client: Justin Allen Expedition date published: Mar 03, 2019 content type: Documentaries
documentary
12 Dogs Drive: The Run Home
CBC Documentary, 44 minutes
We produced a gripping, cinema-quality CBC documentary that chronicled an unprecedented 3,500-kilometre dogsled expedition across Canada’s frozen wilderness, generating widespread public awareness for the heritage and ancient art of mushing.
Directed by Chet Wesley
Written by Chet Wesley
Produced by Stephen Foster, Greg Hemmings, and Jessica Jennings
A premium 44-minute broadcast documentary film, festival cut packaging, and cross-platform digital promotion assets.
The Challenge
When Saint John native Justin Allen set out to complete an unprecedented, 3,500-kilometre dogsled run from Churchill, Manitoba, back to his home province of New Brunswick, he was facing an adventure that many dismissed as impossible. Beyond achieving a massive personal and physical milestone, Justin’s mission was to celebrate an ancient art form and expose more Canadians to the history of Indigenous mushing. Navigating sub-zero wilderness, open tundra, and frozen bays requires extreme endurance, but translating a grueling, three-month expedition into a coherent, high-impact broadcast film requires an entirely separate set of skills. The production needed to withstand punishing Arctic conditions while capturing a deeply emotional bond between a musher and his 12-dog team.
Our Approach
We signed on to produce 12 Dogs Drive – The Run Home, working closely with director Chet Wesley to turn this epic journey into a premium television documentary.
Surviving Extreme Field Production: Our teams engineered a robust production strategy that could endure the elements—capturing cinematic footage across deep snow, the frozen expanses of the Hudson Bay, and Quebec's dense boreal forests. We leveraged dynamic sled-mounted cameras and expansive drone cinematography to give audiences a visceral, front-row seat on the sled.
Highlighting Heritage & Community: We structured the documentary’s narrative to look beyond the physical hardships. The film intentionally spotlights the origins of dogsledding, documenting the team’s interactions with and reliance on local Indigenous communities who offered vital guidance and hospitality along the route.
Securing National Broadcast Pipelines: Back in post-production, we polished the raw expedition footage into a high-caliber, 44-minute feature. We partnered with CBC to secure its television premiere on Absolutely Maritimes, introducing Justin and his dogs to a massive public audience.
I wanted to do this because I love a challenge, so running across the country with my dogs was for our bond, for our relationship," Allen said.
The Impact
Our collaboration elevated an incredible, historic physical feat into a widely celebrated piece of Canadian media. Premiering nationally on CBC and screening across regional film festivals, the documentary successfully triggered widespread public awareness and awe regarding the ancient art of dog sledding. By shifting focus away from traditional sports spectacles to emphasize cross-cultural connection and the profound trust between humans and animals, the film captured the hearts of viewers nationwide. Today, it remains an inspiring educational tool and a permanent visual archive of a 3,500-kilometre goal that no one else had ever attempted—proving that with passion, resilience, and a loyal team, the long run home is always possible.
