Screen Queensland has appointed Mags Scholes as head of content, to lead the agency’s local production support and talent development initiatives.
Scholes started her career as a researcher at the BBC, then moved into sound where she worked for 15 years alongside various Oscar and BAFTA-winning cast and crew before transitioning into production.
In 2017, Scholes relocated to Singapore as Head of Production for UK factual outfit MAKE Waves, headed by BAFTA-winning director Sarah Macdonald and previous CEO of BBC World News Sian Kevill.
She has also worked in production management at ABC, NITV and SBS, and joins Screen Queensland from her role as senior production manager at Brisbane’s Wildbear Entertainment, overseeing Screen Queensland-supported productions Demolition Down Under for Network 10 and feature documentaries Brock Over the Top directed by Kriv Stenders and Hating Peter Tatchell with executive producer Elton John.
Throughout her career, Scholes has delivered content for Netflix, Universal, HBO, Discovery, BBC, NHK, Disney, Channel NewsAsia, Channel 5 UK, ITV and MTV among others.
Scholes has lectured at a variety of tertiary institutions, and is also on the management committee of Dame Changer — a screen industry collective providing training and networking opportunities for women.
Screen Queensland chief creative officer Jo Dillon thanked former head of content Diya Eid and welcomed Scholes into the leadership role at the state screen agency.
“Mags’ experience as a crew member, production executive, educator and programmer of professional development events and initiatives has given her a truly 360-degree view of the industry.
“Her broad skills, knowledge and contacts developed over decades working in the sector, both in Australia and internationally, will be deeply valuable to our local industry, and we are fortunate to have Mags take the reins as leader of our Content team,” Dillon said.