Massey short film ‘Woman’ about endometriosis wins big

Woman shows endometriosis in an authentic way, asking the question ‘does the womb make the woman?’ 

Massey third-year film project Woman has won multiple awards including a Best Actress and Trailblazer award.   

Siän Hailey Ledingham, the writer and director of Woman, was inspired by her own experience with endometriosis.  

The film tells the story of Eva, a young girl with endometriosis who falls pregnant, and the dangers that come with this. 

Ledingham said, “I have really never seen any representation of endometriosis in media, and it can be extremely lonely not really knowing if others around you are going through the same pain and confusion as you.” 

Ledingham has struggled with the condition since she was 13, it took her three years of pain to even get close to a diagnosis and surgery.  

She felt Eva’s story connected with her, “I live in constant fear of both falling pregnant and of infertility, because I’m so aware that either way I will struggle, either way I will face judgement.” 

Her main goal with Woman was to show the audience how much endometriosis truly effects your life, and how it’s so much more than just period cramps.  

“A lot of the time, due to the physical nature of the disease, you end up having to make hard decisions that can ultimately upset yourself the most.” 

Winning the Trailblazer Award at the Screen Arts 2022 awards was Ledingham's proudest moment.  

“I felt like our film had truly taught people something and touched them in some way, and that’s all I can possibly dream of.” 

Lead actress Jorja Baylee won Best Actress in an International Film at the Taylor’s University Film Festival.  

Despite having family and friends with endometriosis, Baylee felt she had no idea how hard it really was before playing Eva.  

“A lot of the film talks about how hard it is going to the doctor with endometriosis and having to consistently talk about your pain and have to consistently fight for yourself within in the healthcare system.” 

Baylee didn’t know she was in the running for awards until she saw an Instagram story announcing she’d won Best Actress while in the middle of a show.  

“I went outside and did a lap. I ran around the whole theatre and just thought ‘oh my god’.” 

She said she was surprised at how switched on and aware the Massey film students were.  

“I was really amazed with the fact that this is a really sensitive topic for a film and the way that they all handled that and worked with grace.” 

The film will be released to the public towards the end of the year, updates will be on the @woman.shortfilm Instagram.