WELLINGTON, Today: Cameras start rolling this November on A Dog’s Show—a heartwarming Kiwi film inspired by the TV classic that once made sheepdog trialling must-watch telly across the nation.
Set in 1970s rural Aotearoa, the story follows a washed-up triallist dragged out of retirement by his feisty granddaughter and their faithful dogs, all on a mission to save the family farm.
Graham McTavish (yes, that McTavish—Outlander, The Hobbit, The Witcher) is onboard to play Jack, a proud farmer with one last shot at redemption.
“New Zealand has been my home since 2011, and I’ve been looking for the right script for a Kiwi feature film. A Dog’s Show is a thoroughly engaging, funny, gripping and entertaining read with so much heart and warmth,” says McTavish.
The film is written and directed by Alex Galvin (Eternity, Turn of the Screw) and produced by Mark Westerby, Celia Jaspers and Galvin. Timothy White joins as Executive Producer, with casting by Miranda Rivers.
“One of my fondest childhood memories was watching A Dog’s Show every Sunday night with my family.” – Alex Galvin
Filming will happen across the Wellington region, using real farms, trained dogs, and expert handlers to bring the trial scenes to life—100% authentically Kiwi.
“One of my fondest childhood memories was watching A Dog’s Show every Sunday night with my family. With this film, I want to honour that simplicity and charm, while telling a story full of warmth, humour and heart. I know that audiences—whether they know the original series or not—will fall in love with it,” says Galvin.
Producer Mark Westerby adds, “This is a homegrown New Zealand story with a global heart—rich in nostalgia, humour and hope. It’s Country Calendar meets Babe: wholesome, entertaining and deeply Kiwi.”
“We’re taking a much-loved part of Kiwi culture and celebrating New Zealand’s rural identity while delivering a cinematic experience for modern family audiences,” says Producer Celia Jaspers.
At its core, A Dog’s Show is about redemption, legacy and the bond between generations—wrapped in laughs, loyalty, and rural charm.
The film will be distributed by Transmission Films across New Zealand and Australia.
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