Tracey Vieira.
Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieira has resigned, and will leave the agency at the end of August after five and a half years.
Vieira was appointed CEO in February 2014, having previously been based in LA as Ausfilm executive vice president international. Prior to that she was the executive manager of locations for the Pacific Film and Television Commission. Vieira was contracted to the CEO position until early 2020.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk thanked Vieira for her leadership of the funding body, noting last year was a record year for the state with 32 productions generating $262 million for the state economy and creating 2,600 jobs.
“Queensland’s screen industry has never been stronger,” the Premier said. “That’s thanks to Tracey.”
Vieira said she is incredibly proud to have been part of the Screen Queensland team, noting it was time to pass leadership into new hands.
“I came into the role during a tumultuous time for the organisation and industry in Queensland with a clear vision of what we needed to do in partnership with the industry to make Queensland a great place to create content for all platforms and ensure that industry could stay in the state to do so,” said Vieira.
“The whole team at Screen Queensland has worked tirelessly to revolutionise what a screen agency can be and have done that with excellence and generosity.
“I leave knowing that this is the culture of Screen Queensland and am excited about what the organisation and industry will continue to do together.
“I am particularly proud of the partnerships we have delivered with companies like Stan where we developed the first feature film for the streamer and then announced a development deal for premium drama series, and with SBS where we partnered on the first VR series for a broadcaster, to attracting Australia’s very first Netflix original series Tidelands with Queensland company Hoodlum Entertainment.
“We have worked closely with all the broadcasters as well as private financing partners, Australians in Film and many others to elevate content for global audiences and so I leave knowing I have done what I came here to do.
“It has been immensely satisfying to have been able to discover, elevate and support the many talented creatives and businesses we have here in Queensland creating world-class content such as Bluey, Harrow, Goldstone, Wik vs Queensland, Bureau of Magical Things, Balloon Barnyard, The Second, Tidelands, Grace Beside Me, Family Law, Safe Harbour, The Butterfly Tree, Ella, Winchester, This is Desmondo Ray, Snake Sheila, Blue Water Empire and many others along with working with games studios and games developers to support their businesses, games and growth. The talent in the state continues to be underestimated but is knocking it out of the park.”
Screen Queensland chair Linda Lavarch praised Vieira for her achievements as CEO.
“Tracey’s achievements during her time with Screen Queensland are considerable and she is leaving the organisation in a strong position to continue to see growth and meaningful achievements for the local industry which has grown year-on-year since 2014,” said Lavarch.
“Her established relationships in North America have paid significant dividends for Queensland which has had back-to-back international productions since Tracey took the role and maximised the Queensland Government’s Production Attraction Strategy.
“Through Tracey’s leadership Screen Queensland has: set a path to gender equity in the industry; launched its very first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy; opened sqhub, the first entrepreneurial startup space for the screen industry; established the Screen Queensland Studios, which opened in January 2019 and have been occupied since their first day; secured the Asian Animation Summit for two years; attracted the World Congress of Factual Producers Conference to Brisbane; and backed the local industry to achieve year-on-year growth.”
Vieira acknowledged the support of the Queensland Government and the Premier for her recognition of screen, and the Screen Queensland board and team.
“I am leaving to explore what is next in my own development, but know that Screen Queensland has never been in better hands than it is right now with the Queensland Government, Board and entire Screen Queensland team.”
Vieira will finish at Screen Queensland on August 24. The position of CEO will be advertised shortly.