Kristy Matheson.
Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) senior film programmer Kristy Matheson has been awarded the 2017 Natalie Miller Fellowship.
The annual $20,000 grant is given to a woman in the Aussie screen industry who has demonstrated initiative, entrepreneurship and excellence.
Matheson has worked in independent film distribution and for both the Brisbane International Film Festival and Sydney Film Festival. In her current role with ACMI she programs both contemporary films and retrospectives.
The programmer received the grant today at Australian International Movie Convention (AIMC) and intends to use it to fund a research proposal that will look at how internationally renowned film institutions are responding to digital disruption and ‘future proofing’ their business models.
Of the award, Matheson said: “In just a few short years, this fellowship has become an industry game-changer, with previous recipients actively shaping the future of our industry and giving voice to women at the top leadership level. I am deeply honoured to join this impressive list of film professionals and look forward to embarking on my research proposal which will highlight the innovations of our local industry and reinvigorate a dialogue on the challenges and opportunities facing cinema exhibition.”
Natalie Miller said Matheson stood out among a strong batch of applicants as a future industry leader.
“She has experience in exhibition, distribution and marketing in both the commercial world as well as currently at ACMI. Her research project leads her to think globally and should bring findings to benefit the whole film industry as well as audiences. She has an engaging personality which will make her a very worthy ambassador for the Natalie Miller Fellowship.”
Previous recipients of the fellowship include: Rachel Okine (VP international production and acquisitions, StudioCanal, Paris); Harriet Pike (head of production and development, WildBear Entertainment), Rebecca Hammond (head of localisation and access service, Deluxe Australia), Courtney Botfield (director, Goodship) and Sasha Close (film programming manager, Wallis Cinemas).