LEFT WRITE HOOK

In the first year of Left Write Hook’s release significant, measurable social impact has been made. The film has been screened to target audiences, breaking the silence on the prevalence and impacts of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) in Australia, and educating the community and health workers about trauma-informed care for victim-survivors.
Highlights since the films release include:
*98 screenings facilitated/delivered across 55 venues nationally
*34 Q&A screenings delivered in the community, workplaces and conferences
*99 media stories generated, elevating victim-survivor voices and growing the public profile of the survivor-led Left Write Hook charity.
*700+ victim-survivors were connected to Left Write Hook Charity via EOI for future programs since the launch of the film
*$500,000 in new philanthropic and community funding was secured to expand the Left Write Hook charity’s delivery of survivor-led programs.
*Film won Best Feature Documentary at the 2025 AIDC Awards
*Film launched on Netflix Aus/NZ in April 2025
*Film launched on Kanopy streaming platform for education use July 2025
*National online event with key impact partner Blue Knot Foundation was delivered in May 2025, providing an opportunity for the film team and Blue Knot ED Cathy Kezelman to discuss CSA, incest, trauma recovery and victim-survivor lived-experience. Our film gave one victim-survivor the courage to attend this event and connect with other victim-survivors for the very first time.
*Q&A film screenings paired with short experiential workshops, have proven a successful pathway to connect with victim-survivors and galvanise communities around the establishment of new regional Left Write Hook programs.
*The film and Left Write Hook program were introduced to an international sector audience via a Q&A screening at the International Childhood Trauma Conference 2025 in partnership with the Australian Childhood Foundation.
*Outreach to educators has facilitated the introduction of the film into tertiary/TAFE teaching (including psychology, community and human services)
*Online training in trauma-informed care for health workers, featuring excerpts of the Left Write Hook film, is in development.

Film audience survey responses indicated the film and Q&A screenings were extremely successful in increasing awareness, changing perceptions & understanding around childhood sexual abuse and motivating audiences to take action. For example:
89% of respondents indicated that viewing Left Write Hook had improved their awareness of the prevalence of child sexual abuse in Australia to some, or to a great extent.
86% of respondents indicated that viewing Left Write Hook changed their perceptions and understanding around who is a CSA survivor to some, or to a great extent.
88% of respondents indicated that viewing Left Write Hook changed their perceptions and understanding around the emotional impacts of trauma to some, or to a great extent.
90% of respondents indicated that viewing Left Write Hook changed their perceptions and understanding around the physical impacts of trauma to some, or to a great extent.
86% of respondents indicated that viewing Left Write Hook changed their perceptions and understanding around the timeframe over which impacts are experienced to some, or to a great extent.
68% of respondents indicated they would discuss CSA (including incest) more openly with others as a result of seeing the film

Viewing the film successfully motivated audiences to engage around the issue of childhood sexual abuse and take action, as follows:
67% of respondents indicated they would advocate for increased community support for victim-survivors
63% of respondents indicated they would explore resources on the film website
41% of respondents indicated they would refer a client/friend/family member to the Left Write Hook Program
36% of respondents indicated they would advocate to establish a Left Write Hook Program in their area
24% of respondents indicated they would donate to help the Left Write Hook charity deliver further programs
22% of respondents indicated they would express interest in participating in a Left Write Hook Program
17% of respondents indicated they would host a screening with their networks
12% of respondents indicated they would donate to the Film Impact Campaign to support further screenings and use of the film in trauma-informed training

Left Write Hook was joint winner of the MIFF 2024 Intrepid Audience Award.
Following a limited Australian cinema release during October – December 2024, including a series of Q&A screenings, Left Write Hook is now available for in-cinema community screenings via FanForce and can be licenced for DIY community screenings.
As part of the Left Write Hook impact campaign, in 2025 we will be screening the film to health workers and we will develop trauma-informed professional development training modules in collaboration with the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Following a sold out World Premiere screening at the Melbourne International Film Festival, Left Write Hook will travel west to screen at the Cinefest Oz Film Festival 1 – 7 Sept 2024.
Thanks to all of our Documentary Australia donors for their support.

Thanks to all of your support, Left Write Hook will have its World Premiere at the 2024 Melbourne International Film Festival, with metro and regional MIFF screenings from 14 – 25 August 2024.