Set in a quiet village in the Scottish Highlands, this heartwarming documentary dives into a world where porridge is anything but ordinary. For thirty years, Carrbridge has hosted the World Porridge Championships; an event that transforms a simple bowl of oats into a serious matter of pride, ritual and gentle obsession.
Genre: Documentary
Language: English, subtitles: English
Length: 1 hr 15 mins
For thirty years, the otherwise quiet and leafy Scottish town of Carrbridge has been transformed into the unlikely arena for the World Porridge Championships. This year will be the last under the auspices of founder Charlie Miller. Oatmeal cooks from all over the world travel to the Highlands to compete for the ultimate honour: the Golden Spurtle.
In the run-up to the championships, this infectious documentary follows various protagonists through the preparations, the anticipation, and the finally, the big day itself. With a healthy dose of Scottish self-mockery, the Australian director and cameraman create a playful, nostalgic atmosphere, revealing a hidden world in the heart of Scotland that feels almost like a Wes Anderson film, complete with a perfectly fitting musical score.
Along the way, you’ll learn that making good porridge is apparently harder than nuclear physics, that you should always stir clockwise (or else…), and that passion can turn the simplest ingredients into something extraordinary. The result is a warm, humorous portrait of an eccentric community, populated by devoted locals and competitors ranging from health fanatics and home cooks to top chefs.
Even if porridge isn’t your thing, this small cinematic gem is almost guaranteed to send you home with a big smile, and a surprisingly cosy, happy feeling.
Awards
The Golden Spurtle was selected for the Zurich Film Festival’s Documentary Competition (2025).
Reviews
“A cosy celebration of porridge and its champions.” The Guardian
“The styles of both Wes Anderson and Christopher Guest are evoked.” The Skinny
“Filmmaker Constantine Costi manages to go from top to tail in a whip-cracking 75 minutes.” Little White Lies
SG & USE/ITEC registration
Please register for SG & USE/ITEC by scanning your student ID card at the venue.
More information about SG & USE/ITEC can be found here.
Ticket information
This film will be shown at Filmhuis De Zwarte Doos.
- Tickets must be purchased online in advance and can be bought by clicking the black “Order” button on this page.
- Cash or card payments are not accepted at the ticket counter.
For more information about tickets, refund policies, and other details, click here.
Please be on time
The screening of the film begin promptly at 19:30 (with no pre-film advertisements), and the cinema hall will open at 19:10. We kindly request that you arrive at the ticket counter at least 10 minutes before the start of the film to ensure a smooth and timely experience for all.
The Studium Generale film program is created in collaboration with the Student Film Committee and Natlab.