Rating: PG 

Synopsis 

Runt is a heartfelt and hilarious contemporary Australian family film based on the best-selling and critically acclaimed novel by Craig Silvey. It tells the story of eleven-year-old Annie Shearer and her best friend, an adopted stray dog called Runt, as they try to save their family farm in the country town of Upson Downs. 

Annie and Runt share an unbreakable bond. Runt's exceptional speed and acrobatics are perfect for herding sheep, but Annie discovers a more ambitious use for his talents – the Agility Course Championships at the lucrative Krumpets Dog Show in London.  

Many obstacles stand in their way. There’s Fergus Fink, an unscrupulous dog handler. Earl Robert-Barren, a greedy land-owner intent on acquiring the Shearer property. And a strange quirk: Runt will only obey Annie’s commands when nobody else is watching. 

To overcome these hurdles, Annie enlists the help of her mother Susie - the nation’s worst baker, her father Bryan who harbours a secret passion, her daredevil brother Max, her widow grandmother Dolly, and Bernadette Box, a mysterious retired champion.  

With all eyes on them, Annie and Runt try to beat the odds in this sincere and charming tale of kindness, friendship, tunnels, see-saws, slaloms, and, above all, living your truth. 

Runt, the Novel

Craig Silvey released his book Runt in 2022 and the heart-warming, funny, beautifully told story for readers of all ages quickly became a bestseller.  The hit novel won a clean sweep of the major Australian literary awards and is a favourite of bookshops, libraries, schools and families.   

Runt Literary awards include: 

WINNER: Dymocks Book of the Year for Younger Readers 2022 

WINNER: Indie Book Awards, Best Children's Book 2023 

WINNER: Indie Book Awards, Book of the Year 2023 

WINNER: Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards, Book of the Year: Younger Readers 2023 

WINNER: Australian Book Industry Awards, Book of the Year for Younger Children 2023 

WINNER: BookPeople Book of the Year Awards, Children’s Book of the Year 2023 

WINNER: Australian Book Industry Awards, Book of the Year for Younger Children 2024 

Additional Resources  

Allen & Unwin Teaching Resource:  

https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Craig-Silvey-Runt-9781761067846  

Reading Australia – Forthcoming Resource: 

https://readingaustralia.com.au/books/runt/ 

Runt is a See Pictures feature film, based on the novel by Craig Silvey.

Producer: Jamie Hilton, Michael Pontin

Co-Producer: Jessy Rolleston Palmer

Executive Producers: Bernadette O’Mahony, Howard Cearns, Joshua Pomeranz

Co-Executive Producers: Elizabeth Trottman, Greg Denning

Writer: Craig Silvey

Director: John Sheedy

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, Birdbath, Screen NSW, and Spectrum Entertainment. Developed with the assistance of Screenwest and Lotterywest. Local distribution and international sales by STUDIOCANAL. Education resource by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.