by FilmInk Staff
The Natalie Miller Fellowship is thrilled to announce Kathryn Craig [left] and Rachel Watt as the dual recipients of this year’s prestigious grant, after extensive deliberations over the highly competitive applicant shortlist. The announcement was made at The Australian International Movie Convention (AIMC) held at The Star on the Gold Coast. Kathryn and Rachel will both receive a grant of $10,000 each, designed to recognise, nurture and empower the next generation of female leaders to achieve outstanding success at the top of their fields.
Established in 2011 to recognise the unique contribution of screen industry pioneer Natalie Miller AO, the Natalie Miller Fellowship is open to established women working in the Australian screen industry and aims to provide financial assistance to pursue professional development in their fields.
Kathryn Craig is the Head of Programming & National Operations at Dendy Cinemas, with more than 25 years’ experience in cinema exhibition, spanning programming, venue operations and audience development. Since joining Dendy as General Manager of its Canberra cinema in 2009, Kathryn has progressed through a series of senior operational and leadership roles and now oversees programming and operations across Dendy’s national circuit. She is passionate about the future of the cinema experience and the role that audience insight, technology and distinctive experiences can play in building lasting relationships with the next generation of moviegoers.
Kathryn’s project, The Next Audience: Leading Cinema Growth Through Insight, Technology and Experience, asks how Australian cinemas can combine audience insight, digital discovery, loyalty and operational delivery to build lasting relationships with the next generation of moviegoers. The Natalie Miller Fellowship will support an 8–10-day US industry study visit, engaging with industry leaders and experts across film discovery, audience engagement, marketing, ticketing, CRM, loyalty, analytics and exhibition. By examining the complete audience journey – from discovery and building interest, through ticket purchase and the cinema experience, to continued engagement and return visits – Kathryn will explore how audience insight and digital engagement can be translated into practical strategies that drive cinema attendance. With younger audiences moving fluidly between social media, trailers, reviews, streaming and theatrical experiences, the project will explore how cinema can remain a distinctive, relevant and actively nurtured part of their wider content journey. Kathryn will bring and share these non-proprietary learnings in Australia, supporting industry-wide audience growth while strengthening her capacity to lead innovation and change.
Kathryn Craig said, “I am incredibly honoured and grateful to be named a recipient of the 2026 Natalie Miller Fellowship. After more than 25 years in cinema exhibition, including more than 16 years with Dendy Cinemas, the Fellowship comes at a particularly meaningful point in my career and offers an invaluable opportunity to broaden my perspective, strengthen my leadership and explore how Australian cinemas can build lasting relationships with the next generation of moviegoers. I’m excited to share what I learn and contribute practical ideas that can help our industry attract, engage and retain the next generation of cinema audiences.”
Rachel Watt is the Founder and Managing Director of Watt Social, a boutique social media agency specialising in film, television and entertainment. With over a decade of experience in social media and entertainment marketing, Rachel has worked across theatrical distribution, streaming, exhibition and production, holding roles at Event Cinemas, WarnerMedia in the UK and Stan before establishing Watt Social in 2022. Through Watt Social, Rachel works with leading studios, production companies, distributors and talent to develop and execute social-first creative strategies, ranging from content ideation and on-set production through to campaign management, premieres, talent tours and a title’s release. As an advocate for integrating social media and digital marketing earlier in the production process, Rachel champions a more connected approach between filmmakers, marketers and audiences. She actively contributes to industry conversations, having hosted panels and sessions at the AACTA Festival, Australian International Movie Convention (AIMC) and Independent Cinemas Australia (ICA) Conference.
Rachel’s professional goal is to champion a shift in how the Australian screen industry uses social media to find, build and engage audiences from script to screen. Thanks to the Natalie Miller Fellowship, Rachel will attend MIPCOM 2027 in Cannes, France, to learn from global leaders across entertainment, technology and marketing. She will investigate how international businesses integrate social-first and audience-led content strategies earlier in development and production, including when social and digital strategies are introduced and who champions them from production through to release. Ahead of MIPCOM, Rachel will consult with Australian producers, distributors, exhibitors and marketers to identify the challenges and barriers facing the local industry, taking these questions to the international stage. She will use these learnings to develop a practical Australian Audience-First Framework, supported by international and domestic case studies and benchmarks, and share her findings through industry forums and masterclasses.
Rachel Watt said, “I’ve worked in the screen industry now for over a decade now, and the thing I love most about it is the people. It’s why I’m so passionate about seeing our industry thrive and finding new ways to connect Australian stories with audiences. To be recognised by the Natalie Miller Fellowship and have such incredible industry leaders believe in what I’m trying to achieve is a huge confidence boost, but more than anything, I’m just so excited and grateful to be part of this amazing network of women.”
President of the Natalie Miller Fellowship Sasha Close said: “The Natalie Miller Fellowship is delighted to announce Kathryn Craig and Rachel Watt as the 2026 recipients, whose proposals demonstrated the leadership and vision needed to help shape the future of the Australian screen industry. Both have identified opportunities to learn from international markets and bring fresh perspectives and new ideas to their work, spanning cinema exhibition and the promotion of Australian screen content. Supporting the professional development of current and emerging screen industry leaders is at the heart of the Natalie Miller Fellowship. We’re proud to support Kathryn and Rachel as they take these next steps in their careers and look forward to the insights, connections and innovative approaches they will bring back to strengthen the Australian screen industry.”
For more information, visit the Natalie Miller Fellowship website: https://nataliemillerfellowship.com/
