A short documentary film tracing Newcastle founder and youth advocate Natalia Hogan’s 175-kilometre run from Sydney to Newcastle will premiere at Event Cinemas Kotara on Wednesday 21 October 2026. Directed by Hunter filmmaker Jye Currie, the documentary NATALIA chronicles the October 2025 endurance run, Running Home, which Natalia completed alongside ultramarathon runner Nedd Brockmann as part of Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge initiative.
The documentary examines Natalia’s lived experience with childhood homelessness and her subsequent advocacy work across the Hunter region. The 175-kilometre run served as the practical action project for her Ma & Morley Leadership Scholarship at the University of Newcastle, contributing to broader fundraising initiatives that have generated more than $100,000 for youth support causes.
In 2026, Natalia transitioned from her allied health career as a registered physiotherapist to launch The Bridge Project, a social enterprise connecting young people aged 12 to 25 with local health and social services. The enterprise operates a cross-subsidised business model where paid corporate and school speaking engagements fund a free self-referral web directory covering housing, mental health, domestic violence, legal, and educational support across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, and Port Stephens.
Founder of The Bridge Project, Natalia Hogan stated that early intervention programs help vulnerable youth navigate regional support systems.
“I didn’t set out to make a film. I set out to run home,” Natalia said.
“Jye saw something in the story that I couldn’t see from the inside. My hope is that a young person watches it and realises that where you start doesn’t decide where you finish. The services exist, but so many young people are too afraid to reach out. There’s shame, they don’t feel safe, or they don’t believe asking will actually change anything. The Bridge Project closes that gap. I stand in front of students and tell them what I needed to hear at their age, and then I make it easy for them to take the next step. The Hunter raised me, in every sense. Everything I’m building is about making sure the next kid who’s doing it tough here has a clearer path than I did.”
IMAGE | Short documentary NATALIA to premiere in Kotara following 175-kilometre youth homelessness run
