The life and work of Stella Young — disability icon, comedian, journalist, and feminist — is on the precipice of being immortalised in film. Filmmakers Sarah Barton and Liz Burke have spent years crafting a documentary, Stella: I Am Not Your Inspiration, that captures her razor-sharp wit and fearless activism. With hours of archival footage, interviews with those who knew her best, clips from her many TV appearances, and candid behind-the-scenes moments, all the ingredients are there for a cracking film about the iconic Stella Young. The only snag left is funding.
This International Women’s Day, the Victorian Women’s Trust and others are supporting a fundraiser to get this documentary across the finish line. Stella gave so much to her community, and completing this film is a fitting tribute.
“I never knew Stella Young,” says Liz Burke. “But while working on this documentary, I fell in love with her staunch activism, wit, and intelligence. This is a film that needs to be made. Activists across all fields can learn from Stella.”
Stella was a rising star when she died suddenly on 6 December 2014 of a suspected aneurysm. She was just 32 years old. Born in Stawell, a small town in country Victoria, she was one of three sisters. She was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, a lifelong condition, and used a wheelchair. Her activism started early — while still a teenager, she assessed the public accessibility of her hometown. She went on to study journalism and teaching, working briefly as an educator before moving into media. Stella was the editor of Ramp Up, the ABC’s disability publication, and hosted eight seasons of No Limits, a disability panel show on Channel 31. It was through No Limits that she met Sarah Barton, one of the show’s producers.
For Sarah, this documentary is both a testament to Stella’s legacy and a deeply personal project. “Stella was a dear friend and colleague,” she says. “I’d imagined she’d be with us for much longer, but when she died, I realised just how much she had achieved — and how far her influence had spread.”
“So many people love her but don’t know the full story,” Sarah continues. “This film will cement Stella as the international superstar she was on the verge of becoming.”
2014 was a pivotal year for Stella. She made her debut at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival with her show Tales from the Crip, directed by feminist comedian Nelly Thomas. The show won the coveted Best Newcomer Award, glowing reviews and promise of a trip to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. That same year, she gave her now-famous TEDx talk, I’m Not Your Inspiration, Thank You Very Much, which has since been viewed over four million times. Stella wasn’t just a local star; she was on the cusp of global recognition.
Since her passing, there have been several efforts to honour Stella’s legacy, including an accessible statue in her hometown. Liz and Sarah believe that film is one of the most powerful ways to tell her story. The fundraiser, run through Documentary Australia, is a crucial step in ensuring the documentary is completed.
“We have a detailed script and about 70% of the interviews recorded,” says Sarah. “This fundraising campaign will demonstrate the widespread support for the film, helping us secure completion funding from Screen Australia.”
Making any film requires patience, endurance, and resources, and this project is no different. “The funds we raise now will allow us to film key scenes, complete further interviews, and begin the editing process,” says Liz. “With this in place, we’ll be in a strong position to approach funding bodies for the final stage.”
Liz is confident that the film will have wide appeal. “I can’t wait to see Stella in cinemas and on streaming services — still causing trouble, still stirring up great conversations,” she says.
Stella: I Am Not Your Inspiration will take its place among the great documentaries celebrating figures who made a difference. “We make films about cricketers and politicians,” says Sarah. “We should also make this film about a fiercely funny comedian, feminist, and disability activist.”
Help share Stella’s story with the world by making a donation via Documentary Australia.
Ally Oliver-Perham
When she’s not managing communications at VWT, you will find Ally cheerfully bouncing on her toddler’s trampoline (with or without said toddler) or sneaking in few pages of a good book. With a passion for gender equality, Ally’s interested in meaningful ways we can work together for social good.
