by the Western Australian author, playwright and screenwriter behind novels such as modern classics Jasper Johns (2009) and Honeybee (2020). It was adapted for the screen by Silvey.
The novel it is based on has won major Australian awards, including the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s ‘Book of the Year for Young Readers’ and the Australian Indie Book Awards’ Overall Book of the Year. He has already won several literary awards.
The film is directed by award-winning theater and film director John Sheedy, whose debut film H is for Happiness won the $100,000 Cinefest OZ Film Award in 2019 and won the 2020 Berlinale Award. He performed at the opening of Generation K Plus and received a special award from the judges.
Read: Movie Review: H is Fun for Happiness
Runt was produced by Sea Pictures’ Jamie Hilton (June Again, Breath of the Wild) and was filmed in Western Australia and London, where parts of the story are set.
Announcing the film’s premiere, Craig Silvey said, “I am so proud of this beautiful and uplifting film.” Our amazing cast and talented team perfectly capture the heart and humor of this book and we can’t wait to share Runt with audiences of all ages across Australia. ”
Runt: Cast
The cast is led by Annie Shearer, the story’s protagonist, and newcomer Lily LaTorre, 9, who plays the title role of runt and rescue dog Squid (pictured).
The cast also includes Jai Courtney, Celeste Barber, Deborah Mailman, Matt Day, Jack Thompson, Genevieve Lemon, Sarah Roberts, and Joel Jackson.
Runt: Trailer
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As for Runt, producer Jamie Hilton told Screen Daily last year: “Many of the Sea Pictures team, investors, cast and crew are Australian parents and we wanted to make this fun film for their children and grandchildren. “We’re creating a channel that is timeless.” With characters like Babe and Paddington, we’ve created an Australian legend we can all cherish. ”
Runt is funded by Screen Australia, Screenwest, Lotterywest, the WA Regional Screen Fund, the Australian Children’s Television Foundation, a private investor collective under the Birdbath banner, state government agency Screen NSW and Spectrum Entertainment .
Studiocanal is handling international sales and will distribute Runt directly in Australia and New Zealand, with a release in cinemas on September 19, 2024.
