Cate Shortland (Somersault) on Female Filmmaking, Vulnerability & Finding Your Voice

On this episode of She's All Over the Place, host Katie Chonacas sits down with acclaimed filmmaker Cate Shortland, director and pioneering voice for women behind the camera, to discuss her landmark debut feature Somersault. Originally nominated for Un Certain Regard and the Camera d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, Somersault follows teenage Heidi, who escapes home after a traumatic encounter and attempts to rebuild her identity in a frozen ski town. Through isolation, longing, and fragile connection, the film explores adolescence, intimacy, and the human need for belonging. We go far beyond filmmaking technique. This conversation becomes an honest exploration of creative courage, emotional exposure, and artistic voice, especially for female storytellers navigating an industry that often discourages vulnerability. Cate shares: • How Somersault was conceived and made • Working with early-career actors Abbie Cornish and Sam Worthington • Why vulnerability is a strength in storytelling • Emotional truth vs. performance in film • The responsibility of female filmmakers to tell authentic stories • Finding confidence as a woman director • Creative intuition, sensitivity, and psychological depth in cinema We also discuss the film's new 4K restoration and its continued cultural relevance, over 20 years after its Cannes premiere. More than a film discussion, this episode is a masterclass on owning your voice, telling your story, and making art that feels emotionally truthful. About the Film – Somersault Following a reckless encounter with her mother's boyfriend, teenage Heidi flees home and takes refuge in a motel in the winter town of Jindabyne. She finds work at a petrol station, befriends a coworker, and begins a complicated relationship with Joe, a young man dealing with his own emotional wounds. Together they confront isolation, desire, addiction, and the search for connection. Written & Directed by: Cate Shortland Cast: Abbie Cornish, Sam Worthington, Lynette Curran Genre: Drama Runtime: 106 minutes Restored in 4K from the original 35mm negative by Piccolo Films