David Lightfoot, the Australian producer behind Wolf Creek, Rogue and more, died in an Adelaide hospital on Sunday, after suffering a heart attack. He was 61.
News of his passing was confirmed via the official Facebook page for Ultrafilms, the production company he founded in 1997.
“It is with deep sadness that Ultrafilms announces the death of founder David Lightfoot,” read their statement. “David Lightfoot was one of the most experienced and widely regarded production executives in the country…David dedicated his life to the film industry, and was passionate about Australian film and telling Australian stories.”
“David…was a close friend of mine for 20 years and a generous mentor,” Lightfoot’s business partner and co-producer, Sabella Sugar, told Deadline. “He gave so much and he touched so many lives.”
Lightfoot embarked on his career in film in 1982, joining the South Australian Film Corporation after playing cricket for South Australia and spending...
News of his passing was confirmed via the official Facebook page for Ultrafilms, the production company he founded in 1997.
“It is with deep sadness that Ultrafilms announces the death of founder David Lightfoot,” read their statement. “David Lightfoot was one of the most experienced and widely regarded production executives in the country…David dedicated his life to the film industry, and was passionate about Australian film and telling Australian stories.”
“David…was a close friend of mine for 20 years and a generous mentor,” Lightfoot’s business partner and co-producer, Sabella Sugar, told Deadline. “He gave so much and he touched so many lives.”
Lightfoot embarked on his career in film in 1982, joining the South Australian Film Corporation after playing cricket for South Australia and spending...
- 6/16/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Willie Rowe has announced his resignation as CEO of Screenwest, due to depart next July next year or whenever a suitable replacement is found.
Rowe initially came on as Screenwest CEO in an interim capacity following the abrupt departure of Seph McKenna in September 2018, before being officially appointed for a three year term.
He was a fit for the role having previously been Screenwest chair. Rowe had also held positions such as interim CEO of the Wa Aids Council, chief of staff to Wa Premier Colin Barnett, a director of consulting group Gryphon Management Australia and director of policy for Wa Premier Richard Court.
As CEO, Rowe helped lead Screenwest as it transitioned from a state screen agency to an independent non-profit, and as Wa saw a production upswing with projects such as Mystery Road, Itch, Dirt Music, Rams, Upright and H is for Happiness.
Furhter, Rowe helped to secure...
Rowe initially came on as Screenwest CEO in an interim capacity following the abrupt departure of Seph McKenna in September 2018, before being officially appointed for a three year term.
He was a fit for the role having previously been Screenwest chair. Rowe had also held positions such as interim CEO of the Wa Aids Council, chief of staff to Wa Premier Colin Barnett, a director of consulting group Gryphon Management Australia and director of policy for Wa Premier Richard Court.
As CEO, Rowe helped lead Screenwest as it transitioned from a state screen agency to an independent non-profit, and as Wa saw a production upswing with projects such as Mystery Road, Itch, Dirt Music, Rams, Upright and H is for Happiness.
Furhter, Rowe helped to secure...
- 12/1/2020
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
(L-r): Screenwest CEO Willie Rowe, new board chair John Driscoll and retiring board chair Janelle Marr.
Former CEO of Seven West Media Wa and ex-chairman of marketing agency Marketforce John Driscoll has been appointed chair of Screenwest, succeeding Janelle Marr.
Driscoll is a founding director of marketing company Longreach Consulting, a Council Member of Rac (Wa) and deputy chairman of disability charity Rebound Wa.
He joins the Screenwest board after a period of change for the organisation, including the shift from a government agency to an independent non-profit in 2017. There has also been several shifts in leadership. In December last year, Peter ‘Willie’ Rowe was officially appointed CEO, having acted in the role since the abrupt departure of Seph McKenna in September – McKenna was just nine months into a five year-term.
Marr, who has been a director of Screenwest since 2013 and chair since 2015, retires next month having served the...
Former CEO of Seven West Media Wa and ex-chairman of marketing agency Marketforce John Driscoll has been appointed chair of Screenwest, succeeding Janelle Marr.
Driscoll is a founding director of marketing company Longreach Consulting, a Council Member of Rac (Wa) and deputy chairman of disability charity Rebound Wa.
He joins the Screenwest board after a period of change for the organisation, including the shift from a government agency to an independent non-profit in 2017. There has also been several shifts in leadership. In December last year, Peter ‘Willie’ Rowe was officially appointed CEO, having acted in the role since the abrupt departure of Seph McKenna in September – McKenna was just nine months into a five year-term.
Marr, who has been a director of Screenwest since 2013 and chair since 2015, retires next month having served the...
- 2/8/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Peter ‘Willie’ Rowe.
Peter ‘Willie’ Rowe, who has been acting CEO of Screenwest for the past three months, will lead the agency for the next three years.
Rowe, a former chair of Screenwest, took over following the abrupt departure in September of CEO Seph McKenna, who was nine months into a five-year term.
His CV includes interim CEO of the Wa Aids Council, chief of staff to Wa Premier Colin Barnett, a director of consulting group Gryphon Management Australia and director of policy for Wa Premier Richard Court.
Announcing the appointment, board chair Janelle Marr said: “After a very comprehensive recruitment process, the Screenwest board is pleased to secure Mr Rowe. He has extensive knowledge, management and leadership experience gained from his senior roles with government and within the corporate, not-for-profit and arts sectors.
“The board is confident Mr Rowe’s appointment will further strengthen the great Screenwest team and...
Peter ‘Willie’ Rowe, who has been acting CEO of Screenwest for the past three months, will lead the agency for the next three years.
Rowe, a former chair of Screenwest, took over following the abrupt departure in September of CEO Seph McKenna, who was nine months into a five-year term.
His CV includes interim CEO of the Wa Aids Council, chief of staff to Wa Premier Colin Barnett, a director of consulting group Gryphon Management Australia and director of policy for Wa Premier Richard Court.
Announcing the appointment, board chair Janelle Marr said: “After a very comprehensive recruitment process, the Screenwest board is pleased to secure Mr Rowe. He has extensive knowledge, management and leadership experience gained from his senior roles with government and within the corporate, not-for-profit and arts sectors.
“The board is confident Mr Rowe’s appointment will further strengthen the great Screenwest team and...
- 12/17/2018
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Seph McKenna.
Screenwest CEO Seph McKenna has departed the organisation just nine months into his five year term.
The reasons for McKenna’s departure are currently unclear, with Screenwest’s press statement simply saying: “Screenwest and Mr Seph McKenna have parted ways, effective immediately”.
Chair Janelle Marr said: “The board thanks Mr McKenna for his contribution to Screenwest during his time with the organisation, and wish him well for his next endeavours.”
The Screenwest board is commencing an immediate recruitment search to replace McKenna, with former board chair Peter Rowe to provide interim support. The organisation has advised that all funding rounds will continue as scheduled.
McKenna joined Screenwest in December last year from Roadshow, where he was the head of Australian production.
In July 2017, Screenwest transitioned from a government agency into an independent non-profit organisation, though continues receive funds from the Western Australian government and Lotterywest. Earlier this year,...
Screenwest CEO Seph McKenna has departed the organisation just nine months into his five year term.
The reasons for McKenna’s departure are currently unclear, with Screenwest’s press statement simply saying: “Screenwest and Mr Seph McKenna have parted ways, effective immediately”.
Chair Janelle Marr said: “The board thanks Mr McKenna for his contribution to Screenwest during his time with the organisation, and wish him well for his next endeavours.”
The Screenwest board is commencing an immediate recruitment search to replace McKenna, with former board chair Peter Rowe to provide interim support. The organisation has advised that all funding rounds will continue as scheduled.
McKenna joined Screenwest in December last year from Roadshow, where he was the head of Australian production.
In July 2017, Screenwest transitioned from a government agency into an independent non-profit organisation, though continues receive funds from the Western Australian government and Lotterywest. Earlier this year,...
- 9/10/2018
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Natalie Miller..
This week marks the final opportunity to apply for the Natalie Miller Fellowship.s 12-month Brilliant Careers Leadership Program.
The initiative is designed to encourage women from all sections of the screen industry to develop their leadership skills.
Successful applicants will be provided practical tools and advice to develop their leadership skills, maximise mentoring and networking opportunities, and create a personal brand.
The program will commence on February 24 with a one day conference at Rmit University, Melbourne. This will be followed roundtable networking dinners, each hosted by an industry leader.
There will also be a mentorship program, which will connect each participant with a mentor for a minimum 4 x 1 hour sessions. A wide range of industry leaders such as Deanne Weir, Seph McKenna, Jo Bladen, Posie Graeme-Evans and Stephen Basil-Jones have already agreed to be mentors..
.This program is unparalleled. It will offer access to the most diverse...
This week marks the final opportunity to apply for the Natalie Miller Fellowship.s 12-month Brilliant Careers Leadership Program.
The initiative is designed to encourage women from all sections of the screen industry to develop their leadership skills.
Successful applicants will be provided practical tools and advice to develop their leadership skills, maximise mentoring and networking opportunities, and create a personal brand.
The program will commence on February 24 with a one day conference at Rmit University, Melbourne. This will be followed roundtable networking dinners, each hosted by an industry leader.
There will also be a mentorship program, which will connect each participant with a mentor for a minimum 4 x 1 hour sessions. A wide range of industry leaders such as Deanne Weir, Seph McKenna, Jo Bladen, Posie Graeme-Evans and Stephen Basil-Jones have already agreed to be mentors..
.This program is unparalleled. It will offer access to the most diverse...
- 1/9/2017
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
At Screen Australia's Family Film Forum in Sydney last month, director Kriv Stenders and Roadshow's head of production Seph McKenna talked the development of Red Dog and the opportunity presented by its sequel, Red Dog: True Blue, premiering Boxing Day.
In the video above, Stenders talks about the original conception of the first film - a $30 million feature starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman - and his desire to make something akin to "an Australian Amarcord".
McKenna discusses how the original book by Louis de Bernières on which the film was based wasn't big enough, commercially speaking, to impact Roadshow's decision to greenlight the film, and how surprised Roadshow was that.Red Dog played so well to all four quadrants..
During the panel at Sydney's Uts, Stenders also previewed the upcoming sequel, and said that it was a standalone film that people could see and enjoy without having seen the first film.
In the video above, Stenders talks about the original conception of the first film - a $30 million feature starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman - and his desire to make something akin to "an Australian Amarcord".
McKenna discusses how the original book by Louis de Bernières on which the film was based wasn't big enough, commercially speaking, to impact Roadshow's decision to greenlight the film, and how surprised Roadshow was that.Red Dog played so well to all four quadrants..
During the panel at Sydney's Uts, Stenders also previewed the upcoming sequel, and said that it was a standalone film that people could see and enjoy without having seen the first film.
- 4/18/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Sophie Lowe in Rachel Ward's Beautiful Kate.
Screen Australia has received 452 applications - the most applications ever received for any funding program - for Brilliant Stories and Brilliant Careers, the two programs announced last December under the Gender Matters initiative..
334 female-led creative teams applied for Brilliant Stories, according to a Screen Australia statement..
Successful applicants for Brilliant Stories will receive up to $100,000 for feature films; up to $50,000 for teams to develop an inventive concept into a scripted television series of any genre or budget size; and up to $50,000 for scripted online and interactive projects.
The Brilliant Careers fund is for proposals of up to $250,000 that generate sustainable careers in the screen industry for women; identify gaps in career development pathways for female creatives; and support slates of projects and businesses that connect content to audiences..
118 companies from all around Australia applied for this program, Screen Australia said.
.Screen Australia...
Screen Australia has received 452 applications - the most applications ever received for any funding program - for Brilliant Stories and Brilliant Careers, the two programs announced last December under the Gender Matters initiative..
334 female-led creative teams applied for Brilliant Stories, according to a Screen Australia statement..
Successful applicants for Brilliant Stories will receive up to $100,000 for feature films; up to $50,000 for teams to develop an inventive concept into a scripted television series of any genre or budget size; and up to $50,000 for scripted online and interactive projects.
The Brilliant Careers fund is for proposals of up to $250,000 that generate sustainable careers in the screen industry for women; identify gaps in career development pathways for female creatives; and support slates of projects and businesses that connect content to audiences..
118 companies from all around Australia applied for this program, Screen Australia said.
.Screen Australia...
- 4/13/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Some of the titans of the screen industry are helping Screen Producers Australia to put together the body.s annual conference.
The Screen Forever advisory board is advising on challenges, trends and success stories that will be addressed at the industry event to be staged November 17-19 in Melbourne
The annual conference will include keynotes, masterclasses, sessions pitching opportunities and markets. The advisory board consists of: Chris Oliver-Taylor, Managing Director, Matchbox Pictures and President, Screen Producers Australia Nathan Anderson, Multiplatform Executive Producer Ian Collie, CEO/Executive Producer, Essential Media and Entertainment Ross Crowley, Director of Content and Programming, Foxtel Rachel Gardner, Producer, See-Saw Films Therese Hegarty, Head of Production and Rights Management, Seven Network Russel Howcroft, Executive General Manager, Network Ten Nathan Mayfield, CEOr, Hoodlum Seph McKenna, Head of Australian Production, Roadshow Films Chris Rose, Commissioning Editor, ABC TV Annabelle Sheehan, CEO, South Australian Film Corporation
Oliver-Taylor said the conference...
The Screen Forever advisory board is advising on challenges, trends and success stories that will be addressed at the industry event to be staged November 17-19 in Melbourne
The annual conference will include keynotes, masterclasses, sessions pitching opportunities and markets. The advisory board consists of: Chris Oliver-Taylor, Managing Director, Matchbox Pictures and President, Screen Producers Australia Nathan Anderson, Multiplatform Executive Producer Ian Collie, CEO/Executive Producer, Essential Media and Entertainment Ross Crowley, Director of Content and Programming, Foxtel Rachel Gardner, Producer, See-Saw Films Therese Hegarty, Head of Production and Rights Management, Seven Network Russel Howcroft, Executive General Manager, Network Ten Nathan Mayfield, CEOr, Hoodlum Seph McKenna, Head of Australian Production, Roadshow Films Chris Rose, Commissioning Editor, ABC TV Annabelle Sheehan, CEO, South Australian Film Corporation
Oliver-Taylor said the conference...
- 9/27/2015
- by Staff writer
- IF.com.au
Victoria's Napthine Coalition Government has agreed to invest $3.8 million in the Melbourne International Film Festival.s (Miff) Premiere Fund over the next four years.
The announcement in the lead-up to the state election this Saturday has been widely welcomed by filmmakers and distributors.
.I strongly believe our industry in Victoria and Miff is elevated by the significant opportunities the Miff Premiere Fund provides," said Seph McKenna, head of Australian Production at Roadshow Films, which released the fund-supported Bran Nue Dae, These Final Hours and the upcoming Paper Planes.
Lizzette Atkins, who produced Sue Brooks. Looking for Grace starring Richard Roxburgh and Radha Mitchell with the fund.s assistance, said, .It is imperative for the state of filmmaking in Victoria that both the Miff Premiere Fund and Miff 37ºSouth Market continue to thrive..
Since taking office in December 2010, the Coalition Government has committed more than $9.5 million to Miff for the festival,...
The announcement in the lead-up to the state election this Saturday has been widely welcomed by filmmakers and distributors.
.I strongly believe our industry in Victoria and Miff is elevated by the significant opportunities the Miff Premiere Fund provides," said Seph McKenna, head of Australian Production at Roadshow Films, which released the fund-supported Bran Nue Dae, These Final Hours and the upcoming Paper Planes.
Lizzette Atkins, who produced Sue Brooks. Looking for Grace starring Richard Roxburgh and Radha Mitchell with the fund.s assistance, said, .It is imperative for the state of filmmaking in Victoria that both the Miff Premiere Fund and Miff 37ºSouth Market continue to thrive..
Since taking office in December 2010, the Coalition Government has committed more than $9.5 million to Miff for the festival,...
- 11/25/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Now shooting in Melbourne and country Victoria, the comedy Oddball is breaking all the rules which say you should never work with children, animals, birds and on or near water.
.You name the risk, we.re taking it,. Wtfn.s Richard Keddie, who is producing with Steve Kearney and Sheila Hanahan Taylor, tells If.
Based on a true story, the film stars Shane Jacobson as Swampy Marsh, an eccentric chicken farmer who, helped by his granddaughter, trains his mischievous dog Oddball to protect a wild penguin sanctuary from fox attacks.
Saran Snook plays Swampy.s daughter Emily, a single mother, with Coco Gillies as her daughter and Alan Tudyk as an American tourism consultant who is hired to help the town get back on its feet.
Richard Davies is a local conservationist, Deborah Mailman is the mayor, Frank Woodley is a dogcatcher and Meeko, a maremma, is Oddball.
Animal trainer...
.You name the risk, we.re taking it,. Wtfn.s Richard Keddie, who is producing with Steve Kearney and Sheila Hanahan Taylor, tells If.
Based on a true story, the film stars Shane Jacobson as Swampy Marsh, an eccentric chicken farmer who, helped by his granddaughter, trains his mischievous dog Oddball to protect a wild penguin sanctuary from fox attacks.
Saran Snook plays Swampy.s daughter Emily, a single mother, with Coco Gillies as her daughter and Alan Tudyk as an American tourism consultant who is hired to help the town get back on its feet.
Richard Davies is a local conservationist, Deborah Mailman is the mayor, Frank Woodley is a dogcatcher and Meeko, a maremma, is Oddball.
Animal trainer...
- 5/12/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Matt Saville.s thriller Felony, which stars Joel Edgerton, Tom Wilkinson, Jai Courtney and Melissa George, will get a cinema release in the Us via a new distributor.
Gravitas Theatrical, which plans to release a dozen films a year, has been launched by Gravitas Ventures, founded by Nolan Gallagher in 2006 to distribute independent films across multiple platforms, focusing on VOD.
The release date hasn.t been revealed but it will be in the late northern summer. Roadshow has dated the film for August 28.
Dustin Smith has been hired as VP of Theatrical Distribution after nearly a decade at Roadside Attractions where he oversaw the acquisition and release of Winter.s Bone and worked on such releases as All Is Lost, Stories We Tell, Mud and The Cove.
.We are absolutely delighted that Gravitas Ventures has chosen Felony for a theatrical release,. said producer Rosemary Blight of Goalpost Pictures.
.When looking...
Gravitas Theatrical, which plans to release a dozen films a year, has been launched by Gravitas Ventures, founded by Nolan Gallagher in 2006 to distribute independent films across multiple platforms, focusing on VOD.
The release date hasn.t been revealed but it will be in the late northern summer. Roadshow has dated the film for August 28.
Dustin Smith has been hired as VP of Theatrical Distribution after nearly a decade at Roadside Attractions where he oversaw the acquisition and release of Winter.s Bone and worked on such releases as All Is Lost, Stories We Tell, Mud and The Cove.
.We are absolutely delighted that Gravitas Ventures has chosen Felony for a theatrical release,. said producer Rosemary Blight of Goalpost Pictures.
.When looking...
- 1/14/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Teen drama Circle of Lies is breaking new ground for Australian films as it begins a staggered theatrical roll-out in Brisbane this week and will be released on Video-on-Demand platforms and on DVD on September 18.
In another unusual ploy, the producers will sell copies of the DVD at cinemas in rural areas; each screening will feature a Q&A with cast and crew.
Scripted by Adrian Moses and Scott Herford, the film follows high school student Denise (Hilary Caitens) who is bullied and victimised by classmate Kirsty (Anna Lawrence), the leader of a bunch of ultra-cool kids who call themselves .the exclusives.. The cast includes Ryan Harrison, Nikki Webster, Karina Banno, Stephen Multari and Luke Webb.
Directed by first-timer Matt Cerwen, the film was released in North America last December by Warner Bros. on a limited number of cinemas and on VoD. Paramount is distributing in parts of Latin America...
In another unusual ploy, the producers will sell copies of the DVD at cinemas in rural areas; each screening will feature a Q&A with cast and crew.
Scripted by Adrian Moses and Scott Herford, the film follows high school student Denise (Hilary Caitens) who is bullied and victimised by classmate Kirsty (Anna Lawrence), the leader of a bunch of ultra-cool kids who call themselves .the exclusives.. The cast includes Ryan Harrison, Nikki Webster, Karina Banno, Stephen Multari and Luke Webb.
Directed by first-timer Matt Cerwen, the film was released in North America last December by Warner Bros. on a limited number of cinemas and on VoD. Paramount is distributing in parts of Latin America...
- 8/20/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
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