True Spirit is a 2023 Australian biographical drama film directed by Sarah Spillane and written by Spillane, Cathy Randall, and Rebecca Banner. The film is based on the 2010 memoir of the same name by Jessica Watson, played by Teagan Croft. She is an Australian sailor who was awarded the Order of Australia Medal and is on the Australian Sailing Hall of Fame after attempting a solo global circumnavigation at the age of 16. The film was made available for streaming on Netflix on 3 February 2023.
Official poster
Jessica Watson is an Australian sailor who was awarded the Order of Australia Medal after attempting a solo circumnavigation at the age of 16. Although her voyage did not meet the distance criterion of 21,600 nautical miles (40,000 km) for a circumnavigation, Watson was nevertheless named the 2011 Young Australian of the Year and awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2012 for "...service to sailing and to youth through the achievement of sailing solo and unassisted around the world [sic], and as a role model for young Australians". She currently resides in Melbourne. Netflix produced a film True Spirit (2023) about Watson's voyage.
Watson in Düsseldorf, Germany, in 2011
Ella's Pink Lady at the Australian National Maritime Museum, following the completion of her voyage
Watson sailing Cape Horn, 13 January 2010
Ella's Pink Lady leaving Brisbane for Sydney