Our Board

  • CHAIR

    Sara Pheasant is the CEO of the University of Melbourne Student Union.  She is a lawyer, advocate & collaborator with 18+ years of leadership in strategic development, policy reform, change management and partnerships, acknowledged with university sector awards. She is passionate about human rights and cultural storytelling, with experience both in the community legal sector, and the creative industries, including as Executive Director of The Australian Ballet's opera and ballet orchestra. 

  • DEPUTY CHAIR

    Vyshnavee Wijekumar has an extensive background in marketing and fundraising within the festival and film distribution space, working with both Australian and international content. Previous employers include Village Roadshow, the popular Indian Film Festival of Melbourne and the Human Rights Arts & Film Festival. Currently she leads the marketing team at Footscray Community Arts Centre and is looking to grow the film program during her tenure at the centre. She has also previously moderated the panel on ‘Women Getting a Start in Screen Culture’ at the inaugural 2017 Melbourne Women in Film Festival and participated in a live reading presented by Behind the Wire at the 2017 Melbourne Writers Festival. She also recently wrote this piece on the M.I.A. documentary for the Melbourne International Film Festival.

    A woman of Sri Lankan Tamil heritage, Vyshnavee is incredibly passionate about screen content produced by and featuring people of colour and First Nations communities. She absolutely loves the film and television industry and its ability to tell stories, connect communities and change perspectives. She is particularly interested in increasing the presence of underrepresented groups on screen and behind the lens.

  • Leanne Tonkes is a gender equality and diversity advocate championing the careers of female and underrepresented writers, directors and storytellers.

    Leanne’s feature credits include MY MISTRESS, director Stephen Lance’s debut feature with cinematographer Geoffrey Simpson, Academy Award® nominated editor Jill Bilcock, and Academy Award® winning costume designer Angus Strathie, starring internationally acclaimed French actress Emmanuelle Béart, AFI Award winning Harrison Gilbertson and Rachael Blake.

    She produced THE SECOND, Mairi Cameron’s AACTA nominated debut feature which was streaming service STAN’s first Original feature and she’s currently producing MY MELBOURNE a Screen Australia supported feature directed by four first-time feature directors, mentored by 4 award-winning Indian directors - Kabir Khan, Imtiaz Ali, Rima Das, Onir, and Australian emerging talent.

    Leanne’s credits include THIS IS DESMONDO RAY! – a critically acclaimed 6 part web series which was Winner of the Web Series World Cup and won creator Steve Baker the 2018 ADG for Best Animation.  

    She’s also producing DUSTFALL, Emma Freeman’s debut feature film with Jo Werner, and an adaptation of Erin McKean’s best-selling novel, THE SECRET LIVES OF DRESSES written by Megan Simpson Huberman and Stephen Lance. She is adapting other books including THE WEDDING SEASON with writer/actor Menik Gooneratne and a biopic on Prof Graeme Clark the man who invented the Bionic Ear.

    Leanne was a recent participant of INSIDE PICTURES, a high-profile international intensive film business and leadership skills development programme for film and TV industry executives supported by Creative Europe and ScreenSkills.

    Leanne is a founding board member of the Melbourne Women in Film Festival.

  • Jessica is a curator, creative producer and arts manager, working with a strong interest in socially-engaged practice and equity in arts and cultural participation. She has curated and produced artistic and participatory programs for festivals and presenters including City of Melbourne, Arts Access Victoria, University of Melbourne, Dancehouse, City of Stonnington, Melbourne Fringe and flagship London 2012 Cultural Olympiad program Unlimited. 

  • Tram is an accounting and finance professional with over 15 years of experience across various industries, including banking, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and the higher education sector. Her expertise lies in finance strategy and transformation, and financial performance management, with a track record of driving financial excellence and optimising performance throughout the implementation of various strategic projects.

    Beyond her professional endeavours, Tram is deeply passionate about fostering equality and opportunity for women and young children. She is committed to creating environments where they can experience growth and thrive. By combining her financial acumen with this passion, she aims to make a meaningful impact, empowering the next generation and contributing to a more inclusive society.

  • Alice McShane is a film programmer and screen industry professional, having most notably held the positions of Conference Programmer at the 2023 Australian International Documentary Conference and before that the Program Manager of the Human Rights Arts & Film Festival. She has also served on film panels for SXSW Sydney, and the Melbourne International Film Festivals. Recently, Alice became a board member of the Melbourne Women in Film Festival – a culmination of her work so far and dedication to a healthy film festival ecosystem. Currently, she is working as an Associate Producer at Common Room Productions. Alice has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Screen Studies, and commenced a Masters in Arts Management. Alice is a passionate advocate for the power of filmmaking and for driving change in the industry. Film festivals are her first love, they allow her to champion the sector, celebrate craft and pay tribute to the change-making power of storytelling.