AACTA Appoints Network Ten Boss To Board

The Australian Film Institute [AFI] and Australian Academy Of Cinema And Television Arts [AACTA] have announced the appointment of four new board members - including Network Ten's Executive Director which may see the station sure-up its AACTAs coverage.

Following the recently-held annual general meeting, the following have been added to the board. Retired Screen Producers Association Of Australia Executive Director Geoff Brown, Gruen Transfer panellist and Network Ten Executive Director Russell Howcroft, Deluxe Australia's Managing Director Alaric McAusland and AHL's General Manager Alternate Content and Moonlight Cinemas, Ian Sutherland.

There were previously seven board members of AFI | AACTA, but with the four appointments this month the AFI board decided to fill the maximum nine positions, which it can do at its discretion. Former Director Amanda Higgs decided not to stand for the position again in February, and was replaced by Sutherland, while Morry Schwatz also stepped down.

Earlier this year the second year of the re-branded AACTA Awards, or 'AACTAs', was held, but a lack of corporate partners and tough network negotiations contributed to poor ratings.

Howcroft said the organisations have, “the opportunity to assist in the growth and expertise of Australia's global creative community. AFI membership assists in personal creative development and the AACTA's celebrate achievement. Network Ten is engaged in this process via the AACTA Awards Broadcast and I hope to personally assist via my previous experience in industry bodies.”