Jai Courtney (Bryan Shearer) and Celeste Barber (Susie Shearer) in Perth preparing to shoot Runt. Photo by Finlay MacKay.

Craig Silvey’s best-selling novel Runt is being made into a feature film in Western Australia with an incredible all-star Australian cast including Jai Courtney, Celeste Barber, Deborah Mailman, Matt Day and Jack Thompson.

Leading the picture are two new stars: nine-year-old Lily La Torre who plays the story’s hero Annie Shearer, and rescue dog Squid in the title role of Runt.

See Pictures are commencing production on the feel-good family dog movie with major production investment from Screen Australia, Screenwest and Lotterywest and the WA Regional Screen Fund. Also co-financing are The Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF), a collective of Western Australian private investors assembled by Birdbath, as well as Screen NSW and Spectrum Entertainment.

The live action feature is adapted for the screen by its Western Australian author Craig Silvey (Jasper Jones), to be directed by John Sheedy (H is for Happiness), and produced by Jamie Hilton (Breath, June Again).

The film’s international sales are being handled by STUDIOCANAL, Europe’s leader in production, distribution and international sales of feature films and series. STUDIOCANAL Australia and New Zealand will release locally.

Runt is a heartfelt and hilarious contemporary Australian family feature film, set in the country town of Upson Downs. 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 farm by competing in the Agility Course Grand Championships at the prestigious Krumpets Dog Show in London. Annie lives on the struggling sheep farm with her brother Max, her parents Bryan and Susie, and Annie’s grandma Dolly.

“I’m absolutely thrilled Runt will be moving into production here in Western Australia, with a stellar cast and crew, under the brilliant leadership of director John Sheedy and producer Jamie Hilton. I’m a parochial Western Australian storyteller, and I’m especially proud that we will be showcasing the landscapes and architecture and community spirit of the Wheatbelt region through the town of Upson Downs,” said Silvey.

Runt author Craig Silvey (left) with Lily LaTorre (Annie) right, and Squid (Runt) middle. Photo by Court McAllister.

The cast features siblings in the roles of children Annie and Max. Lily La Torre (Run Rabbit Run) will play protagonist Annie, alongside her actual brother – newcomer Jack La Torre as daredevil Max.

International star Jai Courtney (Jack Reacher, Divergent, Suicide Squad) is their father Bryan Shearer, returning to Perth for the production (where he studied at WAAPA – WA Academy of Performing Arts), alongside Australia’s “Queen of comedy” Celeste Barber (Wellmania, The Letdown) as Susie Shearer.

Beloved screen legend Deborah Mailman (The Sapphires, Total Control) will play mentor Bernadette Box and Australian icon Jack Thompson (Breaker Morant, The Man from Snowy River, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones) is the villainous Earl Robert-Barren.

Rounding out the ensemble is Matt Day (Sweet Country, Muriel’s Wedding, Tangle) as the unscrupulous Fergus Fink and Tom Budge (Candy, Tracks, The Proposition) as his sidekick Simpkins, with Genevieve Lemon (Power of the Dog, The Piano) playing the fearless Grandmother looking for love, Dolly Shearer.

Squid will play Runt – a dog of indeterminable breed and buckets of charm. Like Runt, Squid is a rescue, the production’s animal department cast and rescued her, she has undergone months of training and is ready to become an Australian screen legend herself.

“To work alongside some of Australia’s most iconic actors is a true privilege and I’m delighted to collaborate with Craig Silvey once again. Together, we are crafting a feel-good movie that promises to take the audience on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, from belly laughs to heartfelt moments, all while exuding endless charm,” said director John Sheedy.

Runt will begin shooting in Western Australia, in Perth and the Wheatbelt town of York in November.