WHAT‘S HAPPENING
News & Events
Tony Ayres appointed to SAFC Board
20 March 2020
The South Australian Film Corporation is delighted to announce the appointment of award-winning Australian showrunner, writer and director Tony Ayres to its Board.
Mr Ayres was one of the founding members of internationally renowned Australian production company Matchbox Pictures, responsible for an eclectic and globally celebrated slate of productions. In 2018 he established his own production company, Tony Ayres Productions, developing and producing feature films and television for global audiences and international marketplaces.
Most recently he co-created and was Executive Producer on hit Matchbox/ABC drama Stateless alongside Cate Blanchett and Elise McCredie. Stateless was filmed and produced in South Australia with the support of the SAFC, and stars Blanchett, Yvonne Strahovski, Jai Courtney, Dominic West and Asher Keddie.
SAFC CEO Kate Croser said: “We are thrilled to welcome Tony Ayres to the SAFC Board. His outstanding body of work, his extensive networks, experience and engagement with the industry globally make him a fantastic addition to the current Board, and their wide-ranging knowledge and skills base.”
SAFC Chair Peter Hanlon said: “We are very excited to have one of Australia’s premier film industry identities in Tony joining our Board. Tony’s national and international experience and reputation will be a strong addition to the Board. As we manage the immediate difficulties ahead and prepare for the future, we warmly welcome Tony to our Board.”
Mr Ayres was the showrunner on International Emmy and BAFTA nominated series The Slap, and was Executive Producer on its US remake. He co-created and was Executive Producer on multi-award winning series Glitch (3 seasons), and was executive producer on International Emmy nominated Wanted (3 seasons) with the third season shot in South Australia. Other EP credits include multi-award-winning series The Devil’s Playground, Old School, Underground: The Julian Assange Story, The Straits, comedy series The Family Law (3 seasons), Bogan Pride and Maximum Choppage.
His producing credits include Barracuda and the multi award winning Seven Types of Ambiguity anddirected multi-award winning TV movie Saved. In children’s TV, Mr Ayres created and executive produced the International Emmy and BAFTA award-winning Nowhere Boys and the telemovie based on the series, Nowhere Boys: The Book of Shadows. The internationally acclaimed series also won the AACTA Award for Best Children’s Television Series, two Logies, three Kidscreen Awards, a Rockie, and a Prix Jeunesse Award.
In feature films, Mr Ayres directed Cut Snake (2015), The Home Song Stories (2007) which won 24 international and Australian awards, and Walking on Water (2002), which premiered at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival. He also Executive Produced feature films Ali’s Wedding and Lou.
Currently Mr Ayres is the showrunner for upcoming US Netflix series Clickbait.
Mr Ayres’ appointment comes after the retirement of renowned producer Des Monaghan, who recently concluded nine years as a SAFC Board Member.