A Woman's Calling

Doomadgee women look beyond themselves, rekindling a sense of purpose by helping Papua New Guinea women in extreme poverty.

  • Ivy Staker
    Director
  • Fisch Rasy
    Producer
  • Veronica Walden
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 11 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 30, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    120,000 AUD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia, Papua New Guinea
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED Gemini, Mavic Pro, Sony A7s
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • AFIN International Film Festival
    Brisbane
    Australia
    October 23, 2019
    Best Documentary Short
  • Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival
    Gympie
    Australia
    October 3, 2019
    Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Big Apple Film Festival
    New York
    United States
    November 20, 2019
    North America Premiere
    Official Selection
Distribution Information
  • SBS
    Distributor
    Country: Australia
    Rights: Free TV
Director Biography - Ivy Staker

An anthropologist by training and at heart, Ivy stumbled into filmmaking and discovered a new way to practice her craft. She spends her time exploring the diverse perspectives of people within different groups, industries, cultures, sub-cultures and companies, seeking to understand their unique experiences and looking for stories that move and inspire. She is honoured and awed by those who trust her to help tell their tales.

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Director Statement

It was a great honour and privilege to direct this female-driven project, telling the story of Veronica and Anthea, two incredible women from Doomadgee as they traveled to Papua New Guinea to meet the women for whom they’ve been sewing reusable menstrual pads and to exchange skills as the ranger women of PNG start their own pad making business. We were greeted with gorgeous flowers and heartfelt embraces. I was deeply inspired by the fierce femininity on display, the fearlessness to talk about periods in a place where the topic is incredibly taboo, and the overwhelming warmth and hospitality with which we were treated. In a leadership role that was new and intimidating to me, I drew strength from the courage and tenacity of the women around me. I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity to steward this story and for the support, dedication and collaboration from my team on this project, it was truly a group effort.