‘Rejection is hard, it makes you tough’: Aussie teen filmmaker Aurora Iler on showbiz challenges and future of film

After “hundreds” of rejection letters, 12-year-old Gold Coast award-winning actress Aurora Iler has achieved what some actors only dream of. Here’s how she did it

In this series shining a light on the 26 finalists for the Gold Coast Bulletin Women of the Year awards by Harvey Norman, we catch up with aspiring young filmmaker and ‘Young Women’ category finalist Aurora Iler, 12.

PORTIA LARGE: What makes you tick?

AURORA ILER: I am the youngest of four with three great big brothers. I am a Year 7 High School Student, a local award-winning actress, film maker and change maker. It makes me tick when someone says I can’t do something. People doubting me fuels me. I get up everyday because I know that everyday is different and an opportunity. We will never be on this day in this moment ever again so I want to live it.

Gold Coast Bulletin's Woman of the Year finalist Aurora Iler. Picture Glenn Hampson

PL: Reflecting on your life journey, what has been the most satisfying part, most challenging part?

AI: The most satisfying part so far was creating a short film being used to create positive change, save lives and protect people’s health. This film has been made with love, passion and experience and the end result is something I am very proud of. This film will eventually be in schools and I hope it lives longer than even my own remaining days at school. The most challenging part of my journey so far has been wanting to create my first film but being unable to find a director who would direct them. I was fortunate in this time to be introduced to the amazing Stef Smith who is a director and she empowered me to know that I should direct it myself. That just because I haven’t done it yet does not mean I can’t do it. That it would just be my first time doing it. She told me we need more female directors and that she wishes she started earlier. I am so thankful to her for helping me make my dreams even bigger than they were at the time. As a result I have now directed two films.

PL: What have you overcome personally or professionally that’s shaped their journey to date? AI: The biggest thing I have ever overcome professionally is the tough side of being an actor. I started when I was eight. I got my first job at 10. I have literally had hundreds of no’s in this industry. I have had far more no’s than yes’s. Rejection is hard, it makes you tough. No’s don’t scare me. But they are difficult to get used to in the beginning. But that doesn’t mean you should stop going for what you want. Start creating your own opportunities while you wait for opportunities from others.

Aurora Iler began acting at the age of eight. Now aged 12, she’s already grappled with the ups and downs of showbiz. Picture: Nigel Hallett

PL: Any wins, key milestones achieved, pivotal moments, goals moving forward?

AI: I won the World Monologue Games in November 2022 which shifted my perspective, I was also awarded with a Best Actress Award that same month. In May this year I was a finalist in the 7 News Young Achiever Awards in the Connecting communities category. My goals moving forward are to continue to make content that can be used to connect communities or create change and professionally I aim to be a part of a TV series, and to play a large role in a feature film. I plan to work hard in the meantime to help myself get closer to my goals everyday.

PL: How does it feel to be a finalist in your category?

AI: I am so proud to be a finalist amongst so many driven and talented women. To be a young women of the year finalist is a huge honour I am so proud of. I hope other young girls see this and know they can do this too. That they control their destiny.

Aurora Iler, ‘Young Women’ category finalist, is an award-winning actress and filmmaker. Picture: Supplied

PL: Why is it important support and champion women?

AI: It’s important for women to support other women because we are all on the same team and should all be rowing in the same direction. We should be each other’s biggest supporters. We should not look at each other as competition but encourage each other to grow and support each other to do that where we can. Men should support women because all men have a woman in their lives that they wouldn’t want to be treated as less than. That could be a mum, daughter, aunty, sister, cousin, friend, work colleague. I am fortunate to have many good men in my life.

PL: Advice to your 12 year old self?

AI: Since I am currently 12 I would like to give advice to my 21 year old self. That advice is keep going. Know that you can do this, you have done it before. You are powerful, talented and tough. Do not leave your potential success up to someone else. Go out there and make it yourself if you have to.

PORTIA LARGE IS CONTRACTED TO THE BULLETIN FOR WOMEN OF THE YEAR CONTENT