March 5th, 2018

Screen Nova Scotia thanks Erika Beatty; names Interim Executive Director

Announcement, Industry Updates
Quotation Flourish
 Laura Mackenzie has been chosen as Interim Executive Director of Screen Nova Scotia by its board of directors. 

March 5th, 2018 – HALIFAX, NS

For immediate release: Laura Mackenzie has been chosen as Interim Executive Director of Screen Nova Scotia by its board of directors. She replaces Erika Beatty, who is completing a successful two-year contract with the organization in late March 2018. Mackenzie will begin serving in this role on March 12th, 2018.

“I couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve accomplished in such a short period of time,” said Erika Beatty, who joined Screen Nova Scotia as its first Executive Director after a 20 year career in orchestra management and following three years as an independent producer, project manager and consultant. “Screen Nova Scotia represents all Nova Scotians working in film, television and animation – more than 1200 people strong representing $150M in local spending. This is the backbone to the provincial creative economy, and I know it will be in capable hands as Laura takes over the helm next week.”

“On behalf of the board of directors of Screen Nova Scotia we’d like to thank Erika Beatty for the amazing job she did for the organization,” said Mike Volpe, Chair of the Board. “She took a pan-industry group forged together by necessity and helped professionalize it and give it structure. Most importantly, she was instrumental in positioning Screen Nova Scotia and its membership for growth in the upcoming years. Erika was dedicated to the organization and a pleasure to work with.”

Mackenzie brings a diverse breadth of industry experience to the role. An experienced programming consultant and industry market director with a demonstrated history of activating growth for non-profit organizations across Canada, Mackenzie has developed numerous industry programs and initiatives. This includes creating the vision for and executing the Atlantic International Film Festival’s Strategic Partners event, an international film and television co-production/co-financing market, since 2013. For the past three years she has served as the Programming Consultant for the Canadian Media Producers Association’s annual conference, Prime Time in Ottawa. Mackenzie is also a member of the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council, a partnership between the cultural sector and the government of Nova Scotia designed to foster better understanding and decision-making.

‘They say timing is everything, and we are very fortunate to have a smart, industry savvy professional like Laura Mackenzie be able to step in as Interim Executive Director,” said Volpe. “Laura brings with her a vast network of international contacts developed through her years at Strategic Partners and recent work with the CMPA.  Our goal is to generate production work in Nova Scotia and Laura is uniquely positioned to help us achieve that goal.”

Mackenzie holds a Bachelor of Business with a specialization in Tourism Development, Management from Mount St. Vincent University. She has also produced three short films in her home province of Nova Scotia, and worked in production on local and national films and television shows before stepping into her first role with the Atlantic Film Festival in 2009.

The Board is currently planning the search for a permanent Executive Director, which will take place over the next few months. More information about that process and future developments will be made available online: www.screennovascotia.com

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For further information / media requests:
Tara McClair
Operations & Communications Manager
Screen Nova Scotia
(e) tara@screennovascotia.com / (c) 1.902.229.3793

Screen Nova Scotia is a member-based industry association and film commission that promotes and advocates on behalf of Nova Scotia’s screen industry. Our membership includes producers, service providers, local cast and crew, unions, and industry organizations. Screen Nova Scotia is dedicated to building a strong and sustainable future for the province’s production sector. We’re the first point of contact to find out more about locations, production partners, industry resources and infrastructure, and financial incentives.