From director Kyle Balda, The Sheep Detectives follows a flock of sheep as they investigate the murder of their beloved shepherd, George (Hugh Jackman). Voiced by Hollywood’s A-list talent, the CGI sheep roam the English countryside, collecting clues and dodging danger in a playful, family-friendly mystery.

While the film was delivered as a global collaboration by Academy Award-winning VFX studio Framestore, its Melbourne studio played a central role in bringing the flock to life. Led by Melbourne-based VFX Supervisor Josh Simmonds, the local team worked closely with counterparts across London, Montreal and Mumbai to develop the film’s highly detailed digital animals. The project marks a return to family-oriented storytelling for Simmonds, whose recent credits include Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Together and Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis – the latter earning him his sixth AACTA nomination and third win.

Overall VFX Supervisor Graham Page oversaw nearly 1,000 visual effects shots, beginning with extensive on-the-ground research in the UK to “cast” real sheep for reference. That footage was shared globally, with the Melbourne team using it to inform performance, movement and character detail – ensuring each member of the flock felt distinct and believable. From subtle physical traits to nuanced behavioural quirks, the work highlights the studio’s ability to blend technical precision with character-driven animation.

Framestore’s Pre-production Services team supported the process through previs and techvis, mapping out camera movement and timing in collaboration with cinematographer George Steel and director Kyle Balda. This allowed the live-action plates to be captured with precision, enabling seamless integration of the CGI sheep in post. The result is a photoreal, expressive flock that anchors the film’s tone and storytelling.

The Sheep Detectives is in cinemas globally in May.