Production house Dogwoof has dropped the trailer for the “feelgood documentary of the year” – the gripping tale of a quirky Scottish competition to find world’s finest porridge.
For the last three decades, once a year, contenders from around the globe descend on the picturesque village of Carrbridge in the Scottish Highlands to compete for the coveted title of World Porridge Champion.
Amid intense rivalries, steaming bowls of porridge, and the lives of charmingly eccentric locals we see a living legacy unfold.
Leading the way is self-titled Chieftain of the Golden Spurtle Charlie Miller, an acerbic wit, charisma and no-nonsense approach to all things porridge. A maker of spurtles (wooden porridge stirring utensils), Charlie is an artist at heart. Since taking ill he is looking for a successor to take over as Chieftain. But with no one in sight, Charlie is left to shoulder the burden of the championship’s uncertain future.
With striking cinematography illuminating both the film’s memorable characters and the beautiful scenery of the Scottish Highlands, inspired by the work of photographers such as August Sander and Martin Parr, this is a visually ambitious delight for film and food fans alike.
The film introduces us to a wonderful array of competitors from around the world – from Suffolk-based Queen of Porridge Lisa to seven-time finalist, London based, health food CEO Nick to young Australian chef Toby – things are about to get heated and stirred up.
The Golden Spurtle is a celebration of community and the future of vibrant, close-knit societies.
The film is directed by Constantine Cosi (A Delicate Fire) with cinematography by Dimitri Zaunders. The film is produced by Rebecca Lamond (Friends and Strangers) and co-produced by John Archer (My Old School, My Name is Alfred Hitchcock).
The film will have its UK premiere at this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival on 17 August. The Golden Spurtle is released in UK cinemas on 12 September 2025.
Other recent Dogwoof titles include Oscar and BAFTA-nominated documentary feature films such as Black Box Diaries(sold to MTV Documentary Films) plus the Oscar-nominated Sugarcane. Dogwoof started 2025 with the Sundance US Documentary Competition title Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore, World Cinema Documentary Competition-selected 2000 Meters to Andriivka, directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Mstyslav Chernov (20 Days in Mariupol) and One to One: John & Yoko from Oscar-winning filmmaker, Kevin Macdonald.
