Poppy

Left foot brake, right foot gas.

– Poppy (Libby Hunsdale) repeats her driving mantra to herself

Rebellious, smart and straight to the point.

– Actor Libby Hunsdale describes herself, on TV One's Sunday programme, 18 April 2021

We know Libby embodies the spirit of this award. Her courage has been shown in her overcoming personal loss and throwing herself into auditioning for, and successfully gaining, the role of Poppy.

– Producer Robin Laing on actor Libby Hunsdale, shortly before Hunsdale won the 2020 Attitude Youth Courage Award, Kapiti News, 1 September 2021

It is one of the first films to have a female protagonist with an intellectual disability...she has a relationship with a boy which develops over the course of the film and that's something that's quite new, I think.

– Writer/director Linda Niccol on her feature film Poppy, on TV One's Sunday, 18 April 2021

Immediately. I just thought 'oh, she's fantastic'.

– Writer/director Linda Niccol on when she knew Libby Hunsdale was her lead actor, on TV One programme Sunday, 18 April 2021

I was legit screaming saying, 'Oh my god, oh my god, is this real?' ... my biggest dream in life is to show advocacy for all sorts of people who are willing to get a job in the entertainment industry.

– Actor Libby Hunsdale on winning the role of Poppy, on TV One programme Sunday, 18 April 2021

I can't actually get my head around the fact that I'm going to go to the movies...and it will be Libby.

– Libby Hunsdale's grandmother Barbara Andrews shows her pride in Libby's lead role, on TV One show Sunday, 18 April 2021

It cannot be overstated how comfortably Hunsdale inhabits the frame. Her energy oozes out of the screen, never feeling one-note. Poppy often says exactly what she's thinking, yet Hunsdale is at her most compelling in quieter moments.

– Sam Hollis in a review of the film, Regional News, 8 June 2021