In August 2017, in the lead-up to national elections, Jacinda Ardern unexpectedly became New Zealand’s opposition party leader. She had just turned 37. Two frenetic months later, she was Prime Minister. Just before the final vote was in, she discovered she was pregnant. She would become only the second head of state in history to give birth while in office. 

Ardern quickly became one of the most recognizable leaders in the world. She drew global attention from people craving a sensitive and compassionate approach to the critical issues of our time. In private, she struggled with being a mother and proving herself to a public skeptical of women’s leadership. A series of crises – the Christchurch massacre, pandemic lockdowns, and disinformation-fueled protests outside Parliament – would test that leadership and the empathetic touch she brought to it. She resigned from office in January 2023, surprising her supporters and critics alike.

Going behind the scenes of her administration and her private life, PRIME MINISTER follows Jacinda for seven years as she is catapulted to the top of New Zealand politics, becomes a feminist political icon, resigns suddenly from office and continues to champion the fight against isolationism, fear, and the distortion of truth. Intimate home footage shot by her husband and audio interviews that Jacinda did while in office give us unparalleled access. Along with in-depth contemporaneous interviews, these form the emotional backbone of the story, giving viewers an unfiltered window into her years in power.

The world is at a perilous political crossroads. Trust in institutions, expertise, and liberal democracy itself are under dire strain. Which direction will we go? PRIME MINISTER leaves viewers wondering what the world might be like with more Jacindas at the helm.

Jacinda Ardern served as the 40th Prime Minister of New Zealand, elected in 2017 at the age of 37 and was the country’s youngest Prime Minister in more than 150 years. As the world’s youngest female head of government she championed an inclusive and empathetic leadership style that made bold policy changes and successfully guided her nation through unprecedented global and domestic challenges.

Ardern was born in the small town of Hamilton, New Zealand. She graduated from the University of Waikato with a Bachelor of Communication Studies in Politics and Public Relations. While a student, she joined the New Zealand Labour Party at age 18.

Post-university, she worked as an adviser in the office of then-Prime Minister Helen Clark. In 2005 Ardern went to London and worked in the Cabinet Office of British Prime Minister Tony Blair and on a review of Policing in England and Wales. In 2008 she entered New Zealand’s Parliament as a list candidate. At age 28 she entered the House of Representatives as its youngest member.

Ardern became the MP for the Auckland electorate Mt. Albert in early 2017, and the Leader of the Labour Party in August 2017.  As well as Prime Minister, she held the roles of Minister for National Security and Intelligence, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, and Minister for Child Poverty Reduction.

During her time in office, Ms. Ardern confronted significant challenges, including a live- streamed domestic terror attack targeting New Zealand’s Muslim community, a volcanic eruption, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Responding with a people-first approach grounded in kindness, she helped New Zealand achieve one of the lowest losses of life during the pandemic among developed nations, instituted a ban on military-style semi-automatic weapons, and created the Christchurch Call to Eliminate Violent Extremism Online, for which she remains an active Patron.

A champion of women’s empowerment, Ms. Ardern’s administration saw New Zealand reach a historic 50 percent representation of women in Parliament, and on government appointed boards. Her government also decriminalized abortion; provided girls’ sanitary products to schools to counter period poverty; and extended paid parental leave to six months. During her tenure, the government strengthened pay equity laws, enacted environmental protection and micro-plastics policy and secured historic international trade agreements. In 2018 Ms. Ardern became the second woman in history to give birth while leading a country.

After leaving office in 2023, Ardern has remained active in important causes and issues:

• Selected for a dual fellowship at the Harvard Kennedy School where she is a Senior Fellow, Women and Public Policy Program.
• In 2024, the Center for American Progress appointed Ardern to lead the Field Fellowship, which aims to support and connect global leaders to address challenges and explore solutions.
• Patron, Christchurch Call Foundation.
• Board Member, The Earthshot Prize.
• Distinguished Fellow, Conservation International.
• In 2023, Ardern was awarded the accolade — Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit — the country’s second highest honor.

Sources: Magnolia/HBO Documentaries and the Council of Women World Leaders.

In a world accustomed to hardened, masculine leadership, Jacinda Ardern led with an unapologetic commitment to empathy and compassion. As filmmakers, we were guided by a central question: What does leadership look like when kindness and humanity are at its core? 

Our goal was to give audiences an intimate, front-row seat to the extraordinary demands of leading a country, made even more remarkable as Jacinda navigated some of New Zealand’s most significant crises while balancing the realities of new motherhood. Her approach to leadership during times of immense pressure and uncertainty offers a powerful reminder of what’s possible when leaders prioritize people.

As female directors and mothers, this story felt personal to us. In a world facing complex human- centered challenges, we hope this film encourages audiences to see empathy and kindness as not just leadership strengths, but essential tools to building a better future.

— Michelle Walshe & Lindsay Utz

Melissa Godoy
Saturday & Sunday

For Melissa, filmmaking is an art, a business, and a way of life. She also has a lot in common with Jacinda Ardern in terms of managing multiple roles and responsibilities. 

Melissa is a director-producer-editor-cinematographer-writer, a dedicated educator, runs a business (Cinema Sol), and is married — all while raising a family.  Over her 30 years in production she has worn many hats and her projects entail managing diverse teams of local and national collaborators, clients and crew.

She is the winner of two regional Emmy Awards. Her programs have aired on public television stations nationwide and screened locally at events and exhibits at Cincinnati World Cinema, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Cincinnati Art Museum.

Most recently, Melissa produced the Emmy-winning mini documentary “The Making of Sweet Charity,” created by UC students in CCM’s Production Master Class. Before that, she made  “Determined: Fighting Alzheimer’s,” which aired nationally on NOVA | PBS in 2022.

She served as Line Producer for the 2020 Oscar-winning documentary feature “American Factory” (Netflix) by Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert and its prequel, Oscar-nominated “The Last Truck” (HBO). Godoy was also Line Producer for Bognar and Reichert’s “9to5: The Story of a Movement” (Independent Lens, Netflix) and the Primetime Emmy Award-winning series “A Lion in the House” (Independent Lens/Netflix).

She was the Cincinnati cinematographer for Katy Chevigny’s “Election Day” (POV/PBS) and the cinematographer and an editor for “The Lincoln School Story” by Andrea Torrice. Godoy’s directing credits include a feature documentary about creative aging, “Do Not Go Gently,” narrated by Walter Cronkite, with 2007 world premiere at CWC, which subsequently aired on PBS stations for 12 years though American Public Television. 

Having taught Documentary Production and Intro to Screenwriting, she now teaches the Production Masterclass and the Fundamentals of Story at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. In addition, Melissa is the Managing Producer of CCM Recording Productions, where she shoots, edits, and produces music videos and short documentaries with a talented student crew. 

Earlier in her career, Melissa was a Residency Artist with the Ohio Arts Council’s Arts Learning Program and an adjunct instructor at the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati State.  She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre from Northwestern University, where she was in the inaugural Creative Writing for the Media program.

SHANGHAI
ON ELM

Please welcome Shanghai on Elm to the CWC film family!   One-and-a-half blocks from the theatre at 7th & Elm, this friendly, fun and affordable Asian fusion eatery offers late-night hours: 5 PM-Midnight, Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday; and 5 PM-2 AM, Friday-Saturday. Closed Sunday.

Perfect for a post film drink or delicious selection from their extensive menu – big-bowl noodle soups, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes, traditional stir fry, fish/scallops/shrimp/prawn, plus all manner of wontons, dumplings, noodles, rice and homemade sauces.
Also open for lunch, 11 AM – 2 PM, Monday-Friday.

CWC patrons receive a 15% discount on their order, excluding alcohol; The discount is valid only for the date of a CWC screening. Let your server know you are a CWC patron and ask for your discount. Hours and menu subject to change – check before booking. 
RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED:  513-906-7000,  Shanghai On Elm.

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BUTCHER
& BARREL

It couldn’t be easier – across the street from the Garfield Theatre, you’ll find the Butcher & Barrel, home of delicious shareables, salads, entrees, sides and desserts, plus excellent wine, craft beer and mixed drinks.

CWC patrons receive a 15% discount on their order, excluding alcohol; menu is on the website. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially if you are dining between weekend sessions. You should present your online confirmation or ticket from the event, and let your server know if there are time constraints. The discount is valid only for the date of ticket.

HOURS: MON, closed; TUE-WED-THS, 4-10 pm; FRI-SAT, 4-12 am; SUN, 4-10 pm. The kitchen closes one hour before the restaurant. Hours and menu subject to change – check the website before booking.  RESERVATIONS REQUESTED: 513-954-8974 or thebutcherbarrel.com.

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