AFI announces new CEO
08 March 2006
The Australian Film Institute today announced the appointment of James Hewison as its new Chief Executive Officer.
AFI Chairman Morry Schwartz said that James Hewison, currently Executive Director of the Melbourne International Film Festival, will join the AFI in August.
"It's an important time in our history, with the renaissance of Australian film, and with James we are confident we have the right mix of experience and skills to lead the AFI."
Hewison, who will direct his fifth and final Melbourne Film Festival in July this year before commencing his new role, said "The AFI plays an integral role in Australian film culture and I am very much looking forward to working with the staff and board in contributing to the stature of current Australian cinema, locally & internationally"
Founded in 1958, the AFI is Australia's foremost screen culture organisation. The AFI has promoted Australian film and television for over 48 years and is responsible for producing Australia's premier film and television awards, the annual AFI Awards.
James Hewison’s impressive professional history in film and media spans two decades.
Throughout that time he has worked in various notable roles in the film and media industries including Marketing Manager Victoria for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Cinema and Marketing Manager for The George Cinemas and Palace Films, but most recently as Executive Director for the Melbourne International Film Festival from 2000 to 2006, during which time the festival has experienced record levels of growth and consolidated its reputation as Australia’s most popular and dynamic Festival of Film.
Hewison was the Associate Producer of the feature documentary film, Letters to Ali, and Associate Producer of Short And Sweet 2 for ABC TV. He was on the Advisory Committee for Screen Producers’ Association of Australia (SPAA) Conference from 2003 – 4, and was recently appointed an Advisor for the Asian Film Market for the Pusan International Film Festival in South Korea. He has written as an arts contributor for newspapers and magazines in Australia and Paris and has worked in radio, and in a variety of publicity and marketing roles. He lived in Paris from 1989 – 1992.
