“I don’t want to say it myself because I’m an actor in it ... but all the journalists and the people say ... it’s the next big family film,” he said.

“The response has been amazing. The audiences are just loving it.

“We’ve had test screenings and cast and crew screenings and the response has been overwhelming.

“You never know how it’s going to be received, but the truth is it’s a good family film with a good message and good heart.

"It’s being embraced by everyone – grandparents and parents and children.

“They’ve all walked into the cinema and shared a decent family story together and felt something because it’s an emotional story too. 

“(My kids) loved it. My neighbour Jeff is a concreter and we saw it with my kids and Jeff’s kids and my other neighbour’s kids and Jeff said afterwards, ‘Mate, that was bloody great – I don’t go to the movies much, but there was plenty to laugh at, a couple of times I nearly cried, and our kids were silent for an hour and a half and that takes some effort!’.”

“My nine-year-old son was very quick to let me know that it’s just behind Toy Story as his favourite film.”

Jacobson said the key to the warm response so far seemed to be the unique storyline.

“People love the story,” he said.

“You guys know about the story but many people don’t (and they) are blown away by it.”

That story – about how local chook farmer Swampy Marsh and his Maremmas saved an endangered penguin colony in Warrnambool – is set to be a tale that all of Australia knows. 

“I can’t say it will put Warrnambool on the map because it’s already on the map,” Jacobson said.

“But you guys couldn’t have a bigger ad campaign for Warrnambool if you tried.

“Your rates would have to go up tenfold to do (pay for) this kind of marketing campaign. It’s on Sunday Night, it’s on National Geographic (and) I’ll do well over 100 interviews during the promo tour and Warrnambool is mentioned in every one of them. You couldn’t get better promotion for Warrnambool.” 

Jacobson will be in Warrnambool for the film’s local premiere on Sunday. 

He’s become a regular visitor to the city in recent years, working on Charlie & Boots here and making plenty of Oddball-related trips.

“I’m hoping to get the keys to the city,” he joked.

The movie also stars Alan Tudyk, Sarah Snook, Coco Jack Gillies, Deborah Mailman and Frank Woodley.

Oddball opens nationally on September 17.