Festivals fetch Red Dog film

Pilbara film Red Dog: True Blue is fast gaining international attention, having been selected for two of the top film festivals in the world months after its Australian release.

The film, a prequel to 2011’s hit Red Dog movie, which tells the story of a boy’s friendship with a Pilbara kelpie, screened at the Sundance Film Festival in the US on the weekend and last week was announced as one of only eight Australian films selected for this year’s Berlin Film Festival, known as the Berlinale.

Not only that, but in Berlin Red Dog will be the opener for the festival’s Generation Kplus specialised children’s film program.

Woss Group Film Productions head of development Ben Wright said it was an honour to be invited to both festivals, and especially to open the highly regarded Berlinale children’s program.

“For a small Australian film to get that over (major family films) Moana and Sing ... that’s a great result for us and really shows how good the film is,” he said. “For us to open Berlin, we’re absolutely honoured.”

He said the production company had high hopes for the film internationally and would be working with Tourism WA and Screen Australia to make the most of its profile.

“We’re very hopeful of the film’s progress in the international marketplace,” he said.

“We think it’s a great international story.”

Screen Australia chief executive Graeme Mason said the eight films selected for Berlin were a testament to the strength of Australian film-making talent and storytelling. Red Dog premiered in the Pilbara in December and is now screening in cinemas nationally.