The Film Producers Association of Australia (SPA) has appointed former ACT Premier Kate Carnell as the inaugural Chair of the SPA Council.
Mr Carnell is already Chair of the Australian Made Campaign and was previously a member of SPA’s Screen Export Council, a role he held from 2016 to 2021. He represented screen companies through his work as an ombudsman.
He was Chief Minister of the ACT Legislative Assembly from 1995 to 2000 and has also held positions as CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce, the Food and Grocery Council and Beyond Blue. She is currently a director at healthtech platform Mable.
Mr Carnell said he was pleased to continue supporting Australian filmmakers, who are “at the heart of Australian cultural and economic storytelling”.
“The screen industry includes many innovative, hard-working small businesses, and I am committed to ensuring they have the tools, resources, and advocacy they need to succeed, both here and on the global stage. “We are committed to getting in,” she said.
Carnell’s appointment follows the 2024/25 SPA Board’s announcement in November that Tracy Vieira of Hoodlum Entertainment and Suzanne Ryan of SLR Productions will continue in their roles as president and vice president, respectively. do.
Mr Vieira said Mr Carnell’s “unparalleled” experience in supporting small and medium-sized businesses and deep ties to the screen sector made him an ideal choice as chair.
“At a time when our industry is facing significant challenges, particularly in terms of how the industry will fare in the new online streaming era, Kate’s leadership will ensure our members’ voices are heard and Australian stories grow. “It’s very important to keep going,” she said. Said.
SPA chief executive Matthew Diener said Mr Carnell had “consistently demonstrated a commitment to supporting the economic development of Australia’s key industries and the role of small and medium-sized businesses within it”.
“Kate’s appointment is a first for SPA. She understands the challenges of running a small business, the power of collective advocacy and the need for Australian-made products and services for our members.” he said.
“I look forward to working with Kate to fulfill her role and amplify SPA’s voice in the public sphere.”
