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Seeking Expressions of Interest for Gender Matters Taskforce

Screen Australia is seeking expressions of interest from screen industry professionals to join the Gender Matters Taskforce in 2023.

How To Please A Woman director Renee Webster with Sally Phillips (Photo Credit: David Dare Parker)

Formed in 2016 and expanded in 2018, the Gender Matters Taskforce is a volunteer-based, advisory body for Screen Australia made up of women and under-represented genders working across the Australian screen sector. 

The Taskforce assists the agency to develop pathways, find opportunities and brainstorm solutions, as the broader Australian industry works toward achieving gender parity. Importantly, the members of the Taskforce are connected to the industry beyond Screen Australia’s direct sphere of influence, so are integral in promoting broader industry change.

TASKFORCE 2023-2025

Screen Australia is calling for expressions of interest for the next iteration of the Taskforce.

The Taskforce will comprise of 10-12 women and under-represented gender members, and will meet 3-4 times a year in addition to attending a small number of industry events. Ideally, this iteration of the Taskforce will serve until 2025.

Meeting dates are planned well in advance, and flexibility is provided in terms of member location and diaries.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Screen Australia is specifically seeking members who have:

  • Direct industry experience, including creators, crew, and those working in commissioning, broadcasting, distribution, exhibition, streaming, games, financing and general management. Screen Australia encourages expressions of interest from above and below-the-line practitioners.
  • Represent a range of perspectives, including different experience levels, geographic locations, cultural background, ability and other lived experiences. Screen Australia encourages expressions of interest from women and under-represented genders, and those living in remote/regional areas to form the Taskforce.
  • People who are willing to not only advise Screen Australia, but act beyond Screen Australia’s confines to develop, advocate for and enact change in the broader $3 billion Australian screen industry.

Please note Screen Australia is in regular discussion with state and territory agencies and industry guilds and because we cannot adequately accommodate a member from each agency and/or guild in a Taskforce of this limited size, we will not be accepting EOI’s from current staff members/elected representatives from these organisations.

SUBMIT

Please email your expression of interest by Friday 10 February 2023 to [email protected].

Please include the following:

  • Name
  • Your role(s) in the industry and short bio (max. 200 words)
  • The cohort/s in the industry you are best able to represent
  • Your geographic location
  • Any limitations on your availability to serve on the Taskforce over the next 18-24 months.

And provide a short statement (approx. 250 words) in answer to the below questions:

  • Please describe the value, experience and expertise you can bring to the Taskforce.
  • Please propose some solutions/opportunities you believe you could bring to the Taskforce discussions, and how you could put them into action.
     

Screen Australia will be in touch with all applicants late March 2023, before announcing the new Taskforce.

PREVIOuS TASKFORCE

Screen Australia thanks previous Gender Matters Taskforce members for their contribution. They include:

  • Sarah Bassiuoni Writer and director and recipient of the Philip Parsons Fellowship at Belvoir Theatre.
  • Kodie Bedford Writer and director.
  • Larissa Behrendt Professor and Director of Research at UTS.
  • Diana Burnett (Strategy Manager 21/22) Studio Manager at Animal Logic | Netflix.
  • Sally Caplan Senior executive and former Head of Content at Screen Australia.
  • Tania Chambers Producer and Manager Director of Feisty Dame Productions.
  • Liz Doran Internationally acclaimed writer and producer.
  • Anusha Duray Acquisitions Manager for National Indigenous Television and producer.
  • Bonnie Elliott ACS Award-winning cinematographer who works across drama, documentary and video art. 
  • Lisa French Dean of RMIT University’s School of Media and Communication. 
  • Rachel Griffiths Academy Award-nominated and multi award-winning actress, director and producer. 
  • Mithila Gupta Writer, script editor and developer.
  • Monique Keller Manager, Original Content for Audible.
  • Rosie Lourde (Co-Strategy Manager 2022) Content creator and actor.
  • Kristy Matheson Director of Film at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne.
  • Georgie McClean (Strategy Manager 20/21) Executive Director at The Gist.
  • Que Minh Luu Content Director, ANZ at Netflix and former executive producer working across scripted drama, comedy and digital content at the ABC.
  • Nerida Moore Former Head of Development at Screen Australia.
  • Meg O’Connell AACTA Award-winning producer.
  • Rachel Okine Managing Director of Aquarius Films.
  • Ana Tiwary Producer, director and ADG Executive.
  • Fiona Tuomy Award-winning screenwriter, director, producer and developer.
  • Deanne Weir (Deputy Chair): Industry veteran and powerbroker. Owner of WeirAnderson.
  • Joanna Werner (Chair) Award winning producer and founder of Werner Film Productions.
  • Malinda Wink Global Director for Good Pitch at Doc Society.
  • Sophia Zachariou CEO of Bunya Productions.

GENDER MATTERS TASKFORCE 2018/19:

Imogen Banks (Producer), Sarah Bishop (Actress, writer, director and producer), Jo Bladen (General Manager, Disney Studios Australia & New Zealand), Fiona Cameron (Former COO of Screen Australia, co-creator of Gender Matters and fulltime member of the ACMA), Corrie Chen (Writer and director), Sasha Close (Exhibition and programming executive consultant to independent cinemas), Lisa French (Dean of Media & Communication at RMIT University), Michelle Guthrie (Former Managing Director of the ABC), Sophie Hyde (Co-founder of Closer Productions), Emma Jensen (Writer, development executive and script consultant), Samantha Lang (Director of Handmaid Media and former President of the ADG), Deborah Mailman (Actor and Screen Australia Board Member), Sue Maslin (President of the Natalie Miller Fellowship, producer), Sharon Menzies (Managing Director of Fulcrum Media Finance), Pearl Tan (Director of Pearly Productions and Senior Lecturer, Directing at AFTRS), Joanna Werner (Founder of Werner Film Productions), Deanne Weir (Former Managing Director, Content Aggregation and Wholesale at Foxtel) Caitlin Yeo (Screen composer), Julie McGauran (Head of Drama at Channel 7 - served temporarily).

FOUNDING GENDER MATTERS TASKFORCE:

Deanne Weir (Head of the Gender Matters Taskforce), Imogen Banks (Producer), Corrie Chen (Screenwriter and Director), Sandi Don (Head of Distribution, Hopscotch/eOne), Sophie Hyde (Director and Producer), Emma Jensen (Writer), Samantha Lang (Director of Handmaid Media and current President of the ADG), Sue Maslin (Producer), Miranda Tapsell (Actor) and, Natalie Tran Vlogger (Actor and Writer).

THANK YOU

“On behalf of Screen Australia I want to thank all current and former members of the Gender Matters Taskforce for their passion and commitment to developing pathways and opportunities for women and underrepresented genders in the sector.

It’s heartening that we have seen improvements in gender equality in the screen industry since Gender Matters launched in 2015. However progress has been slow and there is no denying that much more work is needed to support equality on and off screen.

As we forge ahead and develop a new KPI I urge any industry professionals who can help, to please consider lodging an expression of interest to join the Taskforce. We welcome your experience, skill, ideas and determination to propel change for women now and into the future.”

Grainne Brunsdon
Head of Content, Screen Australia