CinefestOZ is a not-for-profit organisation run by a Board of Directors. A team of professional staff and the generosity and dedication of over 350 volunteers help the festival deliver its outstanding program each year.
After growing up in Busselton, Margaret completed a Commerce Degree in Accounting and Finance from UWA, she went on to work for one of the Big 8 Accounting firms in Perth and was then seconded to its UK office. In 1992, Margaret returned to Busselton to start her own tourism business. She has overseen its growth as it has evolved in to a major tourism company. She has a proven background in fundraising with various not for profit organisations and has a keen interest in Australian film. Margaret joined the Board in 2009 and has served as the Deputy Chair since 2016, she is dedicated to advancing CinefestOZ and tourism in the South West region.
Jo has a wealth of experience in leadership roles within the Western Australia State Government and private sector where she is currently the Director of Gaines Advisory – an international strategic advisory and board search firm.
Duncan has experience in working at senior levels of government and communities in the spaces of culture, arts, education, training, planning and Aboriginal affairs.His previous roles include being the Dean of WAAPA, as well as the General manager of the WA Theatre Company and Black Swan Theatre. He was also a chair of the arts, sport and recreation industry training council, member of Australia Council boards and committees along with being a consultant to government on arts infrastructure projects. He recently retired from the public service where he acted as a Director General, receiving in 2013, an Order of Australia Medal. In addition to this Duncan was awarded a Churchill fellowship and a Canadian arts fellowship.
Cristofer completed an undergraduate Commerce Degree majoring in Professional Accounting at Murdoch University, working for accounting firms such as Horwath (WA) (now BDO) and one of the major 4 accounting firms KPMG as an auditor. After leaving the auditing field he obtained his Master Degree in Property, majoring in Valuations and became a Licenced Property Valuer working for Burgess Rawson for 13 years.
During his time as a Property Valuer, Cris along with his wife, owned and operated various hospitality venues throughout the Perth region. This expanded upon his wealth of experience and knowledge in business operations. He is currently the Director of his own consulting firm, specialising in local and international equity/ bond and currency markets, along with commercial property investments.
Pauline has been extensively involved in leadership and community roles in both Bunbury and Busselton over more than two decades, in the fields of higher education, health, tourism, sister city relationships and chambers of commerce. Her family are philanthropic supporters of the arts, events and capital infrastructure in the region, which contribute to the rich tapestry of life in the South West.
Dot is a Noongar woman from the south west of Western Australia, with ancestral ties to the north and has been living and working in the Kimberley region since 1977. Dot has worked in the media industry for the last 30 years in various capacities commencing as a radio volunteer to Station Manager, Trainer and later diversifying to the screen industry. Dot has served on numerous boards including the Inaugural Vice Chairperson of NITV, Screenwest, Australian International Documentary Conference, the National Indigenous Radio Service along with her current tenure as a non-Executive Director of SBS, Director of Goolarri Media Enterprises and Ramu Productions in Broome and the Chairperson of the national peak body, First Nations Media Australia.
Jub Clerc, a Nyul Nyul/Yawuru woman, worked on The Circuit S1&2, Bran Nue Dae, Mad Bastards, Satellite Boy, Jandamarra’s War, Jasper Jones, Mystery Rd S1, The Heights S2 and Total Control S3. She has written/directed Abbreviation a chapter of The Turning. Clerc’s debut feature – the MIFF Premiere Fund-supported SWEET AS – world premiered at MIFF 2022, winning the $70k Blackmagic Innovation Award, before winning the NETPAC Best Asia/Pacific Film from its international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and then winning 2023’s Berlinale Generation Crystal Bear for Best Film. Jub has just finished film her web-series Warms Props and is in Pre to direct episodes of Mystery Road Origin 2.
Louise qualified as a lawyer in 1987 with degrees from the University of Western Australia. Later Louise moved to London and joined a specialist white collar crime practice, returning to Perth in 1994 as a Commonwealth prosecutor. Children followed as well as work as a barrister at Wickham Chambers. In 2010 Louise experienced a sea-change setting up The Write Business with a colleague, providing support for businesses, government departments and not for profit organisations including developing their communications, policies, business documents and grant applications. Louise left The Write Business in 2022 and now works as a political advisor. She is a former Board member of The Stella Prize and has been on the Board of Fremantle Press, publishers since 2019 currently serving as Deputy Chair.
Sophie Garstone is an Australian Designer and multidisciplinary creative.
Born and raised in WA’s South West, Sophie completed a degree in Fashion Design & Technologies, studying at RMIT University and in the UK. After returning home, she built a successful career designing for leading fashion, lifestyle & bridal brands. In 2023, she was engaged to creative direct and deliver a rebrand for a leading Australian wedding vendor – a project that reaffirmed her passion for visual strategy and storytelling, and marked a natural career pivot.
Sophie now runs her own creative studio specialising in art direction, strategic brand identity, mixed-media deliverables and content, focused on ‘creativity, connection and making beautiful things’.
Joining the board in 2025, Sophie volunteers her unique skillset, experiences and local knowledge to the festival, wherever possible.
