Inspired by the true story of Marion Barbara "Joe" Carstairs, legendary powerboat racer and transatlantic sailor, who was born in London in 1900; 'No Ordinary Joe' explores the most extraordinary and lasting relationship between this colourfully defiant lesbian and 'Toddie', the young man who was the love of her life and just happened to be a dapper, little Steiff doll. Through this outspoken puppet, 'Joe' Carstairs gets to appreciate all she has achieved and her impact on the world. And that she certainly had a life stuffed full of adventure and incident, without conforming to any expectations of gender or sexuality. Living life on her terms, only. The film is set in a stylised bedroom towards the end of Joe's life, mixing startlingly intense performances from a live action actress and a stop- motion animated puppet.
—Glenn Holberton