Rebel Wilson, best known for her role in Pitch Perfect, made her directorial debut with The Deb, an Australian musical comedy, which premiered as the closing night film at the Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday. Wilson, who directed, produced and starred in the film, was present for a post-screening Q&A at Roy Thomson Hall, where she discussed her passion for directing musicals and her future in filmmaking.

Wilson revealed that her love for musicals began during her teenage years, explaining that a failed audition for her dog led to her attending a musical that changed her life.

“When I was a teenager, it was a pretty dark time, and I got to see a musical at 14 years of age, because my dog auditioned for it,” Wilson said.

Although the dog didn’t land the role, Wilson was captivated by the experience.

“I saw these people dancing and singing on stage, they were so colorful and joyful, and that really helped me through my teenage years,” she said.

That experience cemented her love for the genre and shaped her desire to direct only musicals in the future.

“That’s why, if I’m directing more movies, it’ll only be musicals and bringing joy and positivity to people,” she said during the Q&A.

Wilson also shared that she’s already received two offers to direct additional musicals.

The Deb is set in rural Australia and tells the story of Taylah Simpkins (played by Natalie Abbott), a farm girl and high school outcast, who sees the upcoming Debutante Ball as her chance for a transformation.

However, her cynical city cousin Maeve (Charlotte MacInnes), who has been sent to live in Taylah’s drought-stricken town, challenges the idea of the ball, viewing it as outdated. As the two navigate their differences, they embark on a journey of self-acceptance.

The film was produced by Amanda Ghost, Len Blavatnik and Gregor Cameron through their company Unigram and AI Film, in partnership with Rebel Wilson’s Camp Sugar Productions and Australian producer Bunya Productions. The Deb is adapted from an original stage musical of the same name.

During the Q&A, Wilson also shared that her inspiration for the film came from Australian classics such as Muriel’s Wedding and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

“If I’m going to do a movie, it has to be Australian, it has to have a koala and it has to feature plenty of bush,” Wilson said.