We’re thrilled to announce that Ivan Vukusic, the Awards and Industry Development Manager at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA), will be joining the Port Shorts crew as a guest judge for 2024.
Ivan is responsible for AACTA Awards voting and outcomes, and with his team, liaises with industry on process and policy. Ivan launched the development arm of AACTA in 2018 which has helped fast track the career of many early stage creatives, across a range of specialised initiatives. In 2024, alongside partners Essential Screen Skills, he launched the inaugural AACTA Screen Careers Expo. The largest event of its kind in the southern hemisphere, the AACTA Screen Careers Expo is an invaluable opportunity for students, their parents and workers looking to transfer from other industries to learn about all aspects of the exciting screen industry, the many incredible career pathways on offer, and the education and training available to get them there.
Prior to AACTA, Ivan was an independent entertainment and media consultant, working with the likes of Vendetta Films, Monster Pictures, Shock Entertainment and Closer Pictures and across distribution, event management, development and acquisition. He was National Sales Manager at Umbrella Entertainment before moving into the role of Manager of Cinema Sales and Marketing in 2011. Ivan started his film industry career at Walt Disney Studios where he was an Account Manager in the theatrical department from 2008 – 2010. Early in his career he worked extensively in the music industry for companies such as Festival Records and Mushroom.