‘Heartbreak High’ Star Thomas Weatherall Among New Sydney Film Festival Board Directors
Thomas Weatherall, best known for his role in heartbreak high, has joined the Sydney Film Festival board as a Director alongside Deb Eckersley and Paul Wiegard, as the Festival expands its leadership team ahead of its June program.
New Board Appointments and Roles
Sydney Film Festival has welcomed three leaders from across Australia’s creative industries to its Board. Deb Eckersley has joined as Treasurer, while Madman Entertainment co-founder and CEO Paul Wiegard and award-winning actor and writer Thomas Weatherall have joined as Directors. Their appointments bring together expertise spanning film distribution, performance and writing, corporate governance, finance and strategy.
The new directors join Chair Darren Dale and fellow Directors Debbie Lee, Amanda Maple-Brown and Penny Smallacombe. Together, they will lead the strategic director of this year’s festival — set to take place from June 3rd-June 14th in cinemas across Sydney.
Heartbreak High Star Joins NSW Young Leaders Initiative
Weatherall joins as part of a wider arts initiative, spearheaded by the NSW Government, to include young leaders in preeminent cultural institutions. The Festival noted the move is intended to bring fresh perspectives into its stewardship; the board also highlighted Weatherall’s profile from heartbreak high as part of that youthful perspective.
Minister for the Arts, John Graham, said: “I’m very pleased to see the Sydney Film Festival backing the call to support young arts and culture leaders by appointing Thomas Weatherall. Thomas will bring such a unique and youthful perspective to the stewardship of this treasured cultural event. I’m also excited to see Debra Eckersley and Paul Wiegard bring their extensive experience to the board. “
Festival Context and Next Steps
The appointments are presented as strengthening the Festival’s capacity to support Australian and international filmmakers while guiding one of the country’s most significant cultural institutions. “As custodians of a Festival now in its 73rd edition, we share a responsibility to honour its legacy while continuing to champion bold filmmaking and strengthen its unique place in Sydney’s cultural life, ” Chair Darren Dale said.
The Festival continues its year-round initiatives in support of filmmakers, audiences and the wider screen industry, with the appointed directors set to participate in leadership through the forthcoming June program.
