Sydney Film Festival Taps Heartbreak High’s Thomas Weatherall For Board Role

Sydney Film Festival has unveiled a fresh trio of board appointments — and leading the charge is a familiar face for younger audiences, with Heartbreak High star Thomas Weatherall stepping into a key governance role.

The Festival confirmed Weatherall will join as a director alongside Madman Entertainment co-founder and CEO Paul Wiegard, while business leader Deb Eckersley comes on board as Treasurer. The appointments bring together a mix of creative, industry and corporate expertise as the Festival gears up for its 73rd edition this June.

Weatherall’s appointment is particularly notable, marking a continued push to bring younger voices into the leadership of major cultural institutions. The move aligns with a broader NSW Government initiative aimed at ensuring emerging arts leaders have a seat at the table.

Minister for the Arts John Graham welcomed the decision, saying, “I’m very pleased to see the Sydney Film Festival backing the call to support young arts and culture leaders by appointing Thomas Weatherall. Thomas will bring such a unique and youthful perspective to the stewardship of this treasured cultural event. I’m also excited to see Debra Eckersley and Paul Wiegard bring their extensive experience to the board.”

Best known for his role as Malakai Mitchell in Netflix’s Heartbreak High, Weatherall has quickly become one of Australia’s most exciting multi-hyphenate creatives. Alongside his on-screen success — which includes AACTA and Logie Award wins — he has also made waves as a playwright, with his debut work Blue earning critical acclaim after premiering at Belvoir St Theatre and touring nationally and internationally.

Sydney Film Festival Chair Darren Dale said the new appointments signal a continued commitment to strong, diverse leadership across the sector.

“I’m delighted to welcome Deb Eckersley, Thomas Weatherall and Paul Wiegard to the Sydney Film Festival Board,” Dale said. “Each brings a distinct perspective and a breadth of experience across the creative industries, the screen sector and the broader commercial landscape. As custodians of a Festival now in its 73rd edition, we share a responsibility to honour its legacy while continuing to champion bold filmmaking and strengthen its unique place in Sydney’s cultural life.”

Eckersley joins with more than three decades of experience across finance and corporate strategy, including senior roles at Bank of Queensland and PwC Australia, while Wiegard brings deep industry knowledge as the CEO of Madman Entertainment, a distributor behind more than 35 Oscar-nominated films.

Together, the new board members join Chair Darren Dale and fellow directors Debbie Lee, Amanda Maple-Brown and Penny Smallacombe in shaping the Festival’s future.

With preparations already underway, the 2026 Sydney Film Festival will run from 3–14 June, continuing its long-standing role as a cornerstone of Australia’s screen culture — now with a new generation helping guide what comes next.