CEO & Creative Director
Mat Kesting MAICD
Mat is a programming specialist with a life of experience with festivals and screen culture.
Named as a one of Screen International’s Future Leaders in 2019, Mat’s passion for cinema and strong curatorial voice is well known in the Australian film industry. He ran the Festival’s programming from 2015 until being appointed as CEO in 2019. Prior to this he was Exhibition Manager at the Mercury Cinema, programming special events including Cinémathèque, Silent ReMasters, and Seniors on Screen. He programmed six editions of the On Screen strand of OzAsia Festival, and was previously Program Manager at the Brisbane International Film Festival. He currently sits on the Festivals Adelaide Board. A true cinephile, Mat has also been involved in 15/15 Film Festival, Australian Film Television and Radio School, Lumiere Cinemas, ACMI, Melbourne International Arts Festival, and Midsumma Festival.
Mat leads the strategic direction of Adelaide Film Festival and manages the Investment Fund (AFFIF). Passionate about commissioning new work from local and national filmmakers, Mat is always on the hunt for incredible films to screen and bold new work to support.
He is fascinated with the natural world, committed to sustainability, and recently completed an Environmental Science degree just to keep it real. He also has three small children so no – he has no spare time or hobbies. But has fond memories of camping, once upon a time.
Email Mat: [email protected]
Head of Programming & Industry
Gail Kovatseff
Gail manages AFF’s programming department, responsible for film submissions, selection and Awards alongside industry development, audience expansion and AFF Youth. A prominent figure in the SA Screen Industry, Gail led the Media Resource Centre and Mercury Cinema for 12 years as CEO, transforming its professional program including introducing the Screen Makers Conference and establishing the cinema as a vital part of the city’s cultural life via launching programs such as Seniors on Screen. Gail graduated university with an on-going love of American Literature and European History.
Email Gail: [email protected]
Head of Development & Partnerships
Eira Swaine
Eira manages AFF’s development team and is responsible for our corporate partnerships and philanthropy. As a not-for-profit organisation, AFF relies on the vital support of government, corporate partners and donors to deliver its program and Eira is committed to engaging with our partners and individuals to ensure that the festival continues to grow and provide a platform for filmmakers to share with audiences the stories about who we are, where we have come from, and where we are going.
Passionate about nurturing and championing the work of exceptional artists and creatives, Eira’s diverse arts experience includes six years in senior roles at major South Australian arts organisations, including as Executive Director at Australian Dance Theatre (ADT), as well as Acting Head of Foundation & Benefaction and then Head of Development at the Art Gallery of South Australia.
Email Eira: [email protected]
Publicist
Tracey Mair
Tracey liaises with all media and filmmakers regarding stories, interviews and reviews and is the main contact regarding publicity at the Festival. A film and television communications specialist with 30 years with experience across production, distribution, festivals and industry strategy, Tracey runs her own dedicated boutique PR agency. When she can tear her eyes away from the screen, she is usually found busy in the kitchen, sipping on a natural wine and planning her next travel adventure.
Email Tracey: [email protected]
Development & Partnerships Coordinator
Tara Falleti
Tara looks after our partnerships for the festival – if you are interested or want to explore how you can get involved in the fun, she’s your go to – and is always interested in exploring creative, exciting, and bespoke ways to collaborate and make memorable moments for your brand.
Tara’s background stems across account management in print, television, digital, and cinema advertising, as well as facilitating as a production assistant for a local film and commercial video production company. Studying Media Arts: Film and Television and completing her honours project in cinema advertising and promotional discourse at university, Tara has always had a strong appetite and appreciation for film and feels right at home at the Adelaide Film Festival.
If she’s not sitting back with a glass of South Australian red watching a film, in her spare time, Tara is also a singer-songwriter and teaches a Latin style of dance called Zouk.
Email Tara: [email protected]
The 2023 Adelaide Film Festival team
CEO/CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mathew Kesting
EXECUTIVE & OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Dahlia Opala
FINANCE & GOVERNANCE MANAGER Robyn Wigley
HEAD OF PROGRAMMING & INDUSTRY Gail Kovatseff
PROGRAMMING COORDINATOR Bridget McDonald
SCREENINGS, TRAFFIC & PROGRAMMING COORDINATOR Waleed Sheikh
PROGRAMMING ASSISTANT Louis Campbell
GUEST COORDINATOR Vera Tarasenko
SPECIAL INITIATIVES MANAGER — EXPAND & PUBLICATIONS Julianne Pierce
EDUCATION COORDINATOR Deanne Bullen
HEAD OF DEVELOPMENT & PARTNERSHIPS Eira Swaine
DEVELOPMENT & PARTNERSHIPS COORDINATOR Tara Falleti
DEVELOPMENT & PARTNERSHIPS ASSISTANT Victoria Cnotek
PUBLICIST Tracey Mair
MARKETING MANAGER Lewis Brideson
MARKETING COORDINATOR Larissa Dubrowsky-Ryan
MARKETING ASSISTANT Aryani Singh
PRODUCTION & EVENTS MANAGER Jason Warner
PRODUCTION & EVENTS COORDINATOR Kahl Hopper
BOX OFFICE & INSIGHTS COORDINATOR Cy Martin
VOLUNTEER & OFFICE COORDINATOR Cecile Saidi
IT SERVICES Boileau Business Technology
CREATIVE AGENCY Cul-de-sac Creative
MARKETING ADVISORY KWPX
PRINTER Chris Doak, Print Solutions