Screen Queensland has ushered in a new era of leadership with the appointment of Tanya Ellen as its new Head of Content.
Ellen, with her extensive experience spanning both the creative and commercial sides of the screen sector, is set to play a key role in driving development and production funding programs.
Her focus will be on increasing the volume and diversity of local projects supported by the agency, as well as facilitating the growth of new and established Queensland screen businesses.
Ellen’s journey in the screen sector has been multifaceted, having worked as a creative producer across various genres including panel, reality, news, morning shows, film, and documentaries. She was recognised by Screen Producers Australia’s Ones to Watch program a decade ago, marking her as a significant talent in the industry.
In addition to her creative exploits, Ellen has also built a robust legal career, advising multimillion-dollar Australian and international productions.
Her legal acumen, coupled with her comprehensive understanding of screen financing and problem-solving from pre-production to delivery, equips her uniquely for her new role. After completing her MBA, Ellen worked for a United Nations-established not-for-profit organisation focusing on sustainability and adaptation, gaining expertise in the crucial area of environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG).
Dr Belinda Burns, Acting CEO of Screen Queensland, expressed gratitude to the former head of content, Mag Scholes, for her significant contributions. She also warmly welcomed Ellen into the organisation, praising her unique skillset and experience as valuable assets for the sector’s growth across Queensland.
Ellen expressed excitement about joining Screen Queensland and emphasised her eagerness to connect with local screen practitioners and explore ways to integrate ESG more fully into project delivery.
Screen Queensland’s reputation for being progressive and supporting Australian storytellers aligns with Ellen’s vision. She acknowledged the ever-changing industry levers, citing the increase in local production in Queensland as both a challenge and an opportunity requiring fresh thinking and flexibility.
