Top Dog Film Festival

Overview

Talented pooches have been barking their way to big-screen stardom since the birth of the medium, and Cannes Film Festival even gives out awards for ace pupper performances. In Australia for a few years now, we also celebrate the intersection of canines and cinema — via our very own dog-themed movie showcase.

At the Top Dog Film Festival, doggos and puppers cement their status as humanity's favourite film stars in a touring program of pooch-centric shorts. For a couple of hours, dogs will leap across screens in a curated selection of heartwarming flicks about humanity's best friend. Over the last few years, the lineup has included films about dog-powered sports, dogs in space, dogs hiking through the desert, senior dogs and more — and also dolphin-spotting dogs, animal actors and mountain pups.

The festival hits Sydney's Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace at 2pm on Sunday, August 18 and Ritz Cinemas in Randwick at the same time on Sunday, August 25 as part of its 2024 run, and rushing after tickets the way your best four-legged friend rushes after a frisbee is recommended.

Given how much we all love watching dog videos online, not to mention attending pupper-centric shindigs in general, this event is always popular. You'd be barking mad to miss it, obviously.