The Film Victoria Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Caroline Pitcher as the new Chief Executive Officer of the State Government’s screen agency.
Currently General Manager, Commercial and Public Engagement at Federation Square, Ms Pitcher is a passionate advocate of Victoria’s – and Australia’s – screen industry with more than 14 years’ experience in industry roles.
President of the Film Victoria Board Ian Robertson described Ms Pitcher as “an innovative thinker and strategic leader with a deep understanding of the local screen industry.”
From 2013‐2016 she was National General Manager, Film & Television Post Production at Deluxe, where she was responsible for leading business growth strategies and securing post production contracts for projects such as the critically acclaimed feature film Lion. Prior to that she was Director, Marketing & Enterprise Solutions at Omnilab Media.
A member of the Film Victoria Board since 2012, Ms Pitcher previously worked for the agency as General Manager of the Melbourne Film Office (2003‐2007), charged with representing Victoria’s screen industry overseas and attracting international productions to the state.
During this time she helped rebrand Melbourne as a leading production destination and secured significant international production activity for the state. Other highlights include launching a regional film policy and promotional strategy.
From there, she was appointed CEO of Ausfilm, where she spent two years focused on promoting Australia’s screen credentials and capabilities around the world. Ms Pitcher also served as a member of the Ausfilm International Board from 2009‐2016 and as President of the Screen Services Association of Victoria from 2010‐2012.
Mr Robertson said: “Caroline has made a strong contribution to the industry over more than a decade and to the Film Victoria Board over the past five years. She has an intimate knowledge of the organisation and the challenges and opportunities ahead for Victoria’s screen industry, and we are thrilled to welcome her back as CEO.”
Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley also congratulated Ms Pitcher.
“In the context of a fast‐changing media, technological and global landscape, Caroline takes the helm of Film Victoria at an interesting time for our screen industry. I have no doubt she will bring great energy, insight and resourcefulness to the opportunities ahead and I look forward to her contribution to Film Victoria, our screen industry and our creative state.”
On her appointment, Ms Pitcher said: “I’m delighted to be assuming the leadership of Film Victoria at a time when the Victorian screen industry is performing well. An important continuing role for Film Victoria will be to assist our industry to meet the challenges of a changing environment and take more Victorian‐produced content to the world.
“Our industry is fortunate to have a large number of exceptional producers across film, television, Video‐On‐Demand and digital games; talented craftspeople, directors, writers, visual effects designers, cast and crew with a wonderful track record of success and international acclaim; and a supportive State Government. I’m looking forward to working collaboratively with them all.”
Caroline will commence as CEO of Film Victoria in December 2017, succeeding Jenni Tosi who has held the position since 2011.
In 2016‐17, Film Victoria’s investment in television, film, online and games projects in Victoria, generated 7,715 new employment opportunities for the local screen industry and a record $230 million contribution to the state economy. The agency also launched a range of new initiatives for screen businesses and to strengthen diversity and gender equality in the industry.