Whale Shark Jack breaches into Europe and the US across multiple platforms

Western Australian filmed feature film, Whale Shark Jack, co-directed by Khrob and Miranda Edmonds has been sold to multiple broadcasters across Europe and will be making its North American debut at the Newport Beach Film Festival in California in October.

Stage23 was proud to be the lead VFX studio on the film delivering a complex blend of CG aquatic creatures, storm-driven ocean environments and seamless visual effects. At the centre of Stage23's work were two fully realised CG characters: the eight metre adult whale shark Big Jack, and Juvenile Jack.

The live-action family feature will be screened in France via Canal+, in Ireland on RTE, across Slovenia on RTV and in the Netherlands on Public Broadcasting.

In North America, after its international premiere on October 17th and 21st at the Newport Beach Film Festival, the film will be screened on platform BYUtv.

The film has also been adapted into a book of the same name by Penguin Random House.

Whale Shark Jack produced by Cottesloe Films was originally commissioned in Australia by streaming platform Stan, released in April 2026 and is distributed internationally by the Australian Children's Television Foundation.

“On set, they say never work with kids or animals. In VFX, it's never work with water. Stage23 apparently didn't get that memo, as they smashed ocean sims, rain, cloud sims and one *big* fish. From our favourite transition where the whale shark spots become stars, to the wilds of the storm and the epic sweeping movements of Big Jack, Stage23 brought this film to life with skill, artistry and technical excellence. They were an integral part of the team, and we can't wait to work together again soon,” Cottesloe Films Directors Miranda and Khrob Edmonds.

Stage23 work on Whale Shark Jack: https://www.stage23.com/work/whale-shark-jack