Staff

CEO / Creative Director
Mathew Kesting

Our CEO is a film exhibition and event specialist with a long love affair with film festivals and screen culture.  

Mat’s passion for cinema and strong curatorial voice is well known to Adelaide audiences as AFF’s Programs Manager since 2015 and from his years at the Mercury Cinema as Exhibition Manager programming Cinémathèque, Silent ReMasters, and the hugely popular Seniors on Screen. He programmed six editions of OzAsia Festival On Screen and was previously the Program Manager at the Brisbane International Film Festival. Mat is proud to have been a part of the Lumiere Cinema team following his studies in Media and Cinema.  

 Mat oversees our organisation and leads strategic planning. He manages the AFF Investment Fund. 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. 

Mat currently sits on the Festivals Adelaide Board. He is fascinated with the natural world, is 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… 

Email Mat: [email protected]

Program, Audience and Industry Development Manager
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]

Finance and Governance Manager
Robyn Jones

Robyn takes care of our finances, Board and Government stakeholders, and manages the customer service team. She is first point of contact for general enquiries. Robyn holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and a Bachelor of Education. She previously worked for KPMG and taught finance at University before turning her attention to the big screen as the Accountant and Office Manager for the Media Resource Centre. If you ask nicely, she just might tell you about her gold medal for juggling. 

Email Robyn: [email protected]

Marketing Manager
Nathan Hocking

Nathan leads AFF’s marketing team and can assist with queries regarding our creative campaign, festival marketing, social media, promotions and advertising. With a diverse background in business development, marketing, advertising and event management, Nathan is an expert in aligning the creative process with strategic integrated marketing design. He holds a Bachelor in Business Marketing from UniSA and is currently undertaking his Masters with Professor Mark Ritson.  A former heavyweight State Kung Fu Champion, Nathan is at his happiest at the helm of the paella pan, surrounded by family and friends.

Email Nathan: [email protected]

Head of Production
Richard Seidel

Richard works across AFF’s Production elements and is our key point of contact for all things technical across screenings and special events. He has produced and managed a broad range of creative concepts nationally and internationally across festivals, arts and cultural events, outdoor and arena events, fashion parades and gala evenings, as well as projects for theatre, dance, circus and film. Although we haven’t had to call on it yet, if needed Richard can balance on one hand. 

Email Richard: [email protected]

Development Lead
Kane Moroney

Kane dedicates his days to AFF’s fundraising and partnerships. Want to become a Festival Partner or Donor – he’s the one to speak to. Kane holds a Bachelor of Music and studied to be a professional classical flute player while working at cinemas in Perth and Sydney. His role in Audience Development with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra saw engagement grow with diverse community and youth audiences. And yes – he really is 6’8″. But rather than checking the weather ‘up there’ and playing basketball, he devotes his spare time to books, learning and bringing down his average pace per km when out on a run.
Email Kane: [email protected]

Special Projects Officer
Sarah Lancaster

Sarah looks after a range of AFF projects including developing our first Reconciliation Action Plan and editing program copy. A festival faithful, she cut her teeth at the Sydney Film Festival and has worked at TIFF, Hot Docs, AIDC, the Adelaide Cabaret Festival.  Formerly Production and Development Executive at the South Australian Film Corporation, Sarah holds a First-Class Honours in Film and History, and Masters in Media in Education. Once a  35mm projectionist, Sarah now stitches together yarn instead of celluloid.   

Email Sarah: [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]