Sarah Polley

Biography

Sarah Ellen Polley OC, born on January 8, 1979, is a Canadian filmmaker, political activist, and former actress. She gained prominence as a child performer in the role of Ramona Quimby in the television adaptation of Beverly Cleary's books. This success paved the way for her portrayal of Sara Stanley in the beloved series Road to Avonlea, which aired from 1990 to 1996. Polley has appeared in various films, such as The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988), Exotica (1994), The Sweet Hereafter (1997), and Dawn of the Dead (2004).

Her directorial debut came with Away from Her in 2006, earning her a Canadian Screen Award for Best Director and an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. She continued to make her mark with films like Take This Waltz (2011) and the acclaimed documentary Stories We Tell (2012). In 2022, she wrote and directed Women Talking, based on Miriam Toews’ novel, which won her an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.