Sometimes there are wonderful situation that may have happened for decades, but new awareness has only come to the fore thanks to the beneficial side of being online. Out in the world, there are slow revolutions which celebrate small, every day events or sports, often stepping away from a tech-obsessed society and into calmer focuses, think of the wonderful Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing or even GBBO – in the wider sense – as displays of satisfying goodness that doesn’t rely on melodrama.

The Golden Spurtle, from Australian director Constantine Costi, takes us to the Scottish Highlands and the village of Carrbridge, where over the last 30 years competitors from across the world gather in the village hall to compete for the title of World Porridge Champion. This label is exactly as it sounds, yet everyone has their unique take on how to make the best porridge and while it could seem unexpected, this warm documentary is one of the most charming, quirky, and wholesome real-life stories you’ll watch this year.

To set the scene, and in the establishing shots of The Golden Spurtle, it’s almost impossible to unsee the Wes Anderson inspiration for these filmmakers but it’s perfect and rejoices in the idiosyncratic edge of everything to come. From sections that introduce the people involved in the competition, including behind-the-scenes crew from the village and the upcoming contestants, the Anderson vibe is elevated but it’s also smartly achieved so that you can only love what you’re being shown.

The key character is the committed and friendly Charlie Miller, the self-titled ‘Chieftain of the Golden Spurtle,’ who is essentially the heart of organising everything – and has been doing it for many years. He’s brilliant, and properly local with a dry sense of humour, yet he’s also well organised and knows what you need to get stuff sorted for the big occasion. Charlie is also the maker of hundreds of spurtles (the device you use to make and stir the porridge) and sells them to makes funds to host the competition. However, Charlie is very aware he’s getting older and has been less mobile of late, so this championship will also be his last – and this could be a chance for his successor to take over, if they can find someone.

Constantine Costi’s filmis full of individual characters and is all the more fun for it. There’s a wealth of people we meet and if you want eccentric, that’s certainly here, and I mean it in an unconditionally positive way. We meet 7-time finalist Lisa Williams and her partner, who are both porridge aficionados, the competitive Nick Barnard (Co-founder of Rude Health no less), there’s James Leach and Adam Kiani – a pair of lads and their friends from London who love everything about the competition and challenging for the first time, plus Aussie chef Toby Wilson, who is returning to compete once again in the hope that this time he might win it – and I believe might be a friend of the filmmaker.

And then we arrive at competition day, it’s unquestionably busier in the village and more absorbing than you initially suppose. It’s here that The Golden Spurtle reinforces what you’ve felt all along: this is a celebration of people from all walks of life, and the organisers hang up flags to represent each competitor taking part from places right across the world. There is so much laughter and support, as they revel not just in the steaming heat and creation of unique porridge but also the literal warmth of a distinctive community, with added whiskey tasting and livestreams broadcast directly to the marquee outside for further excited spectators to watch.

After this, we’re waiting with a tantalising, lingering spoon to discover who’ll win, judged professionally by experts and a small, experienced team and – of course – yet I won’t reveal the winner but it’s certainly splendid. Over a relatively short 75-minute runtime, The Golden Spurtle slowly draws you into its lovely world, aided by excellent cinematography from Dimitri Zaunders. And, just when you think the day is done, it throws in a poignant extra with a reflective and poetic Charlie who has done everyone proud, and himself in that manner.

Charming, wholesome, and generously positive, this is a documentary to embrace like a warm bowl of Scottish porridge and as I learned (and a tip), next time you’re making yourself a bowl, don’t forget to stir it clockwise, or you’ll let the devil in…

The Golden Spurtle is in UK cinemas from 12 September

Book your ticket here: https://releasing.dogwoof.com/the-golden-spurtle