Jetskiing Border Collies and rescue dog heroes feature in Top Dog Film Festival at Brunswick Picture House

FROM surfing labradors to paralysed street dogs finding a new lease on life with custom-built wheelchairs, there’s no shortage of heartwarming stories at this year’s Top Dog Film Festival, arriving at Brunswick Picture House.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026, the family-friendly festival brings together a collection of inspiring short films that celebrate the remarkable bond between dogs and their humans.

Among this year’s highlights is Adventure Tails, an original production from the Adventure Reels team in collaboration with filmmaker Whitney Oliver. Filmed across Australia, Switzerland and Canada, the documentary follows three adventurous dogs and their humans as they surf, paraglide and mountain bike through some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes.

The film features Scuba, a jet ski-loving Border Collie from Brisbane; Ouka, a fearless paragliding Samoyed; and Turbo, a rescue dog turned trail companion. Together, their stories form a joyful celebration of trust, freedom and life’s great adventures.

Also on the program is Anna & Alfonso, a touching documentary short about a young woman who leaves her hometown of Newcastle for a new life in New York City. As homesickness begins to creep in, she meets Alfonso, a spirited dachshund who quickly becomes her loyal companion and helps her find her place in a new world.

For those who enjoy a good surf story, Rippin Rose follows Rosie, a yellow labrador who unexpectedly became one of the world’s most famous surfing dogs after leaping onto a paddleboard during a family holiday. The film explores the special connection between Rosie and her owner, Steve, and the adventures that followed.

Another crowd favourite is Wheelchair Mafia, which shines a light on the work of Michael Banes, a dedicated dog rescuer who builds custom wheelchairs for paralysed street dogs abandoned and injured on the streets of Thailand, helping them rediscover mobility and freedom.

Talk to Frank offers a six-minute adventure through the eyes of Frank, a charismatic canine narrator. The documentary follows Frank and his owner, Maleek Kuba-Kuba, as they embark on a trail-running journey through the stunning French Alps.

All films in the 2026 program will feature on-screen subtitles, supporting audience members who are deaf or hard of hearing, neurodivergent viewers and those for whom English is a second language.

The Top Dog Film Festival is at Brunswick Picture House at 2pm on Saturday 22 August.

For more information and tickets, visit topdogfilmfestival.com.au