Short Film Directed by Roe Moore World Premiered at the Pasadena International Film Festival
SANTA CLARITA, CA – After earning widespread recognition and major media acclaim over the past two years for its groundbreaking product emergence, Tombot’s Jennie robotic canine companion now makes its debut on the silver screen in Walkies, the new short film directed by Roe Moore of PiePie Productions.
The film premiered at the Pasadena International Film Festival, on Monday, April 13, 2026 as part of the festival’s official program. In Walkies, Jennie is not simply a prop, but an integral part of the story’s emotional core—demonstrating how thoughtfully designed robotic companions can help individuals take meaningful first steps toward reconnecting with the world.
Walkies follows Esther, a young woman navigating the challenges of depression and anxiety. Isolated in her home and struggling to engage with daily life, Esther finds even simple interactions overwhelming. After repeated attempts to connect with others fall short, she turns to an unconventional solution: a robotic dog. This companion, named Luno in the film, as portrayed through Tombot’s Jennie, becomes a gentle, non-judgmental presence in her life.
What begins as a small step—bringing a robotic companion into her home—gradually evolves into something more meaningful. Luno provides Esther with a sense of comfort and routine, encouraging her to venture outside for walks. These outings become pivotal moments in the story, as Esther begins to re-engage with her surroundings and, eventually, with other people. Through subtle, everyday interactions, Walkies illustrates that healing does not come from dramatic breakthroughs, but from small, manageable steps forward.
The film thoughtfully positions Jennie/Luno not as a replacement for human connection, but as a bridge toward it. By offering a safe and predictable form of companionship, Luno helps Esther rebuild confidence and rediscover a sense of agency. In doing so, Walkies reflects a growing understanding of how assistive technologies can complement traditional approaches to mental health and social engagement.
“With Walkies, I wanted to tell a story highlighting an often overlooked version of depression where someone appears functional but feels disconnected underneath,” Moore said. “It’s the kind that isn’t always visible, but makes everything feel heavier and harder to engage with.
“Jennie was a great discovery for us because she made the story feel real instead of conceptual. Her quiet, lifelike presence brought an authenticity we couldn’t replicate any other way. Being on set with her, it became really clear how naturally people connect with her.
Lead actress in the short film, Mariana Aroxa, had a similar take. “Jennie showed me, as an actor, the power of connection from a safe space I did not know was possible through technology,” she said. “Jennie immersed me in a heart-warming space as the character, and as a human. I would go home with a feeling of my heart being full, a sense that I was held, in a way that went beyond the story I was called to tell. She brought me home in more ways than I could have imagined.
“This type of offering is a blessing to anyone who needs the support, but cannot have the challenges that come with a living animal, myself very much included in this description.”
Aroxa’s description aligns perfectly with Jennie’s overall purpose as both a physical and psychological companion.
“Jennie, was originally developed to provide comfort and companionship to individuals facing cognitive and emotional health challenges, including dementia, anxiety, and loneliness,” said Tombot’s CEO Tom Stevens. Designed to look, feel, and respond like a real Labrador retriever puppy, Jennie offers many of the benefits of animal companionship.
The inclusion of Jennie in Walkies underscores Tombot’s mission: to create technology that improves quality of life through emotional connection. As depicted in the film, Jennie/Luno serves as a catalyst—helping users take those critical first steps toward greater independence and social interaction. While Jennie is not a substitute for human relationships, it can play a vital supportive role, particularly for those who may find traditional forms of engagement difficult.
“It’s truly heartwarming to see Jennie represented in Walkies in such an authentic and compassionate way,” Stevens said. “The film beautifully captures what we strive for every day: empowering people to reconnect with the world around them, one small step at a time.”
As Walkies continues its festival run, Tombot remains committed to advancing innovative solutions that address loneliness and emotional wellbeing—bringing comfort, connection, and possibility to those who need it most.
About Tombot:
Tombot is a Santa Clarita, CA-based robotic animal and digital health solutions company. Its first product, “Jennie”—a lifelike robotic Labrador puppy—was created to support the 300+ million seniors worldwide living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment, as well as individuals coping with anxiety, loneliness, autism, and PTSD. Exceptionally realistic and fully autonomous, Jennie mimics the movements and responses of an 8-10 week-old puppy, providing the companionship and health benefits of a live animal. With more than 18,000 pre-order and waitlist customers, Jennie has already gained global recognition for advancing robotic solutions that support emotional wellbeing.
For more information about Jennie, visit:
