The ABC has appointed award-winning television and film creative Louise Smith as an executive producer for Australian drama, entertainment and Indigenous content.
Louise has more than 20 years’ experience producing television titles and feature films in Australia and overseas, including the AACTA Award-winning telemovie Riot about the 1970s’ gay and lesbian rights movement, which screened on the ABC in 2018.
More recently, Louise produced the 10-part drama series The End for Foxtel Australia, Sky UK and Showtime USA, created by Samantha Strauss.
Sally Riley, ABC Head of Drama, Entertainment & Indigenous content, said:
“Fresh from her outstanding series The End , Louise brings a wealth of industry knowledge to the role. Her wide-ranging experience across scripted production in drama and comedy will be an incredible addition to an already amazing team.”
Louise said she was drawn to the quality of the shows broadcast on the ABC.
“Working across the drama, comedy and Indigenous slate at our national broadcaster will allow me the opportunity tell world-class stories and collaborate with the best producers, writers and directors in Australia,”
“I am excited for the chance to discover and develop diverse and emerging voices that we are yet to see on our screens. With the focus on ABC iview as a key ABC platform, I’m eager to see what bold adventures we can create within the scripted story space.”
Louise produced the 2008 feature film The Square, directed by Nash Edgerton and written by Joel Edgerton and Matthew Dabner, and co-produced the 2003 feature film The Rage in Placid Lake , written and directed by Tony McNamara and starring Rose Byrne and Ben Lee.
She was also executive producer on the 2017 Dance Academy: The Movie feature film, written by Samantha Strauss and directed by Jeffrey Walker.
