WIFT NZ Events

We’re thrilled to be bringing you this very special event at Camperdown Cinema: a free screening of The Drover’s Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers — director, screenwriter, producer and lead actor Leah Purcell, and producer Bain Stewart.
Leah Purcell is the inaugural Māoriland Filmmaker in Residence; Māoriland Festival Managing Director Libby Hakaraia will moderate the Q&A.

The multitalented Leah has been nominated for this year's top four AACTA Awards (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards): Producer for Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Lead Actress in Film, making her the first individual, female and First Nations practitioner to be nominated for all four at once. The film itself is up for 13 AACTA Awards.

Leah's screenplay for The Drover’s Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson was also nominated by AWG (Australian Writer’s Guild) for a 2022 AWGIE Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Watch the trailer

Leah Purcell is a First Nations stage and film actress, playwright, film director, and novelist. She made her film debut in 1999, appearing in Paul Fenech's Somewhere in the Darkness, which led to roles in films such as Lantana (2001), Somersault (2004), The Proposition (2005) and Jindabyne (2006).

In 2014 she wrote and starred in the play, The Drover's Wife, based on the original story by Henry Lawson. In 2019 she wrote the bestselling novel The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson, and then adapted it for the screen when she made her directorial debut. For her work, she has won several awards, including a Helpmann Award, AACTA Award, and Asia Pacific Screen Awards Jury Grand Prize.

Purcell is notable for her roles in several television drama series, her most recognisable television role being her AACTA and Logie Award-nominated performance as Rita Connors in the Foxtel prison drama series, Wentworth (2018–2021).

RSVP to office@wiftnz.org.nz to secure your seat.

WIFT, Ngā Aho Whakaari members and Wētā crew free; non-members $15.