Netflix, Sunstar Entertainment to make film about Jessica Watson’s global yacht expedition

Jessica Watson’s astonishing round-world yacht expedition is set to be chronicled in an upcoming Netflix feature film.

Jessica Watson had the whole of Australia behind her when she sailed into Sydney after 210 days voyaging around the world solo.

It was a moment in history most Aussies will probably never forget.

The then 16-year-old, on-board her Ella’s Pink Lady yacht, charging down the home stretch into Sydney Harbour to a crowd of thousands, after completing her solo circumnavigation of the southern hemisphere, in May 2010.

And now, Watson’s triumphant voyage is set to be chronicled in an upcoming Netflix feature film.

The movie will be produced by Debra Martin Chase (Harriet, The Princess Diaries and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants), and talent management and film production company Sunstar Entertainment, based on Sydney’s northern beaches, which also assisted in the production of the Oscar-nominated 2016 film Lion, starring Nicole Kidman.

A picture of Jessica Watson from her 2010 book, True Spirit.

Watson penned an autobiography in 2010, True Spirit: The Aussie Girl who Took on the World, which will help in the making of the story. Australian Sarah Spillane will write, direct and produce the film.

“True Spirit has been Sunstar’s passion project,” producer Andrew Fraser said in a statement.

“We have waited a long time for the stars to align and for us to feel comfortable that the right ingredients were present to do justice to Jessica’s achievement.

“Our partnership with Netflix will ensure Jessica’s epic story is shared with a global audience, as it deserves to be.”

Watson aboard her yacht Ella's Pink Lady on her way to Tonga.

At this stage there’s no news on who will play Watson in the titular role.

“The hallmark of Sunstar Entertainment has been to bring to the world audience true, inspirational, Australian-centric stories,” executive producer Shahen Mekertichian said.

“We feel privileged to have finally found the right partner in Netflix to articulate Jessica‘s incredible story authentically and without compromise.” 

Watson left on her journey on October 18 2009, where she headed northeast, crossed the equator in the Pacific Ocean before crossing the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and returning on May 15 2010, just three days shy of her 17th birthday.

She went on to be honoured with Young Australian of the Year in 2011 and has since led various projects, including a team that became the youngest ever to compete in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.