Russel Howcroft, chair of the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS), has announced the appointment of Dr Nell Greenwood (pictured) as CEO.
Dr Nell Greenwood is an academic leader, screenwriter and creativity advocate with more than 25 years of experience in screen education and international film and television production.
“Dr Greenwood’s leadership will ensure the School is at the forefront of international screen education practice, producing graduates who are agile across multiple platforms, entrepreneurial in the global marketplace and creatively bold. She brings a rare and valuable skill set to the role. She has significant experience in film and television production, having worked at the highest levels in Australian and international production companies, and is passionate about screen education, with a decade in teaching and course development. Nell’s intellectual rigour, creative instincts and meticulous pursuit of educational excellence will enhance AFTRS’ reputation as one of the world’s best film schools,” said Howcroft.
Dr Greenwood’s career started in content development and she has held several senior industry roles including Head of Development at the Irish Film Board, Head of Development at Natural Nylon Entertainment (home to Jude Law and Ewan McGregor) as well as Head of Development at Element Films (producers of The Lobster and The Favourite) before embarking on a career as a screenwriter. Her writing credits include False Witness for UKTV (Foxtel), which won an AFI, as well as Pride and Joy, which was nominated for Best TV Film at the 46th Monte Carlo TV Film Festival. Dr Greenwood began teaching and discovered a passion for education, in particular creativity and how to engage and foster students’ brilliance and unique creativity in the classroom. She is also passionate about increasing female representation and diversity within the screen and broadcast industry and forging deeper inter-disciplinary connections across industries here and abroad.
Since 2013 Dr Greenwood has held multiple senior roles at AFTRS including Head of Screenwriting, Course Leader Masters and Head of Programs and, most recently, Director of Curriculum & Student Registrar. She has a PhD from The University of Sydney on Creativity and the Unconscious in the Screen Arts Classroom.
“I am delighted and honoured to be taking on this role. Having worked at the school for the last 12 years, I am very proud of the extraordinary talent we have here – our staff and students – and how much potential the school has to flourish during a time of change and opportunity. Under the previous CEO, Neil Peplow, the school embarked upon a forward-looking commitment to excellence in creative education and I can’t wait to expand and progress the great work he began,” Dr Greenwood said.