Just A Farmer was never intended to be just a film. It began as a story about a farming family navigating the devastating impact of suicide, but it has since evolved into one of Australia's most significant grassroots community impact campaigns.
In this keynote, award-winning filmmaker, farmer, and mental health advocate Leila McDougall shares the extraordinary journey of creating Just A Farmer with no previous filmmaking experience and transforming it into a national movement that is changing lives across rural and regional Australia.
The presentation explores how authentic storytelling can create connection, reduce stigma, and open conversations that many people find difficult to have. Through community screenings, the film has helped bring people together in towns across the country, creating safe spaces for discussions around mental health, resilience, grief, and community wellbeing. The impact has extended far beyond the screen, with thousands of Australians sharing their own experiences and many reporting increased willingness to seek help or support others.
Leila will share the challenges of producing and distributing an independent feature film, the lessons learned from engaging directly with communities, and the surprising power of grassroots action to drive meaningful social change. The presentation also highlights the realities facing rural Australia, where suicide rates remain significantly higher than those in metropolitan areas and where connection and community support can play a critical role in wellbeing.
This is an inspiring and practical presentation about leadership, resilience, community engagement, and the power of storytelling to bring people together. It demonstrates how one idea, driven by purpose and persistence, can grow into a movement that sparks conversations, strengthens communities, and reminds people that they are not alone.