Just Listen

Just Listen is a stylistic documentary exploring the identity of people with inattentive ADHD, specifically girls. The film follows the journey of a girl named Selena, who discusses her symptoms and speaks about the struggles she faces from societal pressures put upon her because of stigma surrounding the disorder. Even when asking a psychologist for help, she is left to deal with her problems by herself as she is ‘not struggling enough’. She eventually finds herself cracking under the pressure and feels hopeless. Just listen aims to highlight the struggle ADHD women face and the stigma that is still present in our society today.

  • Sienna Aurora
    Director
  • Sienna Aurora
    Writer
  • Sienna Aurora
    Producer
  • Alaya Puglielli
    Key Cast
    "Selena"
  • Agus Poenitz
    Key Cast
    "Psychologist"
  • Hayden Mouat
    Key Cast
    "Male Student with ADHD, Stranger 1"
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Documentary, Experimental, Stylistic
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 39 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 25, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Indooroopilly State High School
Director Biography - Sienna Aurora

Sienna is a 17 year old filmmaker who is currently studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts at QUT. She started making films in 2021 and has loved film ever since, helping develop Indooroopilly State High School’s film program and participating in other student films. Sienna also has a background in Acting and Musical theatre, having been in 12 productions over the last 7 years, including productions by Queensland Musical Theatre and Harvest Rain Talent Academy. Recently, her film ‘Just Listen’ has won both secondary categories in the Blue Heeler Film Festival and Black Snapper Film Festival. Sienna hopes to create more films and pursue a career in film as she loves directing, editing, colour grading and writing films.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Just Listen was a difficult film to write and produce as I had put a lot of pressure on myself to get it right. I wanted to ensure that I showed an accurate representation of the struggles and symptoms that ADHD women experience as there are many inaccurate representations throughout media today. As a girl with ADHD, this film means a lot to me as it tells my story and exposes how I struggle to the world; something I have never done before. There are so many challenges that women with ADHD face that haven't been talked about at all in the media. Though there is a long way to go with eradicating the stigma surrounding ADHD, I hope my film can educate or help someone, even if its only one person.