WELL GROOMED is a short documentary revealing the art and industry around the colorful world of creative dog grooming. It follows two female American dog groomers as they transform poodles into fantastical creations during intense competitions, together forming an industry around their new craft.

A niche within the American grooming circuit, creative dog groomers direct their talent to transforming poodles into vibrate creations. Unknown to the outside world, these competitions draw thousands and spawn copycat grooming organizations around the world.

Each design takes 30 hours of dye work to expertly blend hues into dog fur. Groomers then endure 3 hours in front of judges, styling their pets into exotic and abstract creations, which can range from Scooby Doo to “Halloween”.

The prize for competing? Fame. Seen as both awe-inspiring and troubling from groomers at large, these women have become objects of envy and derision as they push this art further than ever before.

Outside competitions, neighbors view their work with skepticism. Creative groomers must fight to prove that their art is safe for the dog – and that it enjoys the hours on the grooming table as they pull, push and coif its hair.

One groomer in particular is a standout in the industry, and has enjoyed more wins in competition than anyone else. Angela Kumpe from Little Rock, AR, is a force in the grooming industry, and has recently begun educating the outside world on the “good” in creative grooming while continuing to win the top prizes. However, one of her best friends and protégés, Adriane Pope, has high hopes of taking this year’s prize away from her. Adriane seems poised to become a powerhouse in the creative styling ring.

WELL GROOMED reveals the world’s top creative grooming competitors as they vie for the year’s best design – and follows two friends who work together to push this growing art form to new heights.