Lori Flekser – National President
I started my career some thirty years ago – my first job was Production Assistant on a furniture commercial – and my work experience encompasses a rare range of creative industry sectors, providing unique insight into production, investment, distribution, and exhibition.
I was a filmmaker for 20 years – making films and docos for a myriad of local and international companies including Discovery Channel, National Geographic, ABC, SBS and Film Australia – before undertaking leadership positions at the federal film agency, the Australian Film Commission (merged into Screen Australia in 2008), including Head of Development, where we invested in great screen stories by talented emerging Australian creatives.
In 2011, I became the Executive Director at the Motion Picture Distributors Association, a peak body representing the studio film distributors in Australia. My role here is to champion theatrical film distribution by articulating the value of cinema to related businesses, Government and the wider creative industry, and forging strategies to navigate changing consumer consumption behaviours, and proposed policy changes by Government that affect the dynamic distribution landscape.
I currently sit on several Boards and Committees, all committed to driving evolution, growth and sustainability in the Australian screen industry. I’m especially passionate about fostering diversity and gender equality in our industry. And of course, I’m a very proud and passionate Cinema Pioneer and thrilled to be taking on the role of President.