Sasha Close

Skipping Stone Media provides consulting and advisory services to the screen industry, focusing on collaborating with creatives and organisations to develop, market and distribute content

• Formed strategic partnerships and connected with potential clients to drive business development.
• Leveraged professional networks and industry knowledge to strengthen client relationships.
• Project management to key screen industry businesses
• Key consulting contract with Independent Cinemas Australia
• Collaboration and project delivery with producers and filmmakers on bespoke cinema releases including Brazen Hussies and Regenerating Australia.

The Gold Coast Film Festival is one of Queensland’s biggest film festivals presenting a diverse program of films and events and now entertains over 10,000 people annually

The Brisbane International Film Festival is the premier festival in Queensland, annually showcasing a diverse program of Australian and international feature films and shorts

• Maintained a positive work environment by promoting collaborative problem-solving and encouraging open communication channels among team members.
• Improved program offerings based on changing trends, and audience feedback.
• Business strategy and curation of festival programs including feature films and shorts with strands and program spotlights
• Team leadership, stakeholder relationships and industry liaison
• Key achievements include an increase in admissions and raised profile for both festivals.

• Curate films for the 2020-22 Festivals, with flexibility to create strands and program spotlights
• Negotiate film agreements with distributors, sales agents, and filmmakers, within the programming budget
• Team leadership across the programming team and collaboration with contractors and suppliers including liaison with venue partners, event teams and technical co-ordination
• Budget management and project delivery.

Wallis Cinemas is an independent, family-owned South Australian cinema chain

• The programming team offer expert film and programming advice as well as client services to twenty regional and independent cinemas across Australia
• ICA Board member (May 2016- December 2019)
• Management of programming and film booking for Wallis Cinemas and associated independent cinemas
• Ensure delivery of maximum customer satisfaction and box office success
• Provide expertise, leadership and operational support for the research, booking, programming and delivery of films
• Budgeting and financial management of events and projects
• Film hire negotiation and analysis of film rental
• Member of the Wallis Management team developing strategic plan for 2017-19
• Business development and partnerships with Adelaide Fringe Festival and local stakeholders.

• Programming & film selection for Wallis Cinemas and Associated independent cinemas
• Financial management – analysis of film performance and reporting box office data
• Film hire negotiation and analysis of film rental
• Development and implementation of workflow systems for scheduling and booking.

Village Cinemas are a leading exhibition chain with mainstream and arthouse complexes operating in Victoria and Tasmania

• Program & film selection for Art house Cinemas (Rivoli Cinemas & Cinema Europa)
• Event co-ordination and management (including preparation and delivery of film premieres, film Q & A’s, short film festivals)
• Budget forecasting, financial management and data analysis.

United International Pictures combined the films and content from major Hollywood Film Studios – Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures

• This joint venture ended in 2006
• Account Supervisor for cinemas in Victoria & South Australia
• Accounts receivable and financial duties