Toni Collette has praised Kate Winslet for bringing an "incredible sense of trust and freedom" to the set of Goodbye June

And Toni, 53, and Timothy, 68, think Kate - whose 22-year-old son Joe Anders wrote the screenplay - did an outstanding job.

Toni told People: "[It was a] dream come true. I've been saying it for years as well. I mean, it was more than I even expected, because I thought we'd just act together.

"But when someone chooses you to be a part of their directorial debut, that's a big deal. That's a total honour. And she's such a good director."

Kate's ability to successfully direct, produce, and star in the film came as "no surprise" to Toni.

Toni continued: "We all knew she would be, but she really is. It was just the most beautiful set, such an incredible atmosphere, such an incredible sense of trust and freedom.

"And she's so generous and kind and grounded and funny. And honestly, none of us wanted it to end."

Timothy - who worked with Kate in the 1996 romance-thriller film Hamlet - said it "felt completely natural" to share scenes with Kate, as well as have her direct the ensemble cast in Goodbye June.

Echoing Toni's praise, he added: "I mean, when I first worked with her and met her, she struck me as being open, funny, brilliant, self-deprecating, and just very, very honest - and that's just matured.

"And intelligent - that's the other thing. She's incredibly intelligent, but none of it is demonstrated in a showy way. It's all completely natural. She's a natural and brilliant actress, but also a very hardworking one and a very versatile one."

Timothy believes that "all of the things that she's learned" from working with "some of the best directors on earth", including James Cameron, 71, on 1997's Titanic, and Nancy Meyers, 76, on 2006's The Holiday - stood her in good stead for being a director.

Timothy added: "She is one of the best actors on earth, and these two things are fused perfectly, and it makes absolute sense that she should direct a film."

And he will jump at the chance to work with Kate again in a movie that she stars in or directs.

Timothy said: "And in a strange way, it's a bit late. I mean, let's hope she starts a lot because I'll tell you what, if she asked me to work with her again, I'd do it like that. I mean, she is absolutely brilliant."