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SAFC announces eight new staff appointments

22 September 2025
New SAFC staff, clockwise from top left: Mags Scholes, Brian Scarce, Jessica Giacco, Neil Rennison, Carmel Boffa, Yanhui (James) Fu, Astrid Samuel, Gavin Heard.

The South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) is pleased to announce the appointment of eight new staff across the agency, addressing a number of existing vacancies in the team and supporting the SAFC’s delivery of its new Strategic Plan 2025-2028 to empower world-class South Australian screen production and connect our state’s diverse voices, stories, artistry and identity to audiences in Australia and around the world.

A reorganisation of the agency’s structure will focus the organisation on production outcomes with SAFC Head of Production Leanne Saunders to oversee all industry programs and funding, including the operation of Adelaide Studios.  

The SAFC is pleased to welcome new members of our Production team:

Supporting existing SAFC Production team members:

Also joining the SAFC in an industry facing role is Brian Scarce in the new role of First Nations Programs Lead. Brian will be the primary point of contact for all SAFC First Nations-focused programs.

The SAFC’s senior executive team is strengthened by the appointment of Gavin Heard in the key role of Head of Corporate.

See below for details of role descriptions and biographies of new staff, or click on a name or position above to learn more.

SAFC CEO Kate Croser congratulated the SAFC’s new staff on their appointments.

“I’m so impressed with the calibre of these new staff members who I am delighted to welcome to the SAFC team. All our new staff bring extensive expertise and networks to the agency and through investing in building a strong SAFC team, we can build on the SAFC’s strong support for the SA screen industry.”

Funding for industry programs is not impacted by the new organisational structure with the SAFC continuing to deliver all current industry programs and support.

The SAFC will formally launch its Strategic Plan 2025-28 along with 2025-26 industry programs on 30 October 2025, with more details to be shared with industry stakeholders soon.

Please join us in welcoming the new SAFC team.

Industry role descriptions

In the newly created role of Production Executive (SA Led), Mags Scholes will provide targeted support specifically for South Australian producers and production companies. Mags is the point of contact for SA applicants utilising the SAFC’s Screen Production Fund, ABC SAFC Content Pipeline Fund and Post Production, Digital and Visual Effects (PDV) Rebate. Mags commenced her role on 15 September.

Mags will work alongside Production Executive (Inbound & Studios) Georgia Humphreys-Yuan, who is the primary contact for all inbound production enquiries from non-SA applicants across the SAFC’s Screen Production Fund, ABC SAFC Content Pipeline Fund and Post Production, Digital and Visual Effects (PDV) Rebate. Georgia will also oversee the operation of Adelaide Studios and below-the-line workforce development to drive production capacity in SA. Georgia is the point of contact for SAFC’s Professional Crew Attachment and Targeted Diversity Attachment programs.

As Talent Development Manager, Jessica Giacco will drive development outcomes towards production for SA key creatives and production companies, overseeing programs including development funding, Film Lab: New Voices, market and conference support, and the SAFC’s partnership with The Mercury. Jessica will commence in her role on 13 October.

As Acting Game Development Executive, Neil Rennison will build on the SAFC’s support for the state’s game development sector, driving sector outcomes through the Video Game Development (VGD) Rebate and other programs and events, including the South Australian Game Exhibition (SAGE). Neil will be the point of contact for all games industry program enquiries and commence in his role on 29 September.

As Program Systems Manager, Astrid will oversee the administration of Production team programs and activities, ensuring systems and procedures support good governance and effective engagement with program applicants and funding recipients. Astrid is supported in this work by Program Coordinator Julia Light. Astrid commenced in her role on 19 August.

Facilities Manager Alan Lloyd continues to lead the Adelaide Studios front of house, janitorial, cleaning and maintenance services and is responsibility for management of all production facilities enquiries and booking requirements. Yanhui (James) Fu as Cleaning and Maintenance Officer will report to Alan in a role that the SAFC has decided to bring inhouse to provide enhanced support for Adelaide Studios users. James commenced in his role on 22 September.

In the newly created role of Client Services Coordinator, Carmel Boffa is responsible for professional and efficient client services as the point of contact for Adelaide Studios tenants and existing production clients. In this role Carmel leads the SAFC Reception staff of Leanne Ridley and Clara Moutakis. Carmel commenced in her role on 1 September.

First Nations industry stakeholders will seek SAFC funding and support through all the above SAFC programs and activities, with First Nations Programs Lead Brian Scarce acting as a point of contact for First Nations applicants and partners and supporting cultural considerations across SAFC programs. Brian commenced in his role on 22 September.

Biographies

Mags Scholes joins the SAFC with a wealth of industry experience. Previously based on the Sunshine Coast, Mags is a former Head of Content at Screen Queensland and an experienced Production Executive with more than 25 years across agencies, production, and international projects. She is highly experienced in inclusive talent development and managing high-stakes content delivery, with recent credits for Netflix, HBO, and SBS.

Neil Rennison began his 25-year games development career as a 3D environment artist working on major racing titles before founding Tin Man Games in 2008, where he has led the development of over 60 digital titles as Creative Director. A passionate advocate for the Australian games industry, Neil actively supports indie development through mentoring, funding assessments, and strategic leadership.

Jessica Giacco brings over a decade of experience across creative development, production and industry programming to the SAFC. A respected screen industry professional, Jessica most recently served as Industry Programs Manager at Screen Producers Australia (SPA), leading national talent development initiatives including Ones to Watch, Pitch on Demand, Global Connect and Screen Forever. She also has a strong list of production credits on titles including Ladies in Black (2018), Blind and Bunker: The Last Fleet.

Astrid Samuel brings over a decade of experience in the film industry to the agency, with strong experience in change management and building flexible, structured systems. She began as Business Affairs with sales agent Wild Bunch in Paris, then joined Odin’s Eye Entertainment in Sydney, overseeing sales, legal, and end-to-end delivery operations from development to distribution.

Carmel Boffa brings extensive experience in government and customer service roles, having previously worked in the Accounts teams at City of Adelaide, Jurlique and SA Health.

Yanhui (James) Fu has enjoyed a varied career, from the classroom to the greenhouse to cleaning and has most recently worked for a contractor to clean Adelaide Studios since January 2024.

Brian Scarce is a Kokatha, Nukunu and Mirning man from South Australia. He brings to the team a strong mix of government, industry, and cultural experience, having worked at the National Indigenous Australians Agency, National Disability Insurance Agency and CAAMA Productions in Alice Springs. He has worked in the industry as producer, production manager and sound recordist on projects with a focus on First Nations stories and communities.

Gavin Heard is an experienced executive with more than 20 years’ experience across the public and private sectors with organisations including the National Banking Corporation and Office for the Commissioner of Public Sector Employment. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and brings a strong focus on aligning strategy, governance, and experience to drive corporate performance and build trust. Gavin’s first love is storytelling and he started his career at BBC Radio in the UK working as a Producer. Gavin is excited to bring the strands of his career together at the SAFC.

The SAFC would like to thank the recruitment agencies that facilitated these first-class additions to the agency: EP Australia for Mags Scholes, Neil Rennison, Jessica Giacco and Astrid Samuel; Underwood Executive for Gavin Heard; Rainy Day Recruitment for Brian Scarce; and Randstad Australia for Carmel Boffa.

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