Heartwarming WA family film RUNT competing for CinefestOZ’s $100K Film Prize ahead of 19 September release
Based on Craig Silvey's best-selling novel and starring Jai Courtney, Celeste Barber and Lily LaTorre, RUNT is in the running for CinefestOZ's coveted annual film prize alongside Australian feature films Memoir of a Snail, Audrey and The Moogai.
Upcoming Western Australia feature film RUNT has been announced as one of the four Australian films in the running to win CinefestOZ’s coveted annual $100,000 Film Prize, ahead of the film’s cinema release on 19 September.
RUNT joins Oscar-winning Adam Elliot’s animated drama Memoir of a Snail, dark comedy Audrey by director Natalie Bailey, and the thought-provoking First Nations horror The Moogai by director Jon Bell.
Based on Craig Silvey’s best-selling novel, RUNT tells the story of eleven-year-old Annie Shearer and her best friend, an adopted stray dog called Runt, who try to save their family farm by competing in the Agility Course Grand Championships at the prestigious Krumpets Dog Show in London.
Filmed in Perth and the Wheatbelt town of York, the live action feature is adapted for the screen by its Western Australian author Craig Silvey (Jasper Jones), directed by multi-award winning John Sheedy (H is for Happiness), and produced by Jamie Hilton (June Again, Breath).
RUNT brings together an all-star Australian cast including Jai Courtney, Celeste Barber, Deborah Mailman, Matt Day and Jack Thompson. Leading the picture are two new stars… nine-year-old Lily LaTorre who plays the story’s hero Annie Shearer, and rescue dog Squid in the title role of Runt.
“Congratulations to Craig, John, Jamie and the entire RUNT cast and crew! The film has some incredible competition this year at CinefestOZ, and we can’t wait for audiences of all ages to experience this feel-good Western Australian story. We’re incredibly proud of RUNT, which continues to highlight our impressive local talent and stunning Wheatbelt locations.” said Rikki Lea Bestall, Screenwest CEO.
RUNT will hit Australian cinemas on Thursday 19 September, with a Film Prize screening taking place at CinefestOZ on Friday, 6 September. The screening will also be followed by an In Conversation Brunch with the filmmaking team at the Hilton Garden Inn, Busselton on Saturday 7 September. Tickets available here.
CinefestOZ’s 2024 Film Prize winner will be announced at the festival’s gala event on Saturday, 7 September.
Production Credit: RUNT is a See Pictures Pty Ltd production. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Screenwest, Lotterywest and the WA Regional Screen Fund. Financed with support from Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF), Birdbath, Screen NSW and Spectrum Entertainment. Developed with the assistance of Screenwest and Lotterywest. Local distribution and international sales by STUDIOCANAL.
Contact Screenwest
T: +61 8 6169 2100
E: info@screenwest.com.au
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date with Screenwest.