By Sam Dallas
After eight years at the helm of Film Victoria, Sandra Sdraulig is leaving the organisation.
Announced today, Sdraulig will not be renewing her contract when it expires on March 25 next year.
"It’s time for me to divert my passion, commitment and energy to other pursuits," she said in a statement.
“As CEO I’ve focused on initiatives that would reinvigorate the Victorian industry.
“I’ve had the great privilege of seeing talented teams create award-winning stories like Harvie Krumpet, Japanese Story, Blessed, Mary & Max, Animal Kingdom, Bran Nue Dae, Underbelly, Bastard Boys, After the Deluge, Tangle, Rush, and new storytelling concepts in Forget the Rules.
“Our approach has been to not only support people and projects but create infrastructure in the state that has made Victoria a world-leading production destination.
"I leave the organisation knowing that the government is committed to the Victorian Screen Industry Strategy and Film Victoria has a new three-year corporate plan in place that will continue to drive benefits for the industry and this great State."
Film Victoria president John Howie praised the departing CEO, saying she was appointed at a tough time in the Victorian industry and that she overcame that with flying colours.
“Sandra is a passionate advocate for the screen industry and has played an instrumental part in transforming the Victorian film, television and digital media industry from critically low levels of production to record highs well above $200 million," Howie said in a statement.
“Sandra was appointed CEO at a tough time in the Victorian industry following the abolishment of Cinemedia. She has re-established Film Victoria to be recognized nationally for its delivery of innovative programs, an internationally respected high-standard of commission services, and world-first industry events in the Digital Distribution Summit and recent Arresting Audiences Summit.
“Under her guidance Film Victoria has positioned Melbourne as an important production destination globally, securing unprecedented levels of production for the state including international projects such as Where the Wild Things Are, Charlotte’s Web, Ghost Rider and the largest television series ever made, The Pacific."
The CEO position will be advertised in the coming months.