The first trailer for New Zealand feature film The Dog Show has been released, offering audiences a glimpse of the heartwarming family drama ahead of its nationwide cinema release on 14 January 2027.
Set in rural New Zealand in the 1970s and inspired by the beloved television programme A Dog’s Show, the film stars Graham McTavish (Outlander, The Hobbit) as Jack, a former champion sheepdog triallist whose career ended in humiliating fashion after a disastrous loss involving a stubborn sheep named Dolores.
Years later, with his farm struggling and his confidence shattered, Jack is reluctantly drawn back into the competitive world of dog trialling when his granddaughter Lucy, played by newcomer Unaiki Stephens-Jones, reveals a remarkable natural talent for the sport. Together, the pair set out on a journey of redemption, facing old rivalries, family tensions and the challenge of one final trial.
The cast also includes David Wenham (The Lord of the Rings, Lion), Theresa Healey (Go Girls, Filthy Rich), Ryan O’Kane (One Lane Bridge), Kali Kopae (Whina, The Rings of Power), Jed Brophy and Jamie McCaskill.
For McTavish, the emotional themes at the heart of the film were a major drawcard.
“The kind of relationship that I have with my father is very similar in some ways to the relationship that Jack has with his son in the film,” he said. “It’s the kind of story that feels relevant and important, about reconciliation, family and finding common ground.”
Filmed on working farms throughout Wellington and the Wairarapa, The Dog Show features real dogs, sheep and rural landscapes, bringing an authentic feel to the production.
Producer Celia Jaspers said filming in genuine dog trialling environments was central to capturing the spirit of the story.
“We wanted audiences to feel immersed in rural New Zealand,” she said. “The landscapes, farms and working dogs are as much a part of the film as the characters themselves.”
Producer Mark Westerby believes the film’s appeal extends beyond its distinctly Kiwi setting.
“The Dog Show is about family, pride, second chances and the bond between people, animals and the land,” he said. “While it’s deeply rooted in New Zealand, it’s a story that audiences everywhere can connect with.”
Distributed by Transmission Films, The Dog Show combines humour, heart and small-town spirit against the backdrop of one of New Zealand’s most iconic rural traditions. The film opens in cinemas nationwide on 14 January 2027. Find the trailer on YouTube.
