About
Julia is a writer from Toronto, Canada, who brings her distinct voice, humour, and imagination to a variety of mediums, including theatre, film, television, audio, copywriting, and prose.
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Coming from theatre, Julia's plays have been produced to acclaim across North America and in Europe. Her work has been nominated for awards internationally, including the Los Angeles' Drama Critics' Circle's "Best Production" (losing to... Hamilton), and the Playwrights Guild of Canada's Tom Hendry Awards (2021 & 2022).
Julia's films have been selections at over 40 festivals worldwide, including the Toronto International Film Festival, Palm Springs, Aesthetica, and SXSW. Her film & TV scripts have been shortlisted multiple times for Sundance Film Festival Development labs, and at the Austin Film Festival. She is an alumna of the Whistler Film Festival Screenwriter's Lab.
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Julia's work has been published by J.G. Shilllingford Press, Baseline Press, in Intermission Magazine, She Does the City, and featured on The Hidden Station and A Moment of Your Time.
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Julia was the recipient of the 2022 Gold Copywriting Award for Craft at the 100th Marketing Awards for writing "WANT". This was the second commercial spot she wrote. Her first chapbook of poetry, I've Been Thinking About Vanishing, was released by Baseline Press. It sold out twice.
Julia approaches her work with curiosity, wit, and a sense of whimsy.
She often writes from a sidestep outside of reality, exploring emotions through metaphor, and playing with heightened comedy. She focuses on female protagonists, themes of connection and mental health. And on witches, but funny ones. Her work is driven by a deep curiosity about the world and how weird it is to be a human here.
Photo by Barcsay Photography
Julia's work has been described as “brash, poetic, and fiercely original” (NOW Toronto), “laced with sophisticated poetry and wry insight” (The Los Angeles Times), and as, “ris[ing] to a rare level of universal truth, all while making us laugh. A lot.” (NewCity Stage Chicago).
Recent News:
SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST 2023!
Julia's first feature film, her own adaptation of her hit play, WITH LOVE AND A MAJOR ORGAN is premiering at SXSW as part of the Visions programme.
"Visions filmmakers are audacious, risk-taking artists in the new cinema landscape who defy traditional categorization in documentary and narrative filmmaking."
DEADLINE ANNOUNCEMENT | SXSW PAGE | FILM WEBSITE
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In an alternate world where hearts are made of objects and suppressing emotions is self-care, a lonely woman rips out her own heart for the man she loves, only to discover that he has run away with it.
BANFF CENTRE FOR THE ARTS: WRITING RESIDENCY
Julia is one of two Playwrights to be invited to the Banff Centre for the Arts 2023 Playwrights Retreat. She is there working on her new play, I AM AN ISLAND.
I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT VANISHING
a long poem by Julia Lederer
Published by Baseline Press: 2022 Release. Currently SOLD OUT.
Adapted from the audio piece created for the Toronto Fringe Festival's Community Booster in 2021.