The 66th Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) has announced that the animated ROCK DOG will have its Australian premiere as part of a Kids’ Gala on 19 August 2017. It’s not just for kids though: the whole family is invited to walk the red carpet and join the party
For a while there, we weren’t entirely sure that ROCK DOG was a real film. The promotion materials appeared to have been concocted by the unlikely child of lonely pawn shop guitar and recently emptied bong water.
In fact, it actually follows a young Tibetan Mastiff who leaves his home village in the mountains to become a rock musician in the big city after a radio falls from the sky, it features the voice talents of Luke Wilson, Eddie Izzard, J. K. Simmons, Lewis Black, Kenan Thompson, and Mae Whitman. It’s directed by Ash Brannon (Toy Story 2), and based on a graphic novel by Chinese rock star Zheng Jun.
The full MIFF 2017 program will be announced on 11 July 2017. So far, MIFF has already revealed 29 of its First Glance titles, a freaky looking sci-fi retrospective, and the massive coup of opening night film Jungle, from director Greg McLean and star Daniel Radcliffe.
Tickets for the MIFF Kids Gala are now on sale via miff.com.au/kidsgala2017
