Emily Mutimer is an award winning Australian actress, who also plays the lead role of Astrid in the Australian LGBTQ series Flunk, a global hit with over 194 million views and 429k subscribers on its channel. She shined in Flunks spin off feature film The Sleepover and After School, which became a top-ten LGBTQ film on Tubi and is available on Amazon Prime and Vimeo on Demand. Emily’s talents and acting abilities lead her to star in two Australian pilots; ‘Bunchie’ directed by the extraordinary John Orcsik and ‘Bongrats’, which sold out it’s premiere screening in a theatre of over 200 seats. Emily wrote her own short film ‘On the Seventh Day I Was Late to Spin Class’, where she won Best Actress and Best Overall Film Concept at the 2023 AAFTA Film Festival. Emily is set to play the lead in an upcoming US feature film, which is in it’s pre-production stages for 2025.
HI! THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CHAT WITH US! CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF, WHO IS EMILY MUTIMER IN YOUR OWN WORDS?
Hi! Thanks for having me. My name is Emily Mutimer and I am an Australian actress. I love anything art related and expressing myself through art is a massive part of my life. Acting has been my dream since I was little, and I’m so lucky I get to play characters as a career. I play Astrid on the Australian LGBTQ international hit show Flunk, with an overall 194 million views and 429k subscribers to the channel. I play one of the leads in Flunk’s spin off feature film The Sleepover, which has been amongst the top ten LGBTQ films on US streaming platform Tubi. The film can be watched on Amazon prime as well as Vimeo on Demand. Alongside acting, I love the beach, being active and taking care of my body and health.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE AND ACT IN YOUR AWARD-WINNING SHORT FILM, AND HOW DID THE RECOGNITION AT THE AAFTA FILM FESTIVAL IMPACT YOU?
I had the idea for the film a long time ago, so when everything started to line up, I knew this film had to be made, I needed to get it out of my head and on the page. I remember writing the first draft and making myself laugh at how silly some of the parts were, but I thought if it’s making me laugh then it surely has to be somewhat entertaining to somebody. Winning the Best Actress award and Best Overall Film Concept at the AAFTA film festival was truly incredible. It’s almost like the universe saying “good job keep going you’re on the right track”. It was motivating to have the recognition from the film and I’m glad it resonated with a lot of people.
THE SERIES YOU ACTED IN RECENTLY SOLD OUT A THEATER WITH OVER 200 TICKETS—WHAT WAS THAT EXPERIENCE LIKE, AND HOW DOES IT FEEL TO SEE YOUR WORK RESONATE WITH SUCH A LARGE AUDIENCE?
It was an amazing experience! To see over 200 people in the same room watching something myself and many talented filmmakers were apart of is a great feeling. We had a cast Q&A afterwards where the audience were able to ask us questions about the show and we were able to give them an insight on the making of the Australian TV series ‘Bongrats’. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to share stories with the audience about our long days on set and the magic that happens when filmmaking. I was able to connect with a lot of people at the screening about a journey as an actress and chasing a dream!
YOU’VE WORKED ON AN AUSTRALIAN PILOT AND HAVE SEVERAL PROJECTS IN PRE-PRODUCTION. HOW DO YOU CHOOSE ROLES, AND WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING PROJECTS?
I honestly love all the roles that come my way, I love auditioning and playing several different characters in a week, it makes it exciting. Some upcoming projects have more musical themes in them which I’m really excited about because I love music! I have been lucky enough to have been cast in a TV series that is in development, starring comedian Joe Bartnick. It’s such a privilege to have the opportunity to learn from industry professionals, I’m very excited for the upcoming future project and to dive into my characters storyline.
YOUR SHORT FILM EXPLORES THEMES OF MAKING LIFE CHANGES AND OVERCOMING OBSTACLES. WHAT PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OR PHILOSOPHIES INFLUENCED THIS STORY?
In my past I think I held on to things a lot more than I do now and when I realised how much freer I felt when I was able to let go of the things that were holding me back, I thought – well I definitely want to share this message with people and so the film was inspired by how life changing events can happen when you’re true to yourself and let go of things that don’t serve you.
YOU’VE MENTIONED THE IMPORTANCE OF STORYTELLING IN HELPING PEOPLE FEEL LESS ALONE. CAN YOU ELABORATE ON THE POWER OF STORYTELLING AND ITS ROLE IN YOUR CREATIVE MISSION?
I believe that storytelling brings people together, in my film I wrote and acted in I was able to get an idea from my brain on to the screen to reach a larger audience. It’s a mission of mine to help people feel like we’re a community of loving, empathic and kind humans who help each other even when we might be strangers. I feel like I’m able to do this by storytelling and through characters. It’s super fun to play characters with all different personality traits yet finding the similarities of yourself in them.
ANY UPCOMING PROJECTS/ROLES YOU CAN TALK ABOUT?
Yes, I have been filming with Flunk this month, which is exciting to have my character Astrid have a new storyline. I also have a couple upcoming Australian short films and a feature film that’s in pre-production stages, which I’m very excited about. As for more future projects, I am very excited to announce that I have been cast in a feature film that is in development with Diversity Pictures and being created by Jessica Orcsik. I am thrilled for this project and the opportunity to work with skilled industry professionals.
WHAT IS ONE MESSAGE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO GIVE TO YOUR FANS?
I would say to follow your dreams no matter what challenges stand in the way. I know the feeling very well of putting your dreams on hold because of external factors. Remember what makes you happy and feel alive, then go chase it. Also, to find comfort and peace with your mistakes – that’s one that will help you keep the motivation to try new things.
WHERE CAN OUR READERS FIND YOU ONLINE?
I’m on Instagram: @emilymutimer
