Film
Comedy

Dog In Translation

Written By
Tray Epps
Logline
A stubborn British expat in Spain resists learning the language, until an unexpected teacher — his girlfriend’s dog — challenges him to see the world differently.
Format
Film
Genre
Comedy
Comps:
Lost in Translation’s cultural comedy
Meets
Amélie’s whimsical perspective
With an element of
Modern Love’s romantic warmth

the Story

Gary has just moved from the UK to Spain with his girlfriend, Suzi. He’s stubborn, resistant, and refuses to learn the language. To him, English should be enough. To her, it’s a dealbreaker. One morning, while walking Suzi’s dog Jacinto, Gary’s rigid worldview collides with a simple truth: language isn’t just about words, it’s about connection. And sometimes, the lesson comes from the most unlikely teacher. Dog In Translation is an 8-minute short film — part comedy, part romance, part fable — about pride, love, and the ways we communicate without speaking the same tongue.

The World

Set in sunny Spanish streets and cozy cafés, the world contrasts bright, welcoming environments with the isolating bubble of someone unwilling to adapt. Everyday spaces become comical battlegrounds of pride, love, and miscommunication.

The "Story Behind the Story"

As an expat, I know the humbling (and sometimes humiliating) challenge of adapting to a new culture. This film came from that tension — the comedy in miscommunication, but also the heartbreak of refusing to bridge the gap. Working with Ross McClure, we wanted to tell a story that was playful yet poignant. Dog In Translation is about stubbornness, cultural clash, and the transformative power of empathy — whether it’s between partners, strangers, or even a man and his girlfriend’s dog.

Key Themes

It’s about connection and stubbornness — how love falters when we refuse to grow, and how communication is about more than words. At its heart, it’s a fable about pride, vulnerability, and the simple, surprising ways we learn.

Check it out

[ Tray Epps ]

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