Film-maker Leila McDougall will be in Moree in April to present her multi-award-winning feature film, Just a Farmer, at Moree Town and Country Club.
The screening is a free event, with bookings not required.
Leila is an Australian film-maker, producer and mental health advocate.
She was raised in Walcha, a rural farming community near Armidale in the New England region of New South Wales, and the district influenced her later work in filmmaking and advocacy.
She attendee 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.
In 2014, Leila co-founded the non-profit organisation Live Rural, which focuses on the health and the wellbeing 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 more than $60,000 to support rural mental health programs.
Leila’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.
Leila is a dynamic entrepreneur, film maker, and advocate whose roots in rural Australia have profoundly shaped her purpose and passion. Her journey – from fashion designer to rural teacher to film maker – reflects her unyielding commitment to celebrating and uplifting farming.
Leila’s film, Just a Farmer, is a testament to this commitment.
The film, produced on her family farm in Tatyoon, Victoria, with a budget of $1.7 million explores the unspoken realities of rural life, and focuses on mental health and the critical contribution of farming families.
Just A Farmer was awarded Best International Feature Film as well as Best Supporting Actress for Susan Prior and Best Cinematography for Gavin Head at the 2024 International Film Festival of Australia.
It was also named Best Narrative Feature at the Iris Global Health Film Festival, Best Narrative Feature at the Buffalo International Film Festival and Audience Choice Award at the Saint-Tropez Antipodes Film Festival.
The Moree screening is proudly supported by McGregor Gourlay, AFF, NSW Farmers and CWA Moree.
More than just a feature film, Just a Farmer has become a catalyst for conversation and encourages communities to connect.
The film has garnered both national and international attention for its heartfelt storytelling.
Leila conceived, wrote and co-starred in Just a Farmer amid the challenges of Covid-19, taking on the role of executive producer to ensure the film’s vision was realised.
Since its release in March, 2024 the film has garnered both national and international attention for its heartfelt storytelling and its ability to resonate with audiences from all walks of life.
Its impact goes beyond the screen, empowering communities to come together and discuss the issues that matter most – mental health, resilience, and the value of connection.
Leila’s career is as multi-faceted as her passions. Her influence extends far beyond titles and accolades.
She is a farmer, mentor, role model, working mum, and a story teller who uses her platform to shine a light on the often invisible challenges of rural life.
Her work inspires communities to see the power of possibility in their own stories, fostering resilience and hope in even the most challenging times.
With every project, Leila remains unwavering in her mission: to spark meaningful conversations, bring hidden challenges into the spotlight, and unite communities through shared understanding and hope.
Driven by a vision for a stronger and more connected nation, she continues to use her voice and her work to inspire action and amplify the resilience of rural Australia.
Her journey is far from over – Leila’s determination to spread this message of possibility and perseverance is as boundless as the landscapes that inspire her.
Just a Farmer, carries a message that echoes far and wide: “When we share our stories, listen to one another, and stand together in support. We can build a future filled with strength, connection, and possibility for all.”
Just a Farmer screening
When: Friday, April 4
Where: Moree Town and Country Club
Time: 6pm for a 6.30pm start
Cost: FREE (bookings not required)
Afterwards: Q&A with film-maker and star Leila McDougall
Official trailer: Just a Farmer
