by FilmInk Staff
Werner Film Productions today announces a change in its senior leadership team with the departure of Managing Director Stuart Menzies and the appointment of Tim Phillips to the role.
After six successful years with the company, Stuart Menzies has decided to step down and take a well-earned break. During his tenure, Stuart played a pivotal role in the company’s growth and creative achievements, overseeing a slate of critically acclaimed and commercially successful productions including the award-winning drama The Newsreader for ABC, Netflix’s global hit Surviving Summer, and the inventive tween series Crazy Fun Park. Despite his departure, Menzies’ will continue overseeing the production of The Dispatcher which is currently in production in Victoria.
Werner Film Productions Company Director Joanna Werner said: “Stuart has been a truly exceptional leader and creative partner during a transformational period for the company. His passion, deep industry knowledge, and commitment to excellence have helped shape Werner Film Productions into the company it is today. While we will miss him and his wit and humour, we are incredibly grateful for his contributions and support his decision to take some well-deserved time out.”
Stuart Menzies said: “It’s been a privilege to work alongside Joanna and the remarkable team at Werner Film Productions over the past six years. I’m enormously proud of everything we’ve achieved together. It’s never an easy decision to leave a place and people you love working with, but the team is in great hands, and for me, it’s time. I’m looking forward to setting the out-of-office to ‘I am in Mexico… for a while.”
Incoming Managing Director Tim Phillips brings with him a wealth of experience and strategic acumen. He most recently served as CEO of Fulcrum Media, and his broad industry background including twelve years at Screen Australia positions him well to lead the next phase of growth for the company.
Joanna Werner added: “We are thrilled to welcome Tim Phillips to Werner Film Productions. Tim is a respected and forward-thinking leader with a strong track record in both the creative and business sides of the industry. I look forward to partnering with him as we continue to expand our local and international footprint.”
The transition comes at an exciting time for Werner Film Productions, which was acquired by BBC Studios Productions Australia in 2024 and is currently in development and production on several major projects including the live action puppet pre-school series Knee High Spies for the ABC, providing production services on 60Forty Films’ upcoming drama project for Apple TV+, The Dispatcher, as well as commencing pre-production on a yet to be announced three-part series.
ABOUT WFP:
Werner Film Productions is an award-winning independent television Production Company based in Melbourne, Australia. Werner Film Production’s work has been defined by consistent acclaim, receiving numerous AACTA Awards, Logie and Screen Producers of Australia Awards, along with four International Emmy nominations. Since 2020 WFP has Produced three seasons of The Newsreader (ABC and Lionsgate), two seasons of the Netflix hit teen series Surviving Summer, the tween Comedy Horror drama Crazy Fun Park (ABC & ACTF) and the pre-school live-action puppet series Knee High Spies (ABC & ACTF). Previous credits include Riot (ABC, NBCU), tween drama Ready for This (a co-venture with Blackfella Films for ABC & ACTF) along with three seasons of Dance Academy (ABC, ACTF & ZDFS) and its feature film follow-up Dance Academy: The Movie (Studio Canal, ZDFS), all of which enjoyed multiple award nominations and wins. In 2024/25 WFP is providing production services for 60Forty Films’ series The Dispatcher (AppleTV+) with Joanna Werner serving as an individual executive producer. In addition, WFP is currently in post-production on the live-action puppet pre-school series Knee High Spies as well as being in pre-production for a yet-to-be-announced three-part series. Werner Film Productions has an active and diverse development slate, working alongside some of Australia’s most talented writing and directing creatives and in 2024 was acquired by BBC Studios Australia.
