Teacher’s Pet, an animated film, will feature in the Little Big Shots: International Film Festival For Kids in Melbourne.

The film was selected from hundreds of entries internationally. It is one of 12 in its category for children aged five to 15.

Wimmera Uniting Care Delkaia Aboriginal Best Start facilitator Tracey Rigney wrote the film’s story.

‘‘The initial objective was to work with Koorie children at Dimboola Primary School to enhance their literacy and numeracy skills,’’ she said.

‘‘But the project became much more than that.’’

Thirteen Koorie children from prep to grade six were involved in the film’s production.

Miss Rigney said Dimboola Primary School teacher Desiree Cross worked alongside Wimmera Uniting Care as an animator.

‘‘Desiree ran a series of workshops explaining different styles and ways to tell a story and encouraging kids to tell their own,’’ she said.

‘‘This is where the idea for a short film was born.’’

Miss Rigney said the project took two years to complete and the pupils were heavily involved with the art and photography in the film.

They were the voices behind the characters.

‘‘The story itself is open to interpretation but we focused on incorporating specific school values as well as nature, animals and local landscapes all revolving around the central point of Dimboola Primary School,’’ Miss Rigney said.

‘‘We are so proud of everyone involved for such a great achievement.’’

Miss Rigney said WUC hosted screenings for children and their families.

‘‘Their families were blown away. The film had a great effect on them,’’ she said.

Miss Rigney said the film was available at Dimboola Primary School for $10.

‘‘Any profits made will go towards assisting families to attend the film festival, or to help fund similar projects in the future,’’ she said.

The Little Big Shots International Film Festival starts on Saturday and will run until June 8 at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image at Federation Square in Melbourne.