Digital-first studio JustSo has won a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) award in the Short Form category for Hustle & Run, its documentary created for Channel 4’s coverage of Crufts.
The film follows Jeanette, known within the sport as ‘The Whippet Whisperer’, and her dog Hustle as they challenge the dominance of border collies in the competitive flyball circuit. Set against the backdrop of Crufts, the documentary charts the rise of the female-led Aces team from Kent as they attempt to reshape perceptions around whippets in the sport.
Produced by JustSo for Channel 4, Hustle & Run explores the world of flyball – often described as the “Formula 1 for dogs” – and focuses on themes of overlooked talent, community and sporting ambition. The film has also screened internationally at festivals across the US, Europe and Australasia and is available to stream on Channel 4’s platform.
The BAFTA win marks a landmark moment for a key player in the digital-first production sector, with Hustle & Run recognised alongside more traditional broadcast and production companies in this year’s awards.
JustSo’s Nikhil Acharya recently spoke at TellyCast’s How To Make Money In Digital event in London. His thoughts can be viewed here – and also read in issue two of The Drop Magazine.
