Master of Arts: Screen Business, 2015
Paul Wiegard co-founded Madman Entertainment, one of Australia’s leading independent distribution and rights management companies for film and television, in 1996. Currently Madman’s CEO, he has executive produced feature films such as Balibo and The Turning as well as High Ground, The Trip to Greece and Nitram, which premiered in Cannes in 2021.
In 2016 Paul established DocPlay, a dedicated streaming platform which places a spotlight on some of the country’s most acclaimed theatrical documentaries.
Paul’s additional EP credits include That Sugar Film, fellow alum Jennifer Peedom’s Mountain, and its breathtaking 2021 follow up River, The Australian Dream, Girls Can’t Surf, Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation!, Blind Ambition, and jibberish comedy Nude Tuesday.
He is currently the President of the Australian Independent Distributors Association (AIDA) and sits on the boards of both the Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC) and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI).
AFTRS HIGHLIGHT
The shared experience. Discussing the various provocations with peers—with whom I have remained in contact—moderated by industry leaders across all screen sectors.
CAREER HIGHLIGHT
Fortunately, I have had many opportunities in the screen industry. The learnings about public policy during my time at AFTRS have been invaluable in lobbying government to support screen production.