Screen Queensland today announced that Dr Belinda Burns will conclude her tenure as Chief Creative Officer at the end of October, after five formative years with the agency.
Dr Burns joined Screen Queensland in 2021 as Head of Marketing and Communications, before being appointed Chief Creative Officer in 2022. In this role, she has made a significant impact across the screen sector as a passionate advocate for local storytellers, industry sustainability and inclusivity.
A published author with a PhD in Creative Writing, she led the creative side of the business through a period of significant growth across local production, attracted production, screen culture and digital games and played a key role in strengthening cross-government relationships and partnerships to amplify outcomes for the sector.
As CCO, Dr Burns was the driving force behind Screen Queensland’s $3 million Business Enterprise Fund, the 2024 Content guidelines review and the introduction of slate funding for local production companies—designed to prioritise growth of Queensland-owned intellectual property. She also led the expansion of the Digital Games program and investment in practitioners creating for new platforms through the introduction of the Online Production Grants.
Her leadership was instrumental in securing the AACTA Awards for Queensland and she devised the format for the agency’s flagship industry conference, In the Frame. A committed advocate for sustainability, she guided the development of Screen Queensland’s Sustainability Roadmap and represented the agency as a founding member of Sustainable Screens Australia.
In 2023, she also served as Acting Chief Executive Officer guiding the organisation prior to the instalment of Jacqui Feeney that same year. Across this work Dr Burns consistently promoted and helped retain Queensland’s creative writing talent through targeted initiatives such as the recent Writers’ Room program and Short Film Fund.
Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney said that Belinda’s decision to return to her creative side as a full-time writer was reflective of her deep commitment to the art of storytelling and connecting with audiences.
“At the heart of all that Belinda has brought to the Screen Queensland team through her many accomplishments is her unwavering spirit to seek opportunities for us to uplift our local creatives and support homegrown stories to find their place on the global stage.
“She has been an incredible guiding light across the sector and her vision, warmth and keen insights into so many facets of the screen industry will be incredibly missed by us all.”
Reflecting on her time with the agency, Dr Belinda Burns said the past five years have been an amazing time to work at Screen Queensland.
“I have witnessed significant growth and expansion of the local industry across content and games, alongside a strengthening recognition of Queensland as a creative powerhouse for screen stories across all genres, formats and platforms.
“While I’m excited to be returning to the creative side with a residency at the Queensland Writers’ Centre, the hardest part of departing Screen Queensland will be saying goodbye to the team—an incredibly knowledgeable and passionate group of people committed to the ongoing growth of our industry and to harnessing the value and opportunities screen offers to Queensland.
“I’d like to thank Jacqui Feeney, our indomitable CEO, for her leadership, guidance, support and spirit—and look forward to seeing the local screen industry continue to flourish as we head towards 2032 and beyond.”
Screen Queensland recently commenced an executive search for two new positions—Executive Director, Screen Content and Executive Director, Industry and Audience Development—and will announce those appointments in the coming weeks.
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Media Contact
Carrie Barber
Marketing and Communications Manager
media@screenqld.com.au | 07 3248 0500
