Filmed on working farms across wider Wellington, The Dog Show celebrates family, community and the remarkable bond between people and their dogs—with warmth, humour and unmistakable Kiwi spirit.
When a slick local joins forces with a property development consortium, acquiring all the neighbouring farms, Jack Wilson digs his heels in and refuses to sell his family farm. Jack has farmed these hills his whole life - and doesn't intend to stop now. His grand daughter meanwhile has taken up dog trialling, desperate for her expert grand dad to help her, but he wants nothing of the sport that broke his heart.
What follows is a story about community, resilience, a family bond, and one stubborn sheep called Dolores, who understands everybody perfectly and obeys almost nobody.
We shot on working farms, in real woolsheds, on gravel roads that leave dust trails for miles. The dogs are all real-deal working farm dogs, that moonlight competing in dog trialling competitions when their handlers can get off their own farms.
Real places. Real sheep. A distinctly New Zealand story.
Starring Graham McTavish, David Wenham and introducing Unaiki Stephens-Jones. In New Zealand cinemas 14 January 2027.
