Power Meri
Can one team realise the dream of millions?
Power Meri follows Papua New Guinea’s first national women’s rugby league team, the PNG Orchids, on their journey to the World Cup in Australia.
These trailblazers must beat not only the sporting competition, but also intense sexism, a lack of funding, and national prejudice to reach their biggest stage yet. Proud, strong, and hopeful, the pioneering Orchids have overcome more challenges than most to play their much-loved national sport. But after years at a grassroots level, they have just three months to transform themselves into a competitive national team. Power Meri takes audiences on a journey through rarely-seen corners of PNG and behind the scenes of women’s sport. It follows the Orchids through selection trials, arduous training, and diverse personal struggles as they face the world champion Australian Jillaroos and compete at the world cup.
“A refreshing account of the power of women to challenge and change attitudes...that has had significant national and global impact.”
Judges, the Walkley Foundation
“It’s rare to see a film that captures so eloquently the power of sport to inspire people and be that catalyst for change.”
Anna Cale, The Culture Vulture
Partners
Awards
Winner | 2020 | The Walkley Foundation | June Andrews Award for Women’s Leadership in Media
Nominated | 2020 | Women’s History Month Film Festival
Nominated | 2020 | Athena Film Festival
Nominated | 2019 | Sarasota Film Festival
Nominated | 2019 | Papua New Guinea Human Rights Festival
Nominated | 2019 | Oceania International Documentary Festival (FIFO) Tahiti
Finalist | 2019 | International Association of Sports Journalists Best Video Documentary
Finalist | 2019 | Beyond Sports Global Awards | Best Campaign or Initiative in Sport for Good
Winner | 2019 | Sport Australia Media Awards | Best Depiction of Inclusive Sport
Finalist | 2019 | Through Women’s Eyes International Film Festival
Finalist | 2019 | Women Sports Film Festival
Finalist | 2019 | Bentonville Film Festival
Finalist | 2019 | Hawaii Film Festival
Finalist | 2019 | Milwaukee Film Festival
Finalist | 2019 | Real Film Festival Newcastle
Finalist | 2018 | Pasifika Film Festival
Finalist | 2018 | Papua New Guinea Human Rights Film Festival
Watch it
Stream on Vimeo
Screen it
Please contact the distributors: Media Stockade
Study it
Download our complimentary study guides for high school students.
Screen The Film in Your Classroom
About this production
Documentary feature
Producers: Rebecca Barry and Madeleine Hetherton-Miau
Director: Joanna Lester
Production company: Media Stockade and Rutha
Production year: 2018
Website: powermerifilm.com