Julie Kaufman is a producer of film about Lilly Ledbetter

Julie Kaufman (far left) is long time supporter of the theater. Her latest involvement, though, is a film about Lilly Ledbetter.

“People knew I’d invested in several Broadway shows, most notably Come From Away,” explains the Atherton resident.  “Some friends contacted Rachel Feldman — the writer, director and producer of Lilly — before the film was made. I felt the story was an important one — and well worth telling.”

This was underscored when the script was read by a young script writer in Hollywood.

“She had never heard of Lilly or the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, a law that protects employees from pay discrimination that was signed into law by President Obama. The film is a political drama — it’s Lilly’s story.”

Starring Patricia Clarkson [as Lilly], John Benjamin Hickey and Thomas Sadoski, the film tells the story of an Alabama tire factory worker who stands up to powerful corporate and political forces, underscoring the impact a single, courageous person can have on society.

The film has won BEST of the FEST at the 2025 Palm Springs International Film Festival and was awarded the Anti Defamation League’s STAND UP AWARD at the 2025 Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Lilly will screen at 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 22, at the California Theatre (345 S First St.) in San Jose. Follows these instructions to purchase tickets online: click on “regular” (you’ll then see many categories). Scroll through the “drama” category to find Lilly, click on it and you’ll be given a screen to order tickets.

Photo showing Julie with (left to right) star Patricia Clarkson, writer-director Rachel Feldman, and Palo Alto resident MJ Elmore.

Courtesy of Julie Kaufman