Filming begins for the cinema adventure My Friend Barry

Filming begins for the cinema adventure MY FRIEND BARRY. 
Atlantis Pictures and MMC Zodiac are bringing the moving story of the legendary rescue dog Barry to the big screen, directed by Markus Welter!

Everyone knows him: the loyal St. Bernard with the barrel around his neck. Barry is returning now to the big screen in a thrilling family film! Following the successes of ‘Heidi’ and ‘Schellen-Ursli’, MY FRIEND BARRY is another emotional adventure full of excitement, friendship and courage.

Filming for this elaborate production began spectacularly last week – in the midst of the majestic Swiss Alps at an altitude of over 2,000 metres. After the impressive outdoor filming in Valais, production will move to Ticino. Filming will then take place in the state-of-the-art MMC studios in Cologne.

MY FRIEND BARRY is produced by Marcel Wolfisberg and his Lucerne-based production company Atlantis Pictures (Cargo, Eden for Everyone) in collaboration with MMC ZODIAC (Papa Moll, Gotthard) from Cologne. The project is also supported by the film commissions of Valais and Ticino. In Switzerland, ASCOT ELITE ENTERTAINMENT will release the film in cinemas, while WILDBUNCH Germany is responsible for German distribution.

‘Barry is a global symbol of courage and loyalty. His story has not been told on the big screen for generations. With MY FRIEND BARRY, we are bringing his extraordinary journey back to the cinema in impressive images and with historical authenticity for the whole family,’ says producer Wolfisberg.

The cinema experience is based on a true story, whose touching plot is set in the breathtaking mountain landscape of the 18th century. A film that captures the magic of nature and celebrates the power of community.

The moving story of a unique friendship stars Max Hubacher (Jakobs Ross, Mario, Der Verdingbub) alongside German actor Ulrich Tukur (various Tatorte episodes, Der Überläufer, Der Koch) and Carlos Leal (Blackout, Sennentuntschi).

A large-scale casting process lasting several months was carried out to find the young leads and the entire children's ensemble. Five roles were ultimately filled from over 600 applicants.

The film is directed by Markus Welter
His projects include the thriller Im Sog der Nacht and the SRF/ZDF co-production Der Teufel von Mailand. He directed the first three seasons of Der Bestatter and received the PRIX WALO in 2014. He also won the Special Jury Prize at the Solothurn Film Festival in 2018 for his TV feature film Weglaufen geht nicht.

Historical background
Since the 11th century, the monks of the hospice on the Great St. Bernard Pass have been offering protection to travellers. From the 17th century onwards, they used St. Bernards as faithful companions and lifesavers in the snow-covered Alps. The most famous of them was Barry. He saved more than 40 people and became a legend.

The film – An adventure about friendship and courage
The end of the 18th century. Twelve-year-old Georg and his older brother Alfons, war orphans from Central Switzerland, are on the arduous journey over the Great St. Bernard Pass, seeking their fortune in Italy. When Georg falls ill, Alfons leaves him behind at the hospice. There, Georg struggles against the prejudices of the novices, especially their leader Célestin. A tender friendship with Resi, the dog handler's daughter, helps him overcome his shyness. Georg secretly nurses a weak puppy named Barry back to health. But when Célestin betrays him, Georg has to fight for his future before the prior and is given one last chance.

MY FRIEND BARRY is a production by Atlantis Pictures in co-production with MMC Zodiac, Swiss Radio and Television SRF, SRG SSR, Centauri Media, Senator Film and blue. Supported by the Zurich Film Foundation, the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, the German Film Fund, the Federal Office of Culture, the German Federal Film Board (FFA), the Canton of Lucerne, the Valais and Ticino Film Commission, Suissimage, and in collaboration with Lidl Switzerland and Suzuki Switzerland.

Director: Markus Welter | Screenplay: Jan Poldervaart
Starring: Barry, Max Hubacher, Christoph Gaugler, Ulrich Tukur, Carlos Leal, Paco von Wyss, Mael Gallati, Alma Büchenbacher, Yousef Sweid and many more.
Theatrical release: Winter 2026

In the photo: Director Markus Welter (left), producer Marcel Wolfisberg (right) with child actors Alma Büchenbacher, Paco von Wyss and dog Barry