YOUNG FEMALE PLAYWRIGHT

description

When her professional debut play is branded “deeply personal,” a young playwright must fight to question the line between truth, fiction, and art.

26-year-old Millie lands a career-making debut at Canada’s National Theatre, but the celebration quickly turns to scrutiny after a press release describes her play as a “deeply personal story.” Certain her dark family drama is a work of fiction, Millie is blindsided as those around her begin to read it as confession, especially her uncle Mark, a schoolteacher and recovered alcoholic. Through bright lights and dark comedy, the film interrogates who gets to tell which stories, what it costs a woman to be believed. YOUNG FEMALE PLAYWRIGHT is the debut feature from Calgary-born CUFF alum Director Pony Nicole Herauf (ART BABY, CUFF 2025).

OFFICIAL SELECTION
Cinequest 2026

DIRECTOR'S BIO
Pony Nicole Herauf is a queer performer and director based in Toronto. They began writing and directing films in 2018. Their body of short films includes BREAKING UP FOR THE MODERN GIRL, I WANNA MAKE A MOVIE, OR I WANNA DIE TRYING, ART BABY (CUFF 2025), and MOON & BACK. Her newest short GO PISS, GIRL! was supported by the InsideOut Film Festival. Pony has directed commercial work for Nissan, Via Rail, Interac, and Meridian. YOUNG FEMALE PLAYWRIGHT is her feature length directorial debut.