Screen Queensland today announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Tracey Vieira, will leave the organisation at the end of August 2019 after five and a half years in the role.
Ms Vieira was appointed CEO in February 2014, having previously been based in Los Angeles as the Executive Vice President International Production for industry / government member organisations at Ausfilm. She previously worked as the Executive Manager of Locations for the Pacific Film and Television Commission prior to Ausfilm.
Screen Queensland Chair Linda Lavarch praised Ms Vieira for her achievements as CEO and acknowledged the significant transformation of the organisation that has taken place through Ms Vieira’s leadership.
“Tracey’s achievements during her time with Screen Queensland are considerable and she is leaving the organisation in a strong position to continue to see growth and meaningful achievements for the local industry which has grown year-on-year since 2014,” said Ms Lavarch.
“Her established relationships in North America have paid significant dividends for Queensland which has had back-to-back international productions since Tracey took the role and maximised the Queensland Government’s Production Attraction Strategy.
“Through Tracey’s leadership Screen Queensland has: set a path to gender equity in the industry; launched its very first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy; opened sqhub, the first entrepreneurial startup space for the screen industry; established the Screen Queensland Studios, which opened in January 2019 and have been occupied since their first day; secured the Asian Animation Summit for two years; attracted the World Congress of Factual Producers Conference to Brisbane; and backed the local industry to achieve year-on-year growth.
Ms Vieira said she is incredibly proud to have been part of the Screen Queensland team that has passionately driven change to the screen agency.
“I came into the role during a tumultuous time for the organisation and industry in Queensland with a clear vision of what we needed to do in partnership with the industry to make Queensland a great place to create content for all platforms and ensure that industry could stay in the state to do so,” said Ms Vieira.
“The whole team at Screen Queensland has worked tirelessly to revolutionise what a screen agency can be and have done that with excellence and generosity.
“I leave knowing that this is the culture of Screen Queensland and am excited about what the organisation and industry will continue to do together.
“I am particularly proud of the partnerships we have delivered with companies like Stan where we developed the first feature film for the streamer and then announced a development deal for premium drama series, and with SBS where we partnered on the first VR series for a broadcaster, to attracting Australia’s very first Netflix original series Tidelands with Queensland company Hoodlum Entertainment.
“We have worked closely with all the broadcasters as well as private financing partners, Australians in Film and many others to elevate content for global audiences and so I leave knowing I have done what I came here to do.
“It has been immensely satisfying to have been able to discover, elevate and support the many talented creatives and businesses we have here in Queensland creating world-class content such as Bluey, Harrow, Goldstone, Wik vs Queensland, Bureau of Magical Things, Balloon Barnyard, The Second, Tidelands, Grace Beside Me, Family Law, Safe Harbour, The Butterfly Tree, Ella, Winchester, This is Desmondo Ray, Snake Sheila, Blue Water Empire and many others along with working with games studios and games developers to support their businesses, games and growth. The talent in the state continues to be underestimated but is knocking it out of the park.
“As CEO my focus has been to ensure that we focus on creating world-class content from Queensland creatives for global audiences on platforms that are right to reach those audiences.
“As such we have embraced taking risks to develop talent with the market and through the support of our Board and the Queensland Government, we have been able to achieve this and incredible record growth.
“I really believe that it is now time for me to pass the leadership baton to new hands and watch the industry continue to flourish,” Ms Vieira said.
Ms Vieira acknowledged the support of the Queensland Government and the Premier and Minster for Trade, The Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk MP for her recognition of screen and its role in culture, creating jobs, benefitting small business and opportunities for the future.
She also thanked Board members past and present, for their support and encouragement during her time at Screen Queensland, with particular mention of Board Chair Linda Lavarch for her mentorship and guidance. She also thanked the wonderful team at Screen Queensland who will continue to work closely with the industry to achieve great outcomes for Queensland.
“Screen Queensland’s success and growth has been a team effort. It has been an enormous pleasure to work alongside an extraordinary and dedicated team of individuals, as passionate and enthusiastic about the screen industry as I am,” said Ms Vieira.
“I came into Screen Queensland looking to transform the agency and its alignment of vision and values, which we have achieved with our Government, Board, our many production partners and especially the talented screen practitioners and businesses based all across Queensland. It has been an amazing experience and a genuine privilege to be the CEO of Screen Queensland since February 2014.”
“I am leaving to explore what is next in my own development, but know that Screen Queensland has never been in better hands than it is right now with the Queensland Government, Board and entire Screen Queensland team,” Ms Vieira said.
Ms Vieira will finish at Screen Queensland on 24 August 2019. The position of CEO will be advertised shortly.
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