Black Dog Ride brings Just a Farmer to The Dam with writer and actress Leila McDougall on post-show panel

Actress and screenwriter Leila Sweeney McDougall will take part in a Q&A following the showing of her movie, Just a Farmer, at The Dam in Denmark on May 26.

The film, which McDougall wrote and in which she also stars, is the main picture in a free community movie night supported by Black Dog Ride, a charity which raises awareness of depression and suicide prevention.

The Australian film, which has an IMDb rating of 7.8/10 and also stars Robert Taylor and Susan Prior, is about a newly widowed mother who is left to care for an alcoholic father-in-law and a failing farm.

Denmark Black Dog Ride committee member Shari Bolitho said the film would resonate with the community.

“It is very relevant to the mental health and welfare of the farmers in our area and the wider community as well,” she said.

The 2024 movie has won several awards and was nominated in the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts category of best indie film.

Black Dog Ride sponsored The Dam to host the film and hopes to raise awareness, start conversations and support mental wellbeing in the bush.

Black Dog Ride director Bev Seeney said the movie night was part of a rural film tour being organised by the charity.

“We are trying to get the film to go far and wide because it has such a powerful message,” she said.

McDougall, who was raised in the farming community of Walcha in rural New South Wales, will be joined in the post-film panel session by Denmark doctor Alex Sleeman and mental health advocates.

In October 2024, Dr Sleeman survived falling under a two-tonne tractor and had to learn to walk again after suffering serious spinal injuries.

Although the event is free, it is ticketed so booking is essential.

Register online at https://events.humanitix.com/just-a-farmer-community-movie-night.