Frame by Frame: The Rise of Mollie Leivars

Born in Scotland and raised in Darby, filmmaker Mollie Leivars grew up in a working‑class family with deep roots — she still has all her grandparents and great‑grandparents in her life. School was never easy; anxiety pushed her out of the classroom and into homeschooling long before it was common. But at home, something else took shape. Her mother introduced her to film, and Mollie began putting on shows for her family before she could even name what storytelling was.

By fifteen, she moved behind the camera and created her first short film. Her work has always leaned into the real issues facing young people — bullying, drugs, crime — and her first film on knife crime was so powerful it brought her local police into her creative orbit. They partnered with her on her next three projects.

In 2022, she stepped onto the film festival circuit, chasing longevity, purpose, and the legacy she hopes to leave behind.

This conversation is honest, grounded, and full of heart. Mollie is a bright star with a filmmaker’s eye and an old soul’s wisdom. Her journey is just beginning, and you can feel the weight of what she’s building.