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PRESIDENT

Lauren Simpson began her film journey at Cal State Long Beach, and completed her studies with a Bachelor in Film and Television and an MBA. With experience at Filmlnk Movie Magazine and Event Cinemas, she excelled as an International Service Producer, creating impactful global content. As founder of Iris Arc Pictures, she produced 'Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism', which premiered at the Overlook Film Festival, won Audience Choice Awards at Sitges and MIFF and is out now on streaming services worldwide.

Lauren joined WIFT Victoria because she’s passionate about driving meaningful change and advocating for gender equality. Lauren envisions a future where inclusivity is the norm and through representation and celebrating each other we can shape a world where everyone’s potential is recognised.

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VICE-PRESIDENT

Katie is a film programmer and event producer working in the wonderful world of film exhibition. Throughout her screen career, Katie has worked alongside global film distributors, established and emerging film festivals and everything in between.

With a background in film, art history, graphic design and philosophy, Katie’s education and work experience has been focused on understanding how we tell and share stories across different genres and mediums.

Katie joined WIFT Victoria with a passion to grow the community in a way that is inclusive, accessible and united in its enthusiasm for all sectors of the screen industry.

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SECRETARY

Freya is proud to be joining WIFT VIC as the incoming Secretary for 2025.
A self-confessed "theatre kid", Freya loves working with and uplifting creative, driven people.
Freya is an entertainment lawyer who has provided legal services to producers and closed finance on various projects, from small documentaries to big-budget co production feature films. Freya is passionate about sharing her film financing knowledge with aspiring creatives, to help them understand how to get their own projects off the ground.

Freya joined WIFT VIC with the aim of providing the knowledge and skills to empower women and gender diverse screen practitioners to break down barriers and forge their own sustainable screen careers.

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TREASURER

Laura is a Chartered Accountant with over 12 years experience. Previously, she sat on sporting incorporated associations and was a founding board member for a mental health not-for-profit in Sydney.

Laura is keen to contribute to the financial success of WIFT Victoria for its members. She is passionate about female representation on Boards and helping women succeed in all spaces.

Laura not only manages WIFT Victoria’s financial administration, but is a key part in developing strategies for the organisation’s growth and sustainability.

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MEMBERSHIP ADMINISTRATOR

Alex is an independent filmmaker with a focus on projects that amplify LGBTQIA+ voices and stories. They’ve worked as an Impact Producer for the Who I Am national tour and co-created the verbatim theatre production Thrive: Queer Voices Out Loud (2023). They have over 15 years of experience working in the not-for-profit sector, and advocating for human rights and gender equity. Alex is currently the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Castlemaine Documentary Festival and Membership Coordinator for Women in Film and Television Victoria.

Alex joined WIFT Victoria to be part of a supportive, collaborative community that values diversity and gender equity. Through WIFT Vic, Alex has met many incredible members who have inspired them to keep creating and pushing for positive change within the industry.

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EVENT COORDINATOR

Melissa Russo is a dynamic and dedicated producer with a passion for storytelling and advocacy in the film industry. Having recently completed a 12-month producer placement supported by Vic Screen, Melissa has made significant strides in the industry, contributing to high-profile projects and championing fresh voices.

Beyond production, Melissa is a committed advocate for amplifying underrepresented and diverse voices within the film industry. With a strong belief in the power of storytelling to drive change, Melissa focuses on upskilling and empowering emerging talent from diverse backgrounds.

Before delving into production, Melissa honed skills as a Distribution Coordinator, ensuring the successful reach and impact of various projects.

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WEBSITE MANAGER

Bec is originally from Perth, WA, where she graduated from the WA School of Art and Design in Film, TV and Broadcasting. She relocated to Melbourne in 2017, transitioning from a career rooted in acting and producing to focus on writing, theatre, and recently cyber security. Her creative work spans short films, web series, podcasts (Bytes with Bec and Benji) and theatre projects, showcasing her passion for storytelling across mediums. Outside the arts, Bec applies her expertise in cyber security, blending technical insight with creativity to drive impactful change.

Bec is a long-time advocate for women in creative industries, and is proud to support WIFT Victoria, contributing her unique perspective and diverse skill set to the community.

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BOARD MEMBER

Jessica Hutchinson an award winning actor, writer, director and producer based in Melbourne, Australia.

Her career spans two decades across theatre, film, television, motion capture and video games. Jess trained under Sue Maslin (Executive Producer, The Dressmaker) at Compton School’s Creative Leadership program and was part of the inaugural Victorian cohort of the AWG First Break initiative.

Jess joined WIFT Victoria with a passion to give back to the industry with positive impact. Jess wanted to be part of the change makers, and has found herself in the most supportive community of incredible and like-minded creatives from all walks of life.

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BOARD MEMBER

Emily is the outgoing secretary of WIFT Vic, a position she held for 7 years. In her 'day job', Emily is a corporate and commercial lawyer at Holding Redlich. She has worked for producers and screen agencies, helping creators finance their stories and protect their interests.

Emily became a member of WIFT Vic through an introduction by a 30 year committee member who spruiked WIFT VIC at a Women on Boards breakfast. She was excited to meet others in the creative industry and to support the governance side of the operation. Emily is a passionate believer in stories that positively profile women and gender-diverse people and ensuring they have equal opportunities to work in the industry.

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BOARD MEMBER

Paige is a Lead Environment Generalist and Digital Matte Painter at Weta FX, known for her cinematic realism, technical expertise, and leadership across complex VFX projects. Leading the creation of environments on major blockbusters including Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and The Marvels. With a background in hyper-realistic oil painting and a deep love of storytelling, she blends fine art sensibilities with cutting-edge tools. Passionate about mentoring and innovation, she’s focused on building an inclusive, artist-led future in film, television, and visual effects.

Paige joined WIFT Vic to advocate for women and gender diverse people in VFX and post-production, connect with young professionals aspiring to break into the industry, and foster inclusivity. It’s a platform to empower everyone, create opportunities, and celebrate contributions.

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COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Anne is a communications specialist and copywriter with over nine years of experience spanning public relations, marketing, media, education, and tourism.

Anne has worked across key Australian screen and media organisations such as Nixco, Hear My Eyes and Melbourne International Film Festival.