Featured Speakers in 2018
Beatrice Neumann
Beatrice currently acts as the part-time Director of Operations (Maternity cover) for Inside Pictures, an intensive film business training and leadership skills development programme presented by the National Film & Television School, UK.
Beatrice had a successful over a decade-spanning career in film acquisitions for The Works and Content Media, working on films like FISHTANK, THE COVE and I AM LOVE, before becoming an independent international film consultant in January 2015. Her clients since then include amongst others Edinburgh International Film Festival, IFFR Cinemart, Creative England, Film London, FFilm Cymru and filmmakers.
Beatrice’s freelance work involves consulting directly with filmmakers developing marketing and distribution strategies in the early stages of the project development including story and script consultancy and has run direct distribution campaigns in the UK.
She teaches at Sheffield Hallam University as an Associate Lecturer and speaks regularly on international panels and advises and participates as a trainer on international training programmes including NFTS, Metro Film School, ACE, EAVE and Cinemart Rotterdam.
Other projects include Distribution Rewired, a 2-day event on emerging distribution models and methods in collaboration with the Edinburgh International Film Festival.
W: www.beafilm.com
E: [email protected]
T: +44 7906 130 394
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3005506/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Mike Baard
Mike is the Managing Director of Universal Pictures Australasia, a position he held since 2006. During this time Mike has overseen the release of more than 130 films in the ANZ market which have generated over US$1 Billion including some of the highest grossing films in recent years such as Despicable Me 2, Ted, Mamma Mia, Bridesmaids, Les Miserables and Fast and Furious 6.
He works closely with Universal’s Home Entertainment and Television Distribution operations in Australia and New Zealand and supervises Universal’s distribution arrangement with Paramount Pictures in New Zealand. Mike has established first-look partnerships in the film production sector with Hopscotch Productions and Screen Corporation. Universal has been responsible for the ANZ distribution of PJ Hogan’s Mental and the upcoming The Dressmaker which will star Kate Winslet and Judy Davis for Producer Sue Maslin. Universal has a number of other projects in active development in the Australasian market.
Mike serves as Chairman of Matchbox Pictures, is on the Board of the AFI / AACTA and is a former Chairman of the Motion Picture Distributor’s Association of Australia.
Mike has previously also served on the Board of Nu Metro Entertainment, Africa’s largest integrated entertainment company with interests in Exhibition, Film Distribution, Consumer Products & Licensing and Pay Television.
Jonathan Page
Jonathan Page has worked in a range of capacities in film, television and live theatre for 20 years. In 2010 Jonathan established Bonsai Films to work with distributors, sales agents and producers providing practical and viable solutions to exploit rights, develop projects and fund films. He has licensed over $25 million worth of content to Australian broadcasters, airlines and online platforms and has theatrical released over 30 feature films.
Jonathan has Executive Produced a number of Australian features including Mary and Max and The Babadook and upcoming projects Animals and Book Week.
Hilary Davis
Hilary Davis is the co-founder of Bankside Films, and until recently was the co-managing director. At the end of 2017 Hilary Davis stepped down after 11 years at the company and is currently taking a “break” after 35 years in the business.
During her tenure at the growing international sales outfit, Davis served as executive producer for the company on titles including Amma Asante’s BIFA-winner Belle, Julianne Moore-Ellen Page starrer Freeheld, John Michael McDonagh’s War On Everyone and Claire Danes drama A Kid Like Jake. She was an associate producer on Martin Freeman zombie movie Cargo, which was sold to Netflix.
Davis started her career at Warner Bros. During her tenure at HandMade she worked on hit films including Mona Lisa, Withnail & I and A Private Function. At Alibi Communications she worked on Steven Shainberg’s Secretary and crime-comedy The Hard Word while at Beyond Films she served as executive producer on films such as Oyster Farm and Scarlett Johansson and Helen Hunt comedy-drama A Good Woman.
She was also a founder board member of Film Export UK, the trade association for sales companies.
Margaret Murphy
Margaret has many years of experience in television production in Australia and the UK, spanning production of documentaries, magazine, arts and entertainment programs. She has worked for public broadcasters and commercial networks.
As Commissioning Editor for SBS from the late nineties, her credits include Food Safari, Nerds FC, RocKwiz, Great Australian Albums and Newstopia and previously for the ABC, the arts magazine series Review, The Home Show and award winning documentary series, Ladies in Lines.
Returning to the freelance world of television production, she Executive Produced the seriesMy Family Feast for SBS and consulted on a number of documentary projects.
When SBS created their subscription television arts channel, STUDIO, for the Foxtel platform, Margaret was engaged as Commissioning Editor for all local production which covered documentary series, Creative Minds, Raising the Curtain, interstitials and coverage of live performances of The Australian Ballet, Helpmann Awards and productions in theSpiegeltent. Several programs were nominated for ASTRA Awards.
In 2014 she returned to SBS free to air to Executive Produce the co-production with DR (Danish TV) and the Sydney Opera House of The Crown Prince Couple’s Awards, and stayed to EP SBS ‘tentpole’ productions such as the Eurovision Song Contest and the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras.
Margaret is, by choice, back in the freelance world.
Matthew Hancock
For more than 15 years Matthew has researched, written and presented on media trends for a range of public and private organisations.
Matthew is currently Manager, Strategy and Business Intelligence at SBS. This role works with the commissioning and acquisition teams to develop investment and editorial strategies, including stock requirements budgeting, audience and revenue forecasting and measuring charter alignment.
Prior to SBS, Matthew worked in policy at Screen Producers Australia where he identified, framed and communicated advocacy objectives on behalf of the independent production sector.
Matthew has also worked for the Federal Government’s support agencies, Screen Australia and the Australian Film Commission, as well as Mediascape Global, a consultancy that measures community perceptions of public policy through the analysis of print and broadcast media.
Stephen Follows
Stephen is an established data researcher in the film industry whose work has been featured in the New York Times, The Times, The Telegraph, The Guardian, The Daily Mail, The Mirror, The Evening Standard, Newsweek, The New Statesman, AV Club and Indiewire.
He acted as an industry consultant and guest on the BBC Radio 4 series The Business of Film, which was topped the iTunes podcast chart, and has consulted for a wide variety of clients, including the Smithsonian in Washington. He has been commissioned to write reports for key film industry bodies and his most recent study, looking at gender inequity in the UK film industry, was launched on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.
In addition, Stephen is a trainer and thought-leader in how storytelling can be used to change hearts and minds. He has created UK-wide campaigns for major charities including Scope and Unicef, his online video work has been seen by over 35 million people and he regularly teaches storytelling to staff at institutions such as the BBC, The National Trust and Amnesty International.
Stephen has taught at major film schools, normal business schools and minor primary schools. His lessons range from established topics such as Producing at MA and BA level, online video and the business of film producing to more adventurous topics such as measuring the unmeasurable, advanced creative thinking and the psychology of film producing. He has taught at the National Film and Television School (NFTS), The Met Film School, Filmbase, and on behalf of the BFI, the BBC and the British Council.
Stephen’s scriptwriting has won Virgin Media Shorts, the Reed Film Competition and IVCA awards; it has been nominated at the British Independent Film Awards, Viral Video Awards, LA Movie Awards and long-listed for a BAFTA. His work has been championed by Mike Newell, James King, Stephen Fry, The Daily Telegraph and Le Monde.
Beatrix Holland
Beatrix is a content strategist who specialises in working with screen projects. With Matt Atkins, she runs Melbourne-based ScreenHerd, a consultancy providing marketing strategy and support, and sales packaging to titles from Australia and New Zealand.
Recent projects include social and influencer strategy and execution for both The Dressmaker, and Dance Academy: The Movie. Away from the screen industry, she has collaborated with brands including Medibank, Australia Post, Telstra, Kmart, Intrepid Travel, and The Good Guys.
Before focusing on marketing, she worked across production, development, and funding for screen organisations including the London Film Festival, MIFF, Film Victoria, and Eyeworks Television.
Previous speaking engagements include General Assembly, the ICAA Conference, Open Channel, and Melbourne Web Festival, as well as guest lectures and presentations at La Trobe University, RMIT, and VCA. She also co-organises ContentMelb, Melbourne’s monthly gathering of content professionals.
Rebecca Hardmann
Rebecca Hardman is a film and television lawyer with over 15 years professional experience in the industry. She is currently the Australian Head of Legal and Business Affairs at See-Saw Films (the production company responsible for Lion, Top of the Lake and The Kings Speech). Prior to taking that position in 2015, she held senior legal and business affairs positions at Flying Bark Productions, Screen Australia and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Rebecca’s professional expertise in the media industry encompasses all elements of the development, financing, production and distribution of feature films, television programs and online content, dealing with both domestic and international participants. Rebecca holds Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the University of NSW.
Elizabeth Trotman
With over twenty five year’s experience in the global entertainment industry, Elizabeth Trotman has worked for The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros., BBC Worldwide and Hoyts Distribution on countless projects including The Lion King, Toy Story, The Exorcist, The Matrix and Slumdog Millionaire.
Elizabeth Trotman is also an experienced Chief Executive Officer skilled in Marketing Management, Digital Strategy, Retail, Event Management, and Management. Strong business development professional with a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.), Bachelor of Arts (B.A) focused in Marketing and International Business from University of Auckland.
Rob Gibson
Rob Gibson is head of Originals Development for Stan, where he is working on the development and production of original programs for the platform. Stan’s current slate includes the comedy series NO ACTIVITY, produced by Jungleboys, which will be released in late 2015, and WOLF CREEK, a long form TV drama adaptation of the Greg McLean movies, which is in development with Screentime and McLean.
Prior to working at Stan, Rob worked as a producer in LA with production company Circle of Confusion (STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON, THE WALKING DEAD) and as an independent producer in Australia. Previously, he was a media and entertainment lawyer, working for Allens Linklaters, Foxtel, Festival Records and Fairfax Media.
Rachel Okine
Rachel Okine joined London-based STX International in late 2017 to head acquisitions for their UK theatrical distribution and international sales operations. Prior to that, she was the Paris-based Vice President of International Production and Acquisitions for French-owned studio/distributor Studiocanal, where she acquired titles for the French, German and ANZ territories, as well as overseeing all multi-territory deals and coordinating the international production operations.
Rachel began her career in the acquisitions department of FilmFour in London in 2001. Returning to Australia in 2002, Rachel was a founding staff member of leading independent film distribution company, Hopscotch, working across the publicity and marketing campaigns of the slate, and advising on all international and local acquisitions. When Hopscotch expanded into production, she managed that department, producing a number of multiplatform projects, lifestyle television and short form content, and later heading all feature film development. After the sale of Hopscotch of Canadian conglomerate eOne in 2011, these acquisitions activities expanded to form part of the multinational strategy.
Sue Maslin
Sue Maslin is one of Australia’s most successful film, television and digital content producers with a track record of producing award winning feature and documentary films. Her most recent is the smash hit The Dressmaker became one of Australia’s all time highest grossing films taking out the AIMC Box Office Achievement Award for the Highest Grossing Australian Film 2015/16. The film garnered the highest number of nominations at the 2015 Australian Academy Awards, winning five including the coveted People’s Choice Award for Favorite Australian Film.
Sue is committed to engaging and empowering audiences with ideas that matter. Her innovative company, Film Art Media established in 2008 with Daryl Dellora, produces and distributes screen content across many platforms with a focus on blue chip documentaries including Harry Seidler Modernist; Michael Kirby – Don’t Forget The Justice Bit; The Edge of The Possible: Jorn Utzon and the Sydney Opera House, winner of the Golden Plaque at the Chicago International Television Competition. Her most recent documentary Jill Bilcock- The Art of Editing received the award for Best Documentary Biography at the 2017 Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM) Awards as well as the Greater union Audience Award for Best Documentary at the 2016 Adelaide Film Festival.
Feature credits include Road To Nhill, winner of 2003 Best Feature Film at Thessaloniki International Film Festival; Japanese Story, winner of 2003 AFI Award for Best Feature Film and Hunt Angels, winner of the 2006 AFI Award for Best Feature Documentary Film.
Sue’s outstanding 35-year contribution to the Australian screen industry has been recognised in numerous ways. In 2017, she was awarded the RMIT University Medal for her services as Adjunct Professor of the School of Media & Communication, 2012 she received the inaugural Jill Robb Award for Outstanding Leadership, Achievement and Service to the Victorian Screen Industry. Reflecting her commitment to advocacy for women, Sue was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2018. She is currently Patron of Women In Film and Television and the President of the Natalie Miller Fellowship, an organisation dedicated to inspiring leadership and increasing the participation of women in the screen industry.
Jocelyn Moorhouse
Jocelyn Moorhouse is an acclaimed Australian writer and film director. She has written and directed Proof (1991) and the smash hit The Dressmaker (2015), directed A Thousand Acres (1997) and How to Make an American Quilt (1995), and written Unconditional Love (2002).
Jocelyn has also produced Mental (2012) and the iconic Muriel’s Wedding (1994) in a collaborative partnership with husband and writer / director P. J. Hogan.
Andrew Dillon
Andrew Dillon is an Indigenous Director-Producer with over 20 years’ experience in studio-drama television production, marketing and distribution, his credits include Home & Away, Battlestar Galactica, Outliers, Danger Mouse and Heartbreak High. He joined Screen Australia in 2014 as a Development and Investment Executive with a commitment to the recognition and career development of talented Indigenous writers, directors and producers, with the end goal of supporting Indigenous stories that make a significant contribution to the screen culture.
In 2017, Andrew joined Screen Australia’s Production and Investment team and over the four years since joining the Agency he has supported numerous Documentaries, Drama Series, Children’s Series and Feature Films including Redfern Now, 8MMM, Goldstone, SPEAR, Servant or Slave, Black Comedy, Little J & Big Cuz, The Warriors, Blue Water Empire, Hearts and Bones, Spongo, Fuzz and Jalapena, Shadow Trackers, Grace Beside Me, the upcoming Mystery Road drama series and the critically acclaimed Sweet County.