Stef Dawson is a multi-talented actress, recognized for her outstanding performances in various films and television series. She is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Annie Cresta in The Hunger Games Series, as well as her leading roles in numerous independent films. One of her most notable roles was in the film The Paper Store, opposite Penn Badgley, for which she won a best actress award at the Oxford International Film Festival. She has also starred in the lead role of Painted Woman, a female-driven western that premiered on STARZ.
Growing up in Australia, Stef developed a passion for an unusual sport called Vaulting, which combines gymnastics with horseback riding. She still enjoys riding and has a deep appreciation for the sport. In addition to her acting career, Stef has also studied Opera extensively and is a skilled singer who can perform in multiple languages, including Vietnamese and Mandarin.
Stef is committed to telling stories that showcase the beauty and complexity of the human experience. She believes that stories can help us find common ground and promote understanding and empathy. As a result, she is dedicated to creating female-driven, diverse, and complex stories that shine a light on our shared humanity.
Stef has received recognition for her work as an actress and has been selected as one of eight women to participate in the Australian International Women in Screen Workshop in New York. This prestigious program is led by female film and television professionals, and it has given Stef the opportunity to transition from actress to writer and filmmaker. Her writing is informed by her experiences as an actress and her desire to tell vital stories that resonate with audiences.
Stef is currently a finalist in the ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship for her screenplay Two Bridges, which tells the story of an isolated opera student who forms a friendship with an elderly Chinese woman living in Two Bridges, New York. This film is a personal project that Stef has been working on before and during the pandemic, and it is a testament to her dedication to storytelling and her desire to promote understanding and empathy.
