Molly Taylor documentary nominated for international film award

An Australian-produced documentary charting the triumphs, setbacks and determination of rally champion Molly Taylor has been nominated for an international award.

Drive Like a Girl, directed and co-produced by CarExpert’s own Head of Video, Sean Lander, has been named a finalist for Best Documentary Feature at the 2026 International Motor Film Awards.

The awards’ judging panel includes former Top Gear ‘Stig’ Ben Collins, ex-Formula One driver and television presenter Tiff Needell, Porsche aficionado Magnus Walker, Wheeler Dealers TV host Mike Brewer as well as journalist Vicki Butler-Henderson.

“We’re incredibly humbled and proud to be selected as a finalist and recognised at this level,” Ms Taylor told CarExpert.

“This was a passion project of ours, supported by so many to bring to life, so we owe a big thank you to them all. Most notably to Sean Lander, who spent countless late nights and early mornings making sure we could tell our story, our way.

“There’s often a side of motorsport that isn’t so visible and we wanted to change that, start discussions and, most importantly, showcase why we all love what we do.”

The film follows Ms Taylor – the reigning FIA Extreme H World Cup winner, the inaugural Extreme E world champion and the 2016 Australian Rally Champion – as she chases drives, sponsorship and results in a male-dominated profession.

It covers not only her immense success, including moving to the United Kingdom as a 20-year-old, claiming rally silverware and tackling gruelling events such as the Dakar Rally, but also the low points.

Those challenges include Ms Taylor’s recovery from a violent four-roll crash in Saudi Arabia, which left her battered and bruised but free of serious injury, as well as changing teams and sponsors amid constant financial pressure.

Earlier this year, Drive Like a Girl won the Best Use of Digital Media award at the 2025 Motorsport Australia National Awards. Mr Lander, who runs Unleaded Films, was also named Videographer of the Year at the 2026 Newspress Awards in May.

The latest nomination is icing on the cake for the documentary, which is available on YouTube, Kayo Sports and Apple TV, as well as in shortened form on 7flix.

“For our low-budget documentary to be nominated alongside some of the titans of the film industry is an honour and a privilege,” Mr Lander said.

“It goes to show that Molly’s story resonates across industries, and that seeing someone give their all to reach the top of their chosen vocation is compelling, no matter the track surface.”

The winner will be announced on November 14, 2026, when the awards ceremony and red-carpet gala take place at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California.