ACTF News

Whale Shark Jack will soon be available to audiences in several territories across Europe and North America, following a string of international sales to broadcasters.

The live-action family feature film has been acquired by Canal+ in France, RTE in Ireland, RTV Slovenia, Netherlands Public Broadcasting, and BYUtv in the United States. The film has also been adapted into a book of the same name by Penguin Random House.

Whale Shark Jack is a heartwarming adventure story about family, friendship, resilience and the natural world. Filmed around Western Australia’s spectacular Ningaloo Reef, it follows 12-year-old Sarah (Alyla Browne), who lives on a boat with her marine biologist parents. Her only friend is a whale shark named Jack, who she rescued as a baby. Following a tragic accident, Sarah and her mother move to the coastal town of Exmouth, but when Jack fails to return from his migration, Sarah embarks on a risky mission to find him.

Whale Shark Jack is a beautifully crafted family story with a distinctly Australian voice and setting that has global appeal with its themes of friendship, family, resilience and courage.

ACTF Head of Content Bernadette O’Mahony said: “Whale Shark Jack is exactly the kind of film broadcasters and streamers around the world are looking for – a high-quality, authentic story full of heart and humour with universal themes that speak to children and adults alike. Whale Shark Jack is a truly beautiful film full of characters and locations audiences across the world will fall in love with.”

Whale Shark Jack will have its international premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival in California in October.

Whale Shark Jack is the second film in the ACTF and Stan partnership, which brings original new films to children and their families. It follows the award-winning Windcatcher (2024). Both films are distributed internationally by the Australian Children's Television Foundation.

Images of Whale Shark Jack can be downloaded here. For more information, please contact emma.field@actf.com.au.

The Stan original film Whale Shark Jack is produced by Cottesloe Films and Southern Light Films, as part of the Australian Children's Television Foundation (ACTF) / Stan Family Film partnership. ​Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with the Australian Children’s Television Foundation and Stan. Financed with support from Screenwest, Lotterywest, and the Western Australian Government through the Western Australian Regional Screen Fund, and in association with Minderoo Pictures. International sales by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.