Sarah Polley

Cast · Writer · Director

Born

January 8, 1979 · Toronto, Ontario, Canada

“I think it takes a lot of focus and determination to stay in a relationship with film and acting that's productive and stimulating.” Sarah Polley is a celebrated Canadian actor, director, writer, and producer. She began her career as a child actor, gaining acclaim for her roles in Atom Egoyan’s Exotica (1994) and The Sweet Hereafter (1997). Polley transitioned to directing with notable works such as Away from Her (2006), earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. She won an Oscar for her screenplay adaptation of Women Talking (2022), which addresses complex themes within a cloistered religious community facing trauma from sexual assaults. She started acting at age four, with her first film being One Magic Christmas (1985). Notably, she starred in the CBC series Road to Avonlea (1990–96), showcasing her maturity as an actor. After a brief hiatus for political activism, Polley returned to acting with a renewed perspective, particularly after her role in The Sweet Hereafter, which marked her evolution from child star to a significant figure in film. Polley’s career includes supporting roles in films like Go (1999) and Dawn of the Dead (2004), as well as television appearances in Slings and Arrows (2006) and John Adams (2008). She has received multiple awards, including the Claude Jutra Award and several Genie Awards for her contributions to Canadian cinema. Her later projects include Take This Waltz (2011) and the documentary Stories We Tell (2012), which received critical acclaim. Polley was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2015 and has also authored the essay collection Run Towards the Danger (2022), reflecting on her life experiences.