web
You’re offline. This is a read only version of the page.
close
Skip to Content

Meet The Team

Meet The Team

We represent the interests of independent screen producers and businesses in Australia.

SPA’s mission is to foster a thriving environment that supports independent film, television, animation, and digital production. Leveraging our expertise and resources, we strive to establish a robust and sustainable position for practitioners within the industry.

As a trusted voice within the sector, we proactively address our members' needs and concerns, providing support and shaping the independent production landscape to align with global counterparts.

By cultivating relationships with key stakeholders and fostering collaboration and unity amongst members, we empower a dynamic industry that fosters creativity, cultural enrichment, and commercial success within Australia and overseas.

As an organisation, we are committed to advocating for and safeguarding the unique needs of our sector.

Who We Are

Learn more about the Screen Producers Australia team. Click headshots to see bios.

Picture of Matthew Deaner
Matthew Deaner Chief Executive Officer

Matthew Deaner is our Chief Executive Officer. Matthew sits across all aspects of Screen Producers Australia's advocacy work, industrial negotiations, events and operational issues. He also works closely with our Council to set the strategic direction of the organisation as well as identify and execute new business development opportunities.

Picture of James Malcom
James Malcom Chief Financial Officer

James is our CFO and responsible for planning, governance activity and the organisation's finance function.

Picture of Zoe Angus
Zoe Angus Director of Industrial and Commercial

Zoe Angus is the Director of Industrial and Commercial at Screen Producers Australia. Prior to this, she was the National Director of Actors Equity at the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance. She graduated with honours in politics from the University of Queensland in 1989 and holds a Master of Industrial Relations and a Juris Doctor of Law from Melbourne University. Zoe has extensive experience in and knowledge of employment law and the Australian screen industry.

Picture of Samantha Gill
Samantha Gill Director Marketing Events and Partnerships

Sam is our Partnerships Manager. She oversees relationships with SPA's corporate and government partners and our SCREEN FOREVER sponsors.

Picture of Jane Mulligan
Jane Mulligan Director of Policy

Jane has previously worked at senior levels of government for Ministers and Shadow Ministers as well as a Senior Government Lawyer in the Department of Education and in other government agencies across a range of policy areas, including communications matters.

Picture of Andy Barclay
Andy Barclay Director of Industry Growth

Andy Barclay is the Manager of Business and Legal Affairs at Screen Producer Australia, where he provides advice to members on commercial and production matters. Prior to joining SPA, he practised as an entertainment lawyer, at Cole Media & Entertainment Law, specialising in film and television production. While at CME Law, Andy worked closely with his clients across all stages of production, from development to completion, and legal delivery of the finished projects. His production legal credits include BOSCH & ROCKIT, GOLD, and THE TOURIST.

Picture of Brad Taylor
Brad Taylor Membership Manager

Brad Taylor is our Membership, Licensing & Diversity Manager and is responsible for managing membership and stakeholder relations. Brad is the primary contact for enquires regarding membership and levies.

Picture of Jessica Giacco
Jessica Giacco Industry Programs Manager

Jessica's role as Industry Programs Manager includes program curation for SCREEN FOREVER, leading conference and SPA Connect Market strategy, as well as spearheading SPA initiatives such as GENR8, Ones To Watch, Pitch On Demand and building future initiatives and opportunities within Screen Producers Australia both domestically and globally.

Picture of Aidan McLaughlin
Aidan McLaughlin Communications and Marketing Manager

Aidan oversees SPA's marketing, communications and public relations for our corporate activity and the annual SCREEN FOREVER conference and SPA Awards.

Picture of Bee Yurdakul
Bee Yurdakul Event Producer

Bee oversees event production, leading design and planning, production and delivery of all physical, digital and hybrid industry events.

Picture of Chrysa Christopher
Chrysa Christopher Partnerships and Events Specialist

Chrysa is a Partnerships and Events Coordinator at Screen Producers Australia, supporting corporate and government partnerships and managing sponsor relationships for SCREEN FOREVER.

Picture of Michelle Hardy
Michelle Hardy Industry Programming

Michelle is responsible for programming SPA's busy industry events calendar, including the SPA Connect market at SCREEN FOREVER.

Picture of Sharmini Caldwell
Sharmini Caldwell Executive Assistant to CEO & Office Manager

Sharmini is our Office Manager and Executive Assistant and provides extensive support to the SPA team.

Picture of Terry Liddicoat
Terry Liddicoat Senior Accountant

Terry is our Senior Accountant and is responsible for general accounting, financial reporting and compliance for Screen Producers Australia.

Picture of Renée Richardson
Renée Richardson Senior Finance & Operations Manager

Renée is our Finance and Project Manager. She is responsible for the day-to-day finance function as well as project management of SPA’s events and initiatives. Renee is an associate member of the Institute of Financial Accountants.