Red Dog roams to Berlin for world premiere

Culture and the Arts Minister John Day and Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls have announced that the Australian film 'Red Dog' will have its world premiere on February 13 at the 61st Berlin International Film Festival.

'Red Dog', the uniquely Western Australian story of a charismatic red kelpie who roamed the Pilbara region in the 1970s, was part-financed through ScreenWest and the State Government's Royalties for Regions program.

Mr Day said the film would compete for the ?10,000 prize against 12 other films from Australia, China, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Peru, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States and Venezuela in the 'Generation 14 Plus' category. 

"Berlinale is one of the most popular film festivals on the international circuit with about 400 movies screened each year and it's a great achievement for 'Red Dog' to be selected to screen there," Mr Day said.

"The film connects with people of all ages and nationalities - just like the real Red Dog who lived in the Pilbara during the 1970s - and I am sure international audiences will be fascinated by this WA story."

Mr Grylls said that 'Red Dog's' invitation to one of the world's most prestigious film festivals was a great honour and would help bring the Pilbara region to an international audience.

"I am pleased the Liberal-National Government saw fit to support this project through Royalties for Regions," Mr Grylls said. 

"WA, and in particular the Pilbara, should benefit from the international exposure."

Mr Grylls said that through this partnership, the State Government would have access to promotional footage, key art images and photograph stills which could be used in promoting the region as a spectacular place to live, visit and invest.