Leila McDougall

Leila McDougall, Australian filmmaker, producer, and mental health advocate, known for her work on the award-winning film Just A Farmer (2024).

Leila McDougall is an Australian filmmaker, writer, and advocate known for her work on the feature film Just A Farmer (2024). The film addresses mental health challenges in rural communities and has been recognized for sparking critical conversations about the well-being of farming families.[1][2]

Early Life and Education

Leila McDougall was raised in Walcha, New South Wales, a rural farming community that influenced her later work in filmmaking and advocacy. She attended the New England Girls School in Armidale and later pursued a Bachelor of Education at Charles Sturt University and a Bachelor of Fashion Design at the Raffles Institute of Commerce and Design.[3]

Career

Beginnings in Film

McDougall transitioned to filmmaking from a background in education and fashion design. Her rural upbringing and professional experiences shaped her storytelling, particularly in addressing social issues like mental health.[4]

Breakthrough with Just A Farmer

Leila McDougall’s breakthrough came in 2024 with the release of Just A Farmer, a feature film she wrote, produced, and served as the executive producer. The film provides a heartfelt and unfiltered depiction of the challenges faced by farming families, particularly focusing on the impact of mental health struggles and the ripple effects of loss. Drawing from real-life experiences and extensive research, McDougall crafted a narrative that has not only resonated with farming communities but has also sparked vital conversations about mental health on a global scale.[5]

Festival Success and Critical Acclaim

Just A Farmer has been celebrated at numerous prestigious film festivals around the world, earning critical acclaim and several awards:

  • Septimius Awards (Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2024) – Winner: Best Oceania Actress[6]
  • Saint-Tropez Antipodes Film Festival (Saint-Tropez, France, 2024) – Winner: Audience Choice Award[7]
  • The Iris Global Health Film Festival (Boulder, Colorado, USA, 2024) – Winner: Best Narrative Feature[8]
  • Buffalo International Film Festival (Buffalo, New York, USA, 2024) – Winner: Best Narrative Feature[9]
  • International Film Festival of Australia (Melbourne, Australia, 2024) – Winner: Best Film, Best Cinematography (Gavin John Head), Best Supporting Actress (Susan Prior)[10]
  • Additional screenings at the St. Louis International Film Festival[11] and This Is My Brave Australia International Film Festival have further solidified the film's impact.

Philanthropy and Community Involvement

In 2014, Leila McDougall co-founded the nonprofit organization Live Rural, which focuses on the health and well-being of farming communities. One of its key initiatives, "Mellow in the Yellow", is an annual event aimed at raising mental health awareness. The event has raised over $60,000 to support rural mental health programs.[12]

McDougall's work in advocacy extends to her involvement in the Young Farmers Advisory Council and her recognition as the Emerging Leader in Agriculture in 2014.[1]

Filmography

  • Just A Farmer (2024) – Writer, Producer, Executive Producer[13]

Awards and Recognition

  • Best Narrative Feature at The Iris Global Health Film Festival[8]
  • Best Narrative Feature at the Buffalo International Film Festival[9]
  • Audience Choice Award at the Saint-Tropez Antipodes Film Festival[7]
  • Best Film and Best Cinematography at the International Film Festival of Australia[10]
  • Best Oceania Actress at the Septimius Awards[6]

References

  1. ^ a b "One in Seven Trillion | Leila McDougall". www.abc.net.au. 2024-04-29. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
  2. ^ "New film 'Just a Farmer' shines an authentic light on Australia's farming community". www.abc.net.au. 2024-03-14. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
  3. ^ "Leila McDougall". Saxton Speakers. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
  4. ^ Slatter, Sean (2023-08-09). "Leila McDougall puts the spotlight on rural mental health with 'Just A Farmer'". IF Magazine. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
  5. ^ "'Our farming debt has carried over for generations': Leila McDougall on farming, finances and making her first film". ABC News. 2024-06-19. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  6. ^ a b "WINNERS 2024 – Septimius Awards". Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  7. ^ a b "Antipodean Film Festival - Rencontres Internationales du Cinéma des Antipodes". www.festivaldesantipodes.com. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  8. ^ a b "Gallery 3". Iris Global Health Film Festival. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  9. ^ a b "Just a Farmer". Buffalo International Film Festival. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  10. ^ a b "Just a Farmer Takes Home Three Major Awards at the 2024 IFFA Awards". FilmInk. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  11. ^ "JUST A FARMER". SLIFF 2024. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  12. ^ "Leila McDougall". Saxton Speakers. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
  13. ^ "Our Team - Just A Farmer". 2024-04-21. Retrieved 2024-11-15.