Meet the 40 Under 40 leaders giving the creative industries the old razzle-dazzle
From stage to screen to music streams, these creative leaders are showing the world how the Sunshine State shines.
Giuliana Bonel
The Empire: General Manager
Hailing from Far North Queensland, Giuliana Bonel holds a personal passion for regional arts engagement. For more than 17 years she has worked in the performing arts industry at organisations including the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Brisbane Festival, Queensland Music Festival and Brisbane Powerhouse (where she was essential in delivering iconic experiences like the Brisbane Comedy Festival, MELT Festival and Night Feast). Now, as the general manager of The Empire, Giuliana oversees the largest performing arts precinct in regional Australia and remains dedicated to delivering enthralling and transformative artistic experiences to audiences from all walks of life.
What’s your favourite hidden gem or lesser-known attraction in Queensland?
Lake Eacham (Crater Lakes National Park), which is tucked away in the lush tropical rainforest landscapes of the Atherton Tablelands.
Tom Oliver
Tom Oliver Productions: Founder, CEO and Artistic Director
Tom Oliver was on a path to fame and fortune. Picking up lead roles around Australia and overseas, serving a stint on Kylie Minogue’s team on The Voice and joining Marcia Hines’ band, his next step was a move to London to take the West End by storm. Then Covid hit and Tom found himself back in his parents’ house in Wynnum. Not one to be discouraged, Tom started Tom Oliver Productions (TOP) in their spare room and in two months had taken the Wynnum Fringe Festival from concept to opening night. In March 2023, Tom Oliver and the festival received the Gold Matilda Award for outstanding contributions to the Arts & Entertainment industry in Queensland. TOP has worked with renowned artists, including Ian Moss, Kate Miller-Heidke, Marcia Hines AM, Daryl Braithwaite and more. His next project is the restoration of a rundown Spiegeltent from Augathella, to create a new cultural hub for Wynnum Fringe and other festivals.
If you could meet any living person, who would it be?
John Mayer
Kristen Souvlis
Like A Photon Creative: Co-Founder and Co-CEO
Kristen Souvlis has risen to prominence over the last decade with her work in Australian children’s entertainment. Spearheading Like a Photon Creative with her business partner Nadine Bates, Kristen has co-created and produced original IP for the biggest names in the media world, including Disney (Balloon Barnyard, 2016), Sesame Street (2014–2020) and more. Like a Photon also championed the first-ever – as well as the second-, third- and fourth-ever – female animation directors to direct their own feature films and the first-ever First Nations person to write and direct their own animated feature, as well as the first First Nations actress to lead an animated feature film. Like A Photon Creative is currently in the process of closing a five-feature-film slate deal with international investors.
One rule you live your life by?
Don’t be a dick.
Jo-Anne Brechin
Nudge Co Studio: Director
Raised in a low-income family with no connections to leverage her way into the film industry, Jo-Anne Brechin felt the odds of succeeding as a filmmaker were stacked against her. But with the support of her family, her community and an unflinching determination to make her dreams a reality, she succeeded. Jo-Anne has held writing, directing and producing positions at top production studios, worked with celebrated stars and been recognised with multiple awards, both globally and locally. In 2020 she founded Nudge Co Studio (NCS), a Brisbane-based studio with a portfolio that boasts five feature films, a social impact docuseries and more. Its name is inspired by the Tom Stoppard quote: “If you get the right words in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.” NCS prides itself on diversity and inclusivity, showcasing untold stories that inspire viewers to take action and make a difference in the world around them.
If you could master one skill, what would it be?
I’d love to learn to speak multiple languages fluently. Imagine the endless possibilities for storytelling and cultural exchange. Also, I’d like to learn to time travel, so I can re-watch Bridgeton for the first time all over again.
Viv Mellish
GYROstream: Co-Founder, Director and CMO
Viv Melish was part of the initial team that founded GYROstream in 2018. An acronym for GET YOUR RECORD OUT, GYROstream has found exponential success in the past six years and is now Australia’s leading digital music distribution and artist services company for independent artists, with offices in Australia, USA, UK, Canada, Brazil, Philippines and India. Notable artists working with the company include Dom Dolla, Emma Memma, Polish Club, The Amity Affliction, Eskimo Joe, Jem Cassar-Daley, Lithe and Willow Smith. Through her voluntary work as a board member with QMusic, Queensland’s peak music industry body, Viv also aims to create more opportunities for Queensland artists and creatives to pursue successful careers without having to decamp to Melbourne or Sydney.
What’s your favourite movie or TV show of all time, and why?
I love Almost Famous. It’s what inspired me to get into music journalism.
