by FIlmInk Staff
The Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) has announced the appointment of Darren Chau as Director, Production & Facilities.
The Director, Production & Facilities leads, directs and oversees the production activities of the School and ensures that its building facilities, equipment and physical infrastructure are fit for purpose, aligned to curriculum and centred around the delivery of a high quality, safe student experience.
In this role, Darren will be responsible for leading an expansion of distribution and sales pathways for student work, which will strengthen AFTRS’ reach, audience and industry impact, as well as monitoring industry trends in the screen, broadcast, audio and education sectors, to ensure AFTRS has access to best-practice production and broadcast technology and methodologies.
Darren brings a wealth of senior leadership experience in screen and audio production, content strategy and education. His career spans roles as a screen producer, executive, content strategist, commissioner, and educator, with extensive knowledge across multi‑genre content creation and strategic delivery to diverse audiences.
Prior to joining AFTRS, Darren was part of the ANZ Senior Executive Leadership team at Warner Bros. Discovery, overseeing content across a portfolio of 20+ channels. He led commissioning and content teams to deliver world‑class programming and drive revenue and audience engagement, including expanding Discovery’s reach across new platforms and co‑creating the 9Rush free‑to‑air channel in partnership with Nine. Darren has also served as an official judge of the International Emmys, expert moderator for the Comedy Nominee Panel at the Emmy’s World Television Festival (New York), is an elected Member of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and has twice been elected to the Screen Forever Advisory Board (Screen Producers Australia).
Prior to this appointment, Darren was Discipline Lead, BA Production at AFTRS and has been acting in the Director, Production & Facilities role since early this year.
“Darren has deep experience in educational leadership and has had a tremendous impact in his time at AFTRS, driving brilliant student outcomes, including the introduction of initiatives that have resulted in increased industry‑aligned learning outcomes and safer, more inclusive learning environments,” said AFTRS CEO, Dr Nell Greenwood.
Darren said: “AFTRS is a prestigious institution with a rich and continuing legacy of developing and nurturing globally leading creative practitioners who grow Australia’s screen and audio industries and shape our stories and culture. I am therefore incredibly honoured to accept this role and excited to help lead the organisation into the future.”
