The Sydney-based executive producer and his 75-member cast and crew team will be filming around the city and region bringing coastal attractions and the story of how a chook farmer’s dogs saved the penguin population.

Keddie and a dozen of the team, including his co-producer daughter Ella and director Clayton Jacobson, were in Warrnambool this week to check location settings and liaise with local officials before the cameras roll for three weeks in May. 

They also met eccentric local chook farmer Allan “Swampy” Marsh, to be played by Shane Jacobson.

“I’m very confident this movie will have strong international and family appeal,” Keddie said.

“It’s based on a true story — about priorities. It’s different to  anything I’ve ever done before. A unique story. Our storyline is about tourism and will put Warrnambool on the map.

“We will be filming near Middle Island, at Flagstaff Hill, in the city, the Twelve Apostles and other parts of the coastline.

“Flagstaff Hill is a beautiful location and we will be filming chase scenes and other sequences there.”

He said the production company was training its own Maremmas and penguins rather than disturbing those on Middle Island. 

“We will also create our own chook farm near Melbourne.”