Top Dog Film Festival 2025
Top Dog Film Festival Returns in 2025 with Heartwarming Stories of Canine Courage, Companionship and Adventure
Touring Australia this August – Celebrate the Bond Between Dogs and Humans Through a Unique Cinematic Experience
The beloved Top Dog Film Festival is back for another heartwarming season this August, with a brand-new line-up of short films that celebrate the extraordinary connection between dogs and humans. Touring across Australia, the 2025 festival features tales of adventure, resilience, and canine joy — reminding us why dogs truly are our best friends.
This year’s curated collection brings together incredible real-life stories from around the world — from bloodhounds tracking poachers in Africa to ultra-running Vizslas in the Pacific Northwest, pampered hotel pups, and unlikely sporting heroes. Whether it’s laughter, tears, or feel good moments you’re after, the 2025 Top Dog Film Festival delivers it all, one wagging tail at a time.
New for 2025: An In-House Production
A special highlight of this year’s festival is Canine Concierge, a delightful short film produced by the Top Dog Film Festival team. Shot on location across three continents, the film showcases the charming lives of hotel dogs — from Canada’s snow-loving Archie, to London’s dapper Dash, and Tasmania’s guest-comforting Labrador, also named Archie.
"We’re so excited to present a film of our own creation this year," says Jemima Robinson, Festival Founder and Director. “Canine Concierge captures the spirit of everything the Top Dog Film Festival stands for — joy, connection, and the incredible way dogs bring comfort and character into every space they inhabit. It’s a love letter to the dogs who welcome us, calm us, and remind us we’re never truly alone.”
The Top Dog Film Festival is more than a film event — it’s a celebration of the unconditional love, loyalty, and laughter dogs bring into our lives. Whether you're a seasoned dog owner, an animal lover, or simply appreciate uplifting storytelling, this unique cinematic event promises an unforgettable experience.
More Inclusive Than Ever
In a move to make the festival more accessible and welcoming to a broader audience, all films in the 2025 Top Dog Film Festival will include on-screen subtitles. This initiative supports not only those who are deaf or hard of hearing, but also people for whom English is a second language, neurodivergent viewers, and anyone who benefits from additional visual context while watching films. It’s part of the festival’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity — ensuring that more people, from more walks of life, can experience the joy and connection these stories offer.
Touring Australia – August 2025
The festival will tour cinemas nationwide, including major cities and regional towns. Grab your fellow dog lovers, tissues, and popcorn — this year’s festival is packed with heart and fur.
Film Highlights from the 2025 Line-Up:
● Eben (USA) – The world’s most adventurous French Bulldog teaches us how to live fully, love deeply, and chase seals with joy.
● George (UK) – A puppy becomes a beacon of hope in the Cumbrian hills, helping his owner find his way back from illness and despair.
● SuperNova: The 100 Mile Dog (USA) – A Hungarian Vizsla and her ultra-runner dad embark on an epic journey of instinct, trust, and endurance.
● Lux (France) – Deep in Africa, a bloodhound’s nose becomes a powerful tool in the fight against rhino poaching.
● Canine Concierge (Australia) – Produced by the Top Dog Film Festival, this globe-trotting short features three unforgettable hotel hounds redefining VIP treatment.
● Brought Back to Life (USA) – A man and a rescue dog find renewed purpose together in the world of search and rescue.
● Hustle and Run (UK) – A scrappy whippet and her team of underdog Flyball athletes chase glory at Crufts in this joyful British sports tale.
● If You Can (Ukraine) – A poetic animated short reflecting on human complexity and the peaceful presence dogs bring to our lives.
Dates
Times
2pm
Duration
170 minutes
Interval
20 mins
Prices
Adult
$35
Concession
$32
Student
$32
Child
$26
Group 10+
$31 each (minimum cost $310)
Araluen Member
$32
Genre
Location
Extra information
Online ticketing is available up until one hour prior to the performance.
For ticket purchases after this time, please visit the Araluen Box Office or call us on (08) 8951 1122.
Accessibility
Rating
Booking Fee
For this event, a one-off service fee of $2.50 per transaction applies on all purchases online. All ticket prices include GST.