The AFI and AACTA board has issued a statement to members, announcing that it has made an offer to Dr George Miller to end what it describes as “constant disparagement” of the organisation, as well as that Jack Christian has stepped down as Chair.
The board announced the changes in a letter to members on Monday. It said it has chosen a new General Manager and will announce “a significant broadcast deal” in the coming weeks, which it says will support the Awards through to 2030.
The board has not publicly named the new General Manager. It said it has shared the candidate’s identity confidentially with Miller “to give him some comfort about the level of expertise they will bring to AFI/AACTA.”
The board did not reveal the terms of its offer. It set out what it sees as the reasons behind the dispute.
“We have recently made an offer to Dr Miller to end his constant disparagement of the organisation and his threats of litigation which commenced in April 2026 and remain unactioned,” the board wrote. “We believe these threats are driven by an intention to reverse the restructure undertaken by the Board, including the restoration of the former CEO to his previous position.”
The board said it had asked Miller to “instead work with us to create a better and stronger AFI/AACTA.”
It also responded to Miller’s proposed slate of directors. “The well-credentialled names that Dr Miller has suggested are fine candidates, but we believe there is a much broader team that can be assembled to better represent our membership and to ensure delivery of the AFI/AACTA priorities,” the letter said.
Love Film & TV?
Get your daily dose of everything happening in music, film and TV in Australia and abroad.
The board acknowledged problems with how the organisation was run in the past.
“The current Board are looking to the future and acknowledge the management practices and financial oversight of the past were lacking,” it wrote.
The board listed its priorities:
-
- appoint the General Manager
- set strategic direction
- strengthen governance
- deliver “transparency and best practice financial management”
- ensure long-term planning
It also said it plans to diversify and expand the board.
Over the past two months, the board has used an operations manager to review every area of the business. The letter said this work found “reporting and policy issues that have been ignored for several years” and led to new budgets that the board says have delivered “significant savings.” A partnership consultant is also working with staff to find commercial opportunities for the Awards and Festival.
The board also responded to financial questions raised by Doug Mitchell, Miller’s producing partner. It said AFI/AACTA has hired independent auditors and external accountants, and will release its financial reports before the AGM, as it does every year.
“It should, however, be noted that the restructure was instituted to address past financial performance and the Board has undertaken strong financial measures to repair the financial position since the last financial reporting date,” the letter said.
The board thanked Christian for six years of service. It credited him with securing the organisation’s largest government partnership deal and leading efforts to tighten financial controls and reporting. It also pointed to the Awards’ move to the Gold Coast and the launch of the AACTA Festival and Screen Careers Expo during his time as Chair.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together. We’ve secured major partnerships, strengthened the organisation and created new opportunities for Australian screen talent to be seen and celebrated here and internationally. These are substantial achievements that will benefit the AFI/AACTA well into the future,” Christian said.
The letter followed member enquiries about an article journalist Michael Bodey published on his Substack, Shouting at Clouds, on 16 October 2026. The board said it “cannot comment on any of the claims made.”
Earlier this month, Mitchell emailed members a letter setting out the Miller camp’s position “on Jo Smith’s exclusion from the Board, the failure to provide George with the member register, and our unanswered questions about the organisation’s finances and audit.”
Christian was one of five directors that Miller’s AGM resolutions seek to remove. The other four are Tony Petani, Craig Campbell, Dan Monaghan, and Toni Skaiffe. The resolutions nominate five people to replace them:
-
- John Seale, cinematographer on Mad Max: Fury Road
- Lesley Vanderwalt, Oscar-winning hairstylist on Mad Max: Fury Road
- Dean Hood, production manager on Mad Max: Fury Road and executive producer of Furiosa
- Sue McCreadie, a former public servant
- Dr Kellie Pollard, a Wiradjuri archaeologist
A letter from Miller’s lawyers, MinterEllison, states that “the AFI has recorded four consecutive years of operating deficits.”
Former CEO Damian Trewhella is in separate Federal Court proceedings with AFI/AACTA. Court orders show he is seeking to “remove documents from the Court’s file, or any application for a non-publication or suppression order in respect of documents on the Court’s file, and any affidavit evidence and submissions.”
The board said it will keep members updated on its offer to Miller.
The news comes just weeks after Miller spoke at the Tropfest 2027 launch in Sydney regarding the Byron Kennedy Award.
“[This award] has gone to some truly exceptional people, one of whom was John, back in 1997. And I know you get embarrassed when I say this, but you are dead set one of my absolute heroes, and I’ll follow you anywhere, there’s absolutely no question,” he said.
“So when we lost confidence in the current board of the AFI, AACTA, who don’t seem to have a clue about the pursuit of excellence, I asked John and his board if Tropfest could provide a safe haven, and they welcomed us with open arms. And for that… I’m truly grateful. So chukkas to you all.”
From Mediaweek