PRESS RELEASE
The South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) yesterday announced appointment of Australian film producer Liz Watts to the South Australian Film Corporation Board for a three-year term. She replaces producer Bridget Ikin who will be stepping down following the SAFC’s December Board meeting.
Chair of the SAFC Board Judy Potter welcomed Liz to the Board.
“Liz is one of Australia’s leading feature film producers, and she has an incredible track record in both film and television. She has recently established a great working relationship with the SAFC through The Rover and has experienced first-hand what we have been trying to achieve here. She will bring a fresh perspective and a valuable skillset to the organisation.
Judy acknowledged the contribution of Bridget Ikin, who has chosen to step down after seven years on the Board.
“Bridget Ikin has been a wonderful Board member over the past seven years, and has made a significant strategic contribution to the organisation during what has been an incredible time of change and renewal. She has also put her money where her mouth is, bringing production to the state and actively engaging with the local sector. She will be sorely missed”.
About Liz Watts:
In 1996 Liz Watts formed independent Australian production company Porchlight Films with fellow producers Vincent and Anita Sheehan.
Over the past ten years she has worked on internationally acclaimed films including Animal Kingdom, directed by David Michôd and starring Guy Pearce, Ben Mendelsohn, Joel Edgerton and Jacki Weaver; The Hunter, with Willem Dafoe and Sam Neil; Lore, directed by Cate Shortland; Dead Europe directed by Tony Krawitz, and The Home Song Stories directed by Tony Ayres.
Watts recently spent time in South Australia filming the SAFC-supported The Rover, starring Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson; David Michôd’s follow up to his critical and commercial sensation Animal Kingdom.
On taking up her appointment, Liz said,
“2013 seems to have been my year of South Australia. Not only did we shoot The Rover in the Flinders Ranges in summer, when I was lucky enough to use the incredible Adelaide Studios, but just two months ago I was on the jury of the Adelaide Film Festival. There is a real excitement about what’s happening in SA at the moment, and the talent coming out of the state. I look forward to working with Judy and with Richard and his team to achieve even greater things”.
Liz will formally take up the Board position at the February 2014 SAFC Board meeting.