Olivia Hargroder in Boss Cat.

Madman Entertainment and Bus Stop Films have today launched the trailer for Boss Cat, a new Australian family drama that follows Sonja, a young woman with Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome), on her quest for independence, empowerment and identity through the performance of Krump dancing. Boss Cat is the world’s first inclusively made feature film, placing a complex character with Trisomy 21 at the centre of the story.

Boss Cat celebrates human diversity, starring Olivia Hargroder as Sonja, a proud member of the Down Syndrome community who has always dreamt of having a leading role in a film. The film also stars Julia Savage (Class of ’07, Blaze, The Clearing), Penny Downie (Downton Abbey, The Diplomat) and Elijah Williams (Home and Away).

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Written, directed and executive produced by pioneering Australian filmmaker Genevieve Clay-Smith, the co-founder of Bus Stop Films and of Inclusively Made, Boss Cat followed an inclusive filmmaking process by implementing an end-to-end inclusive production pathway and mentorship program, creating distinctive on-screen and production roles for multiple young adults with disabilities.

Boss Cat was filmed in the Blue Mountains and was inspired by Clay-Smith’s experience making a documentary for Down Syndrome New South Wales about the lives of six people with Trisomy 21 and their dreams for the future. One of the subjects of the documentary was Gerard O’Dwyer, whose life goal was to become an actor. They remained friends, and were able to collaborate on Boss Cat, with O’Dwyer working as Clay-Smith’s directors’ attachment.

“From the very beginning, my vision for BOSS CAT was to create a heartfelt, funny and emotionally honest film that audiences of all ages could immerse themselves in and connect to on a human level,” said Clay-Smith. 

“While the film explores disability, it was incredibly important to me that Sonja was never defined solely by it. She is sassy, grieving, angry, vulnerable and wildly spirited; a force of nature, learning, like all of us, how to ask for help when life becomes overwhelming. Olivia Hardgroder brought this complex character of Sonja to life with extraordinary emotional range. Her performance is fearless and unlike anything I’ve seen on screen before. Holding a feature film together as the lead role is no small feat. She has done a phenomenal job and it was an honour to direct her in this debut.”

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Boss Cat will have its World Premiere at Sydney Film Festival in June, where the cast and crew will walk the red carpet at Sydney’s iconic State Theatre. The film will be released in Australian cinemas on 3 December 2026, which is also International Day of People With Disability.

Boss Cat is a Bus Stop Films production in association with WeirAnderson Films. The film was produced by lead producer Deanne Weir, and producers Bus Stop co-founder Eleanor Winkler, Bus Stop COOO/Head of Screen Dianna La Grassa, and Michele Turnure-Salleo of Feracious Entertainment. Executive producers include Tracey Corbin-Matchett OAM, Nathan Basha, Mandela Mathia, Ann Sherry AO and Robyn Kershaw.

Boss Cat will be released in cinemas on 3 December 2026