Grainne Brunsdon has been promoted to chief operating officer within federal funding and policy body Screen Australia. She was the organization’s director of content, where she led production investment and development, distribution support, and business initiatives for the last two years.
Starting the new job from April 1, Brunsdon succeeds Michael Brealey, who departed the agency in December 2023 after five years in the role.
Brunsdon has more than 25 years’ experience in the entertainment sector. Prior to joining Screen Australia in 2022, she was head of Screen NSW.
She was also director of arts investment, engagement and development at Create NSW where she was instrumental in the introduction of the 50:50 by 2020 initiative addressing gender parity in the screen industry, and the Screenability NSW initiative, which provided opportunities for practitioners with disability.
She has other experience managing funding programs and targeted initiatives across arts, screen and culture in addition to overseeing the designation of Sydney as a UNESCO City of Film, and representing the global film cities on the UNESCO Creative Cities Network Steering Group.
Screen Australia’s CEO Deirdre Brennan said, “Grainne brings a depth of experience to the role of COO. She has proven herself to be an exceptional leader who is passionate about Australian storytelling in all its forms. I believe that her experience will be instrumental in helping deliver Screen Australia’s vision and evolving strategic priorities, working with the team to make a significant and holistic contribution to the screen industry.”
Brunsdon said, “My passion for supporting Australian creative talent has played a significant role in my career and I’m looking forward to helping lead the agency in its next phase of growth.”