Screen Illawarra media release: 24 February 2023
Following the AGM on 13th of February, Screen Illawarra announces the appointment of Nick Bolton as the new Chair, replacing Sandra Pires. This marks the beginning of a new chapter under Bolton's leadership. Bolton, an experienced film and content producer, actor, and business manager, co-founded the content production company Ten Alphas and has served on the board of Screen Illawarra for three years.
Along with Bolton's appointment, Essi Haukkamaa-Judge has been appointed as Vice Chair, succeeding Anousha Zarkesh. The newly elected leadership group includes Treasurer Gia Frino and Secretary Sarina Crocco, as well as general members Aaron Burton, Sharon Lewis, Brittany Louise Pike, Ann Megalla, and Sue Turnbull.
Settling into the role, Nick Bolton said he is “energised” about the potential of this new chapter for Screen Illawarra.
“I acknowledge the great work of outgoing Chair Sandra Pires and Vice Chair Anousha Zarkesh. Sandra and Anousha founded Screen Illawarra and built it into the vibrant community it is today with over 380 local members across all screen disciplines,” he said.
Vice Chair, Essi Haukkamaa-Judge, is a Finnish-Australian film and TV producer who founded Greenlit Productions, is also a Senior Lecturer of Producing at the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS).
“Screen Illawarra is thrilled to have Nick Bolton as the new Chair,” she said.
“I am excited to work with Nick and the leadership team, along with current and future members of Screen Illawarra, to make the region an even stronger stakeholder in the Australian screen industry. Screen Illawarra is an exceptional collaborator for any business seeking to produce
their content in the region, given the vast industry knowledge and craft skills possessed by our members.”
Screen Illawarra is a non-profit organization that works closely with local government, businesses, and industry professionals to develop the screen industry in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. Significant partners include Create NSW, Destination Wollongong, Wollongong City Council, and the University of Wollongong, with a mission build a vibrant, sustainable, and diverse screen industry in the Illawarra.
Speaking about the strong vision for opportunities to move Screen Illawarra forward into a new era, Bolton says, “The Australian Government's new Revive National Cultural Policy for the arts puts us in an excellent position to grow the local screen sector.”
"Our upcoming feasibility study, researched and developed by Kingston Anderson, sets a benchmark for the region and will aid in developing new initiatives. Also, our familiarisation tour with Destination Wollongong and the four Illawarra councils, Wollongong, Shoalhaven, Shellharbour and Kiama, demonstrates a real collaborative effort in already attracting screen production to our beautiful region.”
Screen Illawarra is running a networking event on March 14 in Wollongong. Members and non-members are most welcome from all disciplines of the screen community. See website and socials for more information.
