Boss Cat
Twenty-something Sonja (Olivia Hargroder, superb in her feature film debut) is an ambitious, sassy, raging bundle of creative energy whose dreams of artistic self-expression are only matched by her desire for independence. Born with Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome), she refuses to allow biology to be her destiny and defies all obstacles—and people—that block her way. But when her mom dies, Grandma Doris has other plans for Sonja—in a board-and-care facility. Sonja's anger and grief find an empowering outlet when her friend Hakim, a Sudanese refugee, introduces her to krump street dancing. First-time director Genevieve Clay-Smith collaborated with a fully inclusive cast and crew on this funny, fiery, and family-friendly film that provides a uniquely compelling and beautiful testament to the power of resilience, independence, and love. Produced by Bus Stop Films, a company dedicated to end-to-end inclusivity in film production. —K.D. Davis
Appropriate for grades 7-12 (ages 12-17)
Director/s
Genevieve Clay-Smith
Genevieve Clay-Smith stands as a trailblazing filmmaker, renowned for her visionary directorial work that champions inclusivity and diversity within the film industry. With a career marked by innovation and advocacy, Genevieve has solidified her position as one of Australia’s foremost directors, shaping narratives that resonate deeply with audiences worldwide. Her inclusively made debut feature film, Boss Cat (2026), premiered at the Sydney Film Festival. She is the Series Director of SBS documentary series, Perspective Shift, for which she was nominated for a 2020 ADG award and AWGIE award. Her 2020 short film, Groundhog Night, premiered at Sydney Film Festival and she is the creator and series director of ABC Kids interstitial series Tell Me a Tale.
Expected Guests
MICHELE TURNURE-SALLEO: Producer
Tickets
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