Oliver Conway

Kate Winslet's directorial debut, Goodbye June, is a family affair.

Written by her son, Joe Anders, it looks at siblings trying to put differences aside to honour their mother, played by Helen Mirren, as she dies at Christmas time.

Kate Winslet is clear on why now was the right time to take control behind the camera.

Do we really know what to do with the camera?

I looked at the top 100 films at the UK box office last year, 16 directed by a woman or co-directed by a woman, 84 by a man.

Yeah.

Why is that?

There's just a lack of belief in women being able to do it.

Actually, we're incredibly forward thinking, very resilient.

We can cope extremely well with very little sleep and we get things done.

Two of Kate Winslet's three children are following her into the business.

This year, her daughter, Mia Thrippleton, had a main role in a Wes Anderson film.

I have my reasons.

Which are what?

My reasons?

I'm not saying.

And now she has helped her eldest son, Joe, have his script for Goodbye June turned into a film.

I always like a cheap bird.

How difficult is it to get the balance between encouraging them with their career and the whole nipple baby argument?

Of course, the Kate Winslet Christmas film that is a huge part of many people's Christmases every year is The Holiday.