Arts Minister Peter Garrett today announced the appointments for the first board of the government’s new film agency, Screen Australia.
Mr Garrett said the appointment of Mr Glen Boreham (Chair), Mr Ian Robertson (Deputy Chair), Ms Cherrie Bottger, Ms Rachel Perkins, Ms Deanne Weir, Mr Robert Connolly and Mr Greg Smith until 30 June 2011, opened a new chapter for Australian film and television with the commencement of Screen Australia from July 1.
“Screen Australia will help develop a more competitive screen production industry, which contributes more than $71 million to the economy, while providing strong support for projects of national or cultural significance,” Mr Garrett said.
“The Board appointees I have announced today will provide significant leadership to Screen Australia when it commences operation from July 1 and over the next three years.
“The calibre of these appointments provides a clear signal to the industry that the government is committed to a vibrant production sector.
“This Board brings together a broad range of skills, experiences and backgrounds, and provides the industry with a fresh perspective which will assist in building the success and sustainability of the industry.
“Screen Australia heralds the beginning of a new era for the Australian film and television industry bringing together the main functions of the Australian Film Commission, the Film Finance Corporation Australia and Film Australia Limited.”
The new agency will continue the work of these three agencies, such as supporting productions of national significance and public interest and providing practitioner and industry development, access programs and promotional activities. Under consequential legislation, Screen Australia will administer the new Producer Offset.
“The recruitment process for Screen Australia’s new CEO is well underway and I look forward to working with Mr Boreham in the selection process. Until then Ms Lyn Maddock will continue as the Interim CEO.”
Screen Australia Board Appointments
Glen Boreham (Chair)
Mr Boreham is the Managing Director of IBM Australia and New Zealand. Mr Boreham began his career in Australia in 1986 and has since held a series of senior management positions at IBM including roles in the United Kingdom and Japan. Mr Boreham is a member of the Business Council of Australia, serves as the Deputy Chair of the Australian Information Industry Association, is a Governor of the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia and a Director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
Ian Robertson (Deputy Chair)
Mr Robertson is the Sydney managing partner of the national law firm Holding Redlich. He practises media, entertainment, intellectual property, trade practices and corporate law with emphasis on the film, television, radio, telecommunications, advertising, publishing and online industries. Mr Robertson has served on a number of private and public boards, including seven years as a board member of the Australian Broadcasting Authority, seven years as a director of Ausfilm (including four years as Chair), six years as a director of Film Australia (including two years as Deputy Chair), and two years as a director of the Victorian Government film agency Cinemedia (which is now called Film Victoria). He is currently a director of Beyond International Limited and Solar Sailor Holdings Limited, as well as of Ausfilm.
Cherrie Bottger
Ms Bottger is the Head of Children’s Television and Documentary Unit at Network Ten Pty Ltd, presiding over a multi-million dollar slate of production and with responsibility for policy, programming, commissions, acquisitions and program development. Ms Bottger began her career in television in the 1970s and has produced many series, documentaries and children’s programs including the acclaimed children’s television series, Totally Wild, which is screened in 13 countries. She has previously held positions with the Seven Network, Grundy’s and the Nine Network. Ms Bottger is a Board member of the Pacific Film & Television Commission, a member of the Advisory Board of Griffith University’s screen studies, television and film school and works closely with state and federal education departments.
Rachel Perkins
Ms Perkins is an established filmmaker who has contributed extensively to the development of Indigenous filmmakers in Australia and, more broadly, the Australian film industry. In addition to her experience as an executive producer for both the ABC and SBS, Ms Perkins has had a successful filmmaking career, directing the feature films Radiance and One Night
The Moon which received five Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards. Ms Perkins is from the Arrernte and Kalkadoon nations. She has previously served on the Council of the Australian Film, Television and Radio School, the NSW FTO and will complete her term on the Board of the Australia Film Commission on 30 June 2008. She is also a Board member of the National Indigenous Television Service.
Deanne Weir
Ms Weir is a business executive with over 17 years of corporate experience. She is currently the Group Director of Corporate Development and Legal Affairs with AUSTAR United Communications Ltd, with responsibility for corporate and product strategy, programming, and legal and regulatory issues, including as General Counsel and Company Secretary. As part of her role with AUSTAR, she is a Board member of the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association, XYZnetworks Pty Ltd, and is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Centre for Media and Communication Law at the University of Melbourne. Ms Weir has previously been a member of the Museums Board of Victoria, the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre Trust and the Council of the Law Institute of Victoria.
Robert Connolly
Mr Connolly is a well-known film director and writer. His credits include the critically acclaimed feature films Three Dollars and The Bank, and as producer of the award-winning film, Romulus, My Father (winner of four Australian Film Institute Awards) and The Boys. Mr Connolly has won three Australian Film Institute Awards and has received a Centenary medal for services to the Australian film industry. He has served on various industry boards, including the NSW Film and Television Office, the Australian Screen Directors Association and the University of New South Wales Dean’s Council.
Greg Smith
Mr Smith has over 20 years experience in the Australian film industry including as an executive producer and film financier. He is currently the Director, Public Affairs with Animal Logic, one of the world’s most highly respected digital production companies with credits including Happy Feet, 300, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Hero, The Matrix and Moulin Rouge. He is a former Director of Film Victoria and the NSW Film and Television Office and is a current member of the Ausfilm Board.
[Release from the Arts Minister’s Office]