General News
21 August, 2024
Local film maker receives international acclaim, shining light on farmers
Leila McDougall has been awarded Best Oceanian Actress
Local filmmaker Leila McDougall has been awarded Best Oceanian Actress in a Feature Films, Documentaries, Shorts, Animations, Television Series and Screenplays at the prestigious Septimius Awards 2024 in Amsterdam.
The award acknowledged her outstanding leading role in the movie 'Just a Farmer," which she wrote and co-produced.
The movie, Just a Farmer, was also a finalist in the international awards.
Tatyoon, farmer, mother, wife, clothing designer, screenplay script writer, movie co-producer, and lead actress, created the movie to shine a light on the agriculture community, particularly farmers' mental health and well-being.
'Just a Farmer' is the product of husband and wife team, Sean and Leila McDougall.
Their passion for saving lives and shining a light on the mental health of the farming community led them to invest the first half million dollars needed to begin production on their family farm in Tatyoon, near Ararat in Victoria.
"The reason for making the movie was to highlight our agricultural community and its value to mankind," she said recently.
It opened in Melbourne and Ararat in March 2024, and was simultaneously screened in 100 cinemas nationwide.
Hon Dan Tehan MP Member for Wannon has been a strong advocate for the McDougall's project since seeing the movie and said, "Congratulations to Leila on receiving this prestigious award.
"Her contribution to every single aspect of this project - not least her acting skills -was absolutely outstanding.
"The best part of it is she fully invested herself in Just a Farmer to raise awareness of the extremely grave hardships often faced by Australian farmers."
Just a Farmer is a powerful narrative that breaks new ground, fostering understanding and assuring individuals they don't face darkness alone.
One farmer in Australia commits suicide every ten days; tragic as that is, the movie is about more than the suicide; it is about the family left behind, the stigma surrounding suicide, the silence, and the friends who cross the road to avoid you rather than cross your path if you have been affected by the death of someone by suicide.
It's about resilience, family, community, and the vital job of farmers.
On the eve of the awards, she said, "I'm so lucky to be in Amsterdam as a guest of The Septimius Awards.
"Both the movie Just a Farmer and I have been nominated for awards. I can't share the wonder, excitement, and disbelief of this all happening to a farm girl from Tatyoon, Victoria. Dream Big!"
Sean McDougall remained in Australia to host the Canberra premiere of Just a Farmer, attended by many of the nation's leaders.
For the school student who struggled with undiagnosed dyslexia, she is now the epitome of achievement and an inspiration to others.
Her father said in a recent documentary that her life turned around once she was diagnosed, and from there on, "there was no stopping her," he said.
In her own words, "After struggling with dyslexia for many years, I now see it as a superpower that helps me focus on unique creative strengths."