The Australian bestselling novel “Runt” is to be adapted into a feature film, which will begin shooting next month. Studiocanal is handling international rights sales and local distribution in Australia and New Zealand.
The story is a heartfelt contemporary Australian tale set in the country town of Upson Downs, where eleven-year-old Annie Shearer and her best friend, an adopted stray dog named Runt, try to save their family farm by competing in the Agility Course Grand Championships at the prestigious Krumpets Dog Show in London.
The book was published in 2022 and has swept Australia’s major literary awards, including the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book of the Year for Young Readers, Book of the Year for Younger Children at the Australian Book Industry Awards and Overall Book of the Year at the Australian Indie Book Awards.
The film will be adapted by Western Australian author Craig Silvey (“Jasper Jones”), directed by John Sheedy (“H is for Happiness”) and produced by Jamie Hilton (“Breath”, “June Again”).
See Pictures is producing with major production investment from Screen Australia, Screenwest and Lotterywest and the WA Regional Screen Fund. It is also co-financed by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF), a collective of Western Australian private investors assembled by Birdbath, as well as Screen NSW and Spectrum Entertainment.
“Runt will begin filming in Western Australia next month in Perth and the Wheatbelt town of York.
The film stars Jai Courtney (“Jack Reacher”, “Divergent”, “Suicide Squad”), Celeste Barber (“Wellmania”, “The Letdown”), Deborah Mailman (“Sapphires”, “Total Control”), Matt Day and Jack Thompson (“Breaker Morant”, “The Man from Snowy River”, “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones”). Leading the cast are new stars, nine-year-old Lily LaTorre, who plays the story’s heroine Annie Shearer, her real-life brother Jack LaTorre and Squid, a dog rescued and retrained over several months by the production’s animal department. She is “ready to become an Australian screen legend in her own right”, say the producers.
Rounding out the ensemble are Matt Day (“Sweet Country”, “Muriel’s Wedding”), Tom Budge (“Candy”, “Tracks”) and Genevieve Lemon (“Power of the Dog”).
“The See Pictures team, our investors and many of our cast and crew are Australian parents making this joyful film for our children and grandchildren. We’re trying to channel timeless characters like Babe and Paddington to create an Australian legend we can all cherish,” said Hilton, referring to Studiocanal’s role behind the Paddington film franchise.
“I am delighted to be working with Craig Silvey once again. Together we are creating a feel-good film that promises to take audiences on a rollercoaster of emotions, from belly laughs to heartfelt moments, all while exuding endless charm,” said Sheedy.
