The heartwarming family feature film RUNT starring Jai Courtney and Celeste Barber will have its world premiere in Melbourne this weekend, before opening in cinemas across Australia this September.

RUNT will screen for the first time this Sunday 11 August as part of the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) before opening in cinemas on 19 September, in time for the school holidays.

The film will also be screened at CinefestOz in WA on 31 August and 6 September, where it is in competition for the 2024 CinefestOz film prize.

RUNT is a heartfelt and hilarious contemporary Australian family feature film based on the novel of the same name by acclaimed Australian author Craig Silvey (Jasper Jones, Honeybee). It 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 sheep farm by competing in the prestigious Krumpets Dog Show in London.

Produced by See Pictures, RUNT has been adapted for the screen by Craig Silvey and directed by John Sheedy (H is for Happiness, More Than This) and produced by Jamie Hilton (Breath, June Again).

RUNT boasts an incredible all-star Australian cast. Leading the film are two exciting new stars, nine-year-old Lily LaTorre (Run Rabbit Run) and rescue dog Squid in the title role of Runt. Lily plays protagonist Annie, alongside her actual brother – newcomer Jack LaTorre as Max. International star Jai Courtney (Jack Reacher, Suicide Squad) is their father Bryan Shearer, alongside Australia’s “Queen of Comedy” Celeste Barber (Wellmania, The Letdown) as Susie Shearer.

The cast also features Deborah Mailman (The Sapphires, Little J & Big Cuz), Australian icon Jack Thompson (The Man from Snowy River, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones), Matt Day (Muriel’s Wedding, Tangle), Tom Budge (Candy, Tracks) and Genevieve Lemon (Power of the Dog, The Piano).

The hit novel Runt was released in 2022 and has won several major literary awards including the Children’s Book Council of Australia's Book of the Year for Young Readers and Book of the Year for Younger Children at the Australian Book Industry Awards.

Ahead of the film’s premiere, Craig Silvey said: “I am so proud of this beautiful, uplifting film. Our stellar cast and talented team have perfectly captured the heart and humour of the book, and I can’t wait to share RUNT with audiences of all ages throughout Australia.”

Schools can arrange preview screenings of RUNT ahead of its premiere, with closed private group bookings available from 25 August. Teachers wishing to organise a Term 3 excursion should contact their local cinema to arrange a private group booking.

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.