Joy Hopwood’s New Film The Gift That Gives Set for TV Debut
Australian director Joy Hopwood, known for her previous work Get A Life, Alright, is set to premiere her latest film, The Gift That Gives, on Nine at midday on April 19. The film features a talented ensemble including Takaya Honda and Haiha Le, who play central roles in a storyline about an author who finds himself romantically entangled between a television presenter and his bookstore-owning best friend.
The narrative is enriched by the addition of his brother and a series of undisclosed love letters, creating a romantic and intriguing plot. The cast also features Lily Brown Griffiths, Damien Sato, Susan Ling Young, Genevieve Craig, Atharv Kolhatkar, Andy Trieu, and Lex Marinos.
Hopwood not only penned the screenplay but also collaborated with a skilled creative team comprising Caz Dickson as cinematographer, Valentina Lastrebova as production designer, Lara Cross handling sound, and Jon Cohen as editor.
Following a successful theatrical release earlier in the year, the film was celebrated for its visual storytelling, securing the Best Cinematography award at The New York International Women’s Festival. The Gift That Gives was described by Hopwood as a “feel-good film” aimed at delivering meaningful life lessons to its viewers.
“The Gift that Gives is a feel-good film with life hacks which I hope the audience will take away with them after watching,”
Hopwood remarked.
“As we come here on earth with nothing and will leave with nothing; it’s what we do in between that matters- making a difference in each other’s lives,” she added.
In addition to her latest film, Hopwood is actively engaged in other projects including It’s Our Time, currently in post-production. The upcoming film stars Tiana Hogben and involves a narrative about a filmmaker seeking funding to avoid eviction, with complications arising as personal relationships intertwine.
Looking further ahead, Hopwood is developing another feature, Her Last Laugh, with plans to commence casting in 2025. This future project will explore a family’s struggle to maintain a casting agency to inherit it, adding another layer to Hopwood‘s diverse filmmaking portfolio.
