with Abi Tabone and Monthly Guests
Masterclass
5:30pm – 6:30pm
11th December 2025
Returning in 2026
In this series of monthly masterclasses, interviewer Abi Tabone will introduce you to leaders from across the creative sector. You’ll hear what they love about their work, what they would do differently if they were starting out again, who they admire in their field (and why), and what big changes they would like to see in their field. Abi will also explore their thinking about current issues, the challenges they see, and the opportunities. Join in and ask your own questions from the floor!
Guests
Kate Armstrong-Smith
Kate Armstrong-Smith is Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Othelia, and dedicated to creating tools that story creators love to use.
Prior to Othelia, Kate was an award-winning creative producer/dramaturg with two decades of experience in cultural strategy and media asset management. Her career spans film, television, theatre and digital media, during which she has pioneered new formats of content storytelling working with international institutions, including the Sydney Festival, National Opera de France, Adelaide Arts Festival, TEDxSydney, Sydney Opera House and the ABC. Her audience development programs won the Ruby Award and earned her a Churchill Fellowship from The Winston Churchill Trust, which led her to devise cultural programs with National Theatre of Britain, Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Gare des Mines Paris, St. Ann’s Warehouse and LACMA.
Kate holds an MBA in Screen Business from the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (MSAB-AFTRS), where she developed her thesis on the importance and valuation of cultural IP.
Nick Bolton
Nick is a regional filmmaker based on the South Coast of NSW.
Nick completed his Masters in Screen Arts and Business at AFTRS, and with Jess Milne, created the production company TEN ALPHAS, creating factual, branded and documentary content for the commercial sector, expanding into TEN ALPHAS FILMS for creating original content in drama.
He produced Mate (2023) which was the first Australian film to win Clermont Ferrand and was longlisted for the Oscars, and was Executive Producer on Finding Addison that won Best Short Film at the 2024 AACTA’s
He has been recognised onto the Screen Practitioner program by Screen NSW and SPA, and was nominated for Best Producer of the Year Short Film at the 2023 SPA Awards.
As the Chair of Screen Illawarra, Nick is passionate about growing the screen community in a regional area, and was recognised in the City of Wollongong Awards 2024 for services to Arts and Culture.
Nick is also very proud to teach at AFTRS and Sydney Film School.
Nick was appointed a Creative Industries Business Advisor by NSW Government, for their Business Connect programme, via the social enterprise Creative Plus Business.
Rosie Hole
Rosie is screen executive based in Wellington / Te Whanganui a Tara. As the Commercial & Business Affairs Manager for Hinterland, Rosie helps to provide bespoke financing solutions for NZ and Australian producers, and facilitates cashflow lending for screen productions.
Prior to joining Hinterland, Rosie was an Investment Executive at the New Zealand Film Commission, assessing production funding applications. Rosie spent almost a decade before that working in London as part of the Universal Pictures Content Group, where she acquired feature films, documentaries and other content for global distribution across all platforms. At Universal, Rosie negotiated distribution deals for The Pod Generation (Sundance Film Festival) and The Inventor (Annecy International Animation Festival) as well as overseeing Australian productions including The Angels: Kickin’ Down the Door (Adelaide Film Festival).
Nathan Anderson
Nathan Anderson is a distinguished immersive media executive and entrepreneur based in Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia. With a career spanning over two decades, Nathan has become a prominent figure in the field of digital development and transmedia content creation. He began his career in the film and television industry in the 1990s and seamlessly transitioned into the digital realm during the dotcom bubble era.
Nathan currently holds the role of CEO and Executive Producer at New Canvas, an immersive media studio he founded in November 2020. At New Canvas, he is responsible for overseeing executive functions, development, production, and the self-publishing of projects across various XR platforms. His recent projects include the award-winning Lustration which premiered at SXSW 2022 and was selected at Venice Film Festival in the ‘Best of 2022’ category. In the last 24 months, he has worked with multiple external games studios including, Toast Interactive, as an Executive Producer developing the award winning VR title, Max Mustard and Halfbrick on their top selling VR title, Thrill of the Fight 2.
Over his career, Nathan has worked with a host of prestigious brands and companies such as Foxtel, Disney, Viacom, ABC, BBC, and NBCUniversal, crafting digital projects that span all known platforms. He is a member of the Producers Guild of America and has served as an elected councillor with Screen Producers Australia. Nathan is also a regular speaker at industry conferences worldwide, sharing his insights and experiences to foster the growth of immersive media.
Nathan holds a Master of Arts in Multiplatform Media and Narrative Structures from the Australian Film Television and Radio School. He also has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Canberra.
Nathan’s career is marked by a quest to evolve screen-based entertainment by blending interactive mechanics with emotionally resonant narrative experiences, making him a visionary leader in the field of immersive media.
Bridget Callow
Bridget is a distinguished screen producer with extensive expertise in scripted narrative film and television. Known for her deep understanding of the global content marketplace and a versatile creative skillset, she currently works full-time at Jungle Entertainment. Here she plays a pivotal role in overseeing the development and production of a diverse range of scripted drama, comedy series, and feature films.
Bridget is currently executive producing Sunny Nights, an 8-part drama series for Stan and Cineflix International, co-produced in collaboration with Echo Lake Entertainment (The Great). The series led by Trent O’Donnell (Hacks, Ghosts) as showrunner and director, stars Will Forte (Bodkin, Last Man on Earth) and D’Arcy Carden (The Good Place). Additionally, Bridget is executive producing He Had It Coming, an 8-part comedy series for Stan and The Fifth Season, with Gretel Vella (The Great) as showrunner. Directed by Rachel House (The Mountain) and Anne Renton (The Good Doctor, The Bold Type), the series features a talented cast including Lydia West (Big Mood), Liv Hewson (Yellowjackets), and Natasha Liu Bordizzo (Ahsoka). Both series are currently in post-production and scheduled for release in late 2025.
In 2024, Bridget produced Population: 11, a 12-part comedy series for Stan and Lionsgate, starring Ben Feldman (Superstore, Mad Men). The series, with Phil Lloyd (The Moodys) as showrunner, garnered widespread critical acclaim, winning Best Comedy at both the AWG and ADG Awards, and receiving nominations for the Rose d’Or, two Logies (Best Comedy Series, Best Actor in a Comedy Series), and the recently announced Best Comedy Programme at the Australian Screen Producers Awards. The series charted as the number one Stan originals for 2024. Other recent credits include No Activity: The Night Before Christmas for Stan and BBC Studios, and Big Deal for ABC and Madman Entertainment.
Before her tenure at Jungle Entertainment, under her own company banner, Bridget independently produced three award-winning feature films, which all launched at top tier international festivals, and sold around the world, showcasing her commitment to exceptional storytelling across diverse formats and genres.
Victoria Dabbs
Victoria Dabbs is a producer at one of New Zealand’s leading production companies FIREFLY FILMS, who are currently in Post-Production on Nathalie Boltt’s debut feature HOLY DAYS starring Miriam Margolyes, Judy Davis and Jacki Weaver. She is also mid-edit on the documentary, LOMU about All black superstar Jonah Lomu. Her producer credits also include BOOKWORM, starring Elijah Wood and Michael Smiley. She has commenced packaging with the Firefly team on Franch co-production, WOMEN AT THE END OF THE EARTH, Australian co-production SPINNERS, written by Oscar nominated Anthony McCarten, and the NZ/UK war film UPHAM. Victoria is currently in advanced development on NZ/Scottish co-production television series, NOCTURNAL and early development on NZ/Canada/UK co production limited series, MISS BENSON’S BEETLE.
Victoria is an international Producer, Line Producer and Production Accountant who has worked on films and television series in Europe, Asia and Australasia. Projects include; Dexter Fletcher’s SUNSHINE ON LEITH, Terence Davies’ SUNSET SONG, OUR LADIES, VALHALLA RISING, NED’S, the BBC’s ABC MURDERS, THE SINGAPORE GRIP, GIRL,
Australian/Scottish co-production FALLING FOR FIGARO, UK TV series ANNIKA.
Marian Macgowan
Marian Macgowan is a producer with a global imprint, working across film, documentary and television mediums. As principal of the independent Australian production company Macgowan Films, her company develops, finances and produces feature films, television, and documentaries. In 2023 she delivered Season 3 of the critically acclaimed, Emmy nominee and Golden Globe nominee for Best Television Series – Musical Or Comedy. THE GREAT, written by Oscar nominee Tony McNamara (The Favourite, Poor Things).
She is currently releasing the debut feature INSIDE in Australia for writer/director Charles Williams: Palme d’Or winner for his short film All These Creatures, whilst developing a television series with Tony McNamara and one with Andrew Bovell. INSIDE will release in the US and UK from mid 2025.
Marian Macgowan has produced or executive-produced international films such as LILIAN’S STORY, with Toni Collette; Gregor Jordan’s TWO HANDS, with Rose Byrne, Bryan Brown, and Heath Ledger; Tony McNamara’s THE RAGE IN PLACID LAKE, starring Rose Byrne, Ben Lee, and Miranda Richardson; SOUTH SOLITARY, directed by Shirley Barrett, with Miranda Otto and her father Barry Otto; and the documentaries BOXING FOR PALM ISLAND directed by Adrian Russell Wills, and WOMEN HE’S UNDRESSED, directed by Gillian Armstrong. The latter is about legendary Oscar-winning costume designer Orry-Kelly.
Among the other films from her production company have been DEATH DEFYING ACTS, an Australian/UK co-production directed by Gillian Armstrong, and starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Saoirse Ronan as mother and daughter; and Ana Kokkinos’ BLESSED, with Miranda Otto and Frances O’ Connor.
Marian’s additional work includes publishing the Australian film/TV industry bible The Production Book and serving as Head of
Producing at the Australian Film and Television School where she has also worked as a consultant.
Lisa Hoppe
Lisa is one of the passionate producers at Midwinter Films – currently working on a live-action family feature and a rom-com. Lisa wrote and produced H is for Happiness which received the 2020 Generation KPlus Jury’s ‘Special Mention’ prize at Berlinale, 10 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) nominations, an Australian Writer’s Guild AWGIE nomination and which was shortlisted for the 2020 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards. H is for Happiness won Best Film at CinefestOz in 2019, and a host of awards and nominations at international festivals.
Lisa has a Graduate Diploma in Producing and a Masters in Screen Arts from AFTRS where she produced several short films that screened around the world including Godel, Incomplete (starring Elizabeth Debicki), and the AWGIE Award winning Heck. She has extensive experience as writer, script editor and script producer on Australian TV series across a range of genres and formats including the original Heartbreak High, All Saints, White Collar Blue, Hi 5, The Deep and Guess How Much I Love You.
Jude McLaren
Jude McLaren is the former Talent Pathways Manager at Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga the New Zealand Film Commission, bringing 15 years of experience in screen industry development, production, and post-production. With bachelor’s degrees in Theatre, Film, and Television Production, she advanced her skills in story development through extensive training and has studied career development.
Jude has a rich background in organizing and budgeting story labs, mentoring programs, and coaching filmmakers in career progression. An NLP Master Practitioner and coach passionate about human development, Agile methodology, Design Thinking, and Innovation, Jude is also an experienced presenter and facilitator.
Kristen Hodges
Kristen is a Senior Creative Leader, Producer, and Executive Producer. with 15 years of experience across the Australian and US markets. Her expertise spans feature films, drama & factual series – for theatrical, broadcasters, and streamers. She has a proven track record of identifying potential in nascent ideas and talent, and delivering a broad range of commercially successful content that resonates with audiences.
As an experienced producer and executive, Kristen has led teams of all sizes and managed budgets ranging from micro to multi-million-dollar projects; and has worked extensively across different aspects of the sector including studios & buyers, production, and screen agencies- complemented by expertise in marketing, financial reporting, and data intelligence.
Kirsty Stark
Kirsty is an Emmy Award-winning TV Producer, Speaker and Coach who has worked on the Emmy Award-winning series First Day, and ABC iview’s first ever drama commission, Wastelander Panda. Kirsty’s other projects include Matchbox Pictures and Dirty Films Netflix series Stateless, and with Madman Production Company on A Month of Sundays.
Kirsty has combined her producing and camera department background with her business leadership and coaching experience to create CrewHQ. Launched in 2023, CrewHQ is a one stop shop for film and TV freelancers across Australia, connecting them with jobs and support across their careers.
Tania Chambers
Producer and Executive Producer, Tania is currently producing the television series Invisible Boys as a Stan Original series, distributed worldwide by Banijay Rights. Tania most recently produced the feature film How to Please a Woman directed by ReneÌe Webster, which was released worldwide in 2022. Tania also produced the first series of action-adventure children’s series Itch for ABC Australia, the comedy feature A Few Less Men directed by Mark Lamprell and the comedic thriller Kill Me Three Times directed by Kriv Stenders, along with the award-winning documentary Making Waves and short films. Tania founded Feisty Dame Productions in 2012.
Tania is a current Board Member of Screen Australia and was formerly Chief Executive of Screen NSW and Screenwest, and a Member of the Gender Matters Taskforce. Tania received the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to the Arts and to Film and Television in 2016 and an Honorary Doctorate of Performing Arts from ECU in 2022.
Julie Eckersley
Julie’s career in the film and television industry spans 20 years to date. She started her career as an actor and writer, then undertook further tertiary screen studies before moving into producing. As a
writer and performer she co-wrote and developed work for the stage, touring nationally and internationally, with a speciality in Shakespeare.
Having completed her Masters in Communications (Swinburne University) and a Graduate Diploma in Producing (AFTRS) she joined Matchbox Pictures (NBCU) in 2011, producing award winning content that has sold around the world.
In 2021 she joined SBS team as Head of Scripted. She successfully built and implemented a strategy to re-invogorate SBS drama.
Julie has built a career as a specialist in creating world class content and pioneering the next wave of creativity. She is passionate about creative excellence, strategic vision and inspiring leadership that empowers others to flourish.
Tony Briggs
Tony is a Yorta Yorta/Wurundjeri (Woiwurrung) theatre, TV and film practitioner (Actor, Writer, Director and Producer) and the creator & writer of hit feature film The Sapphires which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2012. He received two AWGIE awards and the film won 11 of 12 categories at AACTA 2013. He wrote The Sapphires Play, which had sell-out seasons at the MTC and Belvoir, winning two Helpmann Awards. Tony is co-originator, executive producer and writer of the eight part TV series The Warriors. Tony directed the short film Elders premiering at Berlin Film Festival, imagineNATIVE, Sydney Film Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival and many other film festivals nationally and globally. As an actor of over 20 years he holds many credits to his name including feature roles in Force of Nature: The Dry 2 (2024), Population 11 (2024), The Newsreader (2023), The Twelve (2021), Cleverman (2015), Redfern Now (2012) and The Slap (2010). Tony is the Artistic Director of Birrarangga Film Festival, showcasing Indigenous Films from across the globe to Melbourne Audiences biennially across Narrm.
Movies, Madman and Cinema’s Future with Paul Wiegard
Paul Wiegard is the co-founder and CEO of leading independent distribution and rights management company Madman Entertainment. Films distributed by Madman include over 100 Academy Award nominees and winners and over 20 AACTA nominees.
Paul has executive produced 40+ feature and documentary films and established streaming VOD platform DocPlay, dedicated to documentary. Currently Paul is President of the Australian Independent Distributors Association (AIDA), a Board Member of Screenrights and Australian Centre of The Moving Image (ACMI), and Co-Chair of Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC).
Leadership in TV from A to NZ with Rachel Antony
CEO of Greenstone TV, Rachel Antony has produced hundreds of hours of content in both NZ and Australia. She was one of the group facilitating the creation of NZ’s 2030 Screen Sector Strategy; is an active member of WIFT and SPADA; a member of the NZ Institute of Directors; and on the Board of theatre company Nightsong.
‘Lights…Camera…AI’: The intersection of art and technology in the TV and film industry with Steve Langdon
Steve Langdon is a Media and Entertainment Industry Specialist (Amazon, Comcast, Foxtel) navigating the ongoing collision between Art and Technology.
Come along on Tuesday the 7th of May to ask some questions of your own!
Further guests to be announced.