AMBASSADOR

With a phenomenal six-decade career, Michael is an Australian icon who has undeniably shaped the entertainment industry. Having earned his place in the prestigious Australian Film Walk of Fame for his exceptional contributions, Michael is a true luminary, showcasing his versatile talent across television, film, and stage both in Australia and beyond. His impressive resume boasts appearances in some of the nation’s most successful productions.

As an Australian icon and our all-time favorite, we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Michael back as our Ambassador. Join us in extending a warm welcome to Michael as he returns to Stellar! Secure your VIP ticket for an exclusive opportunity to mingle with Michael and his fabulous wife Helen in the VIP pavilion and terrace.

DIRECTOR

Stef Smith is a distinguished figure in the film and television industry whose remarkable achievements in the world of storytelling have garnered her widespread acclaim. 

Stef recently directed the Stan Original Film “Jones Family Christmas,” starring iconic Australian talent Heather Mitchell.

As the creator, showrunner, and series director of the AACTA-nominated, AWGIE-winning television miniseries “It’s Fine, I’m Fine,” Stef has earned accolades, with the Sydney Morning Herald dubbing it the “best Australian drama of the year.”

Stef directed and produced the ABC iView sketch comedy series “The Lost Tapes,” funded by ABC and Screen Australia as part of their Fresh Blood initiative.

ACTOR / DIRECTOR / WRITER

Jackson’s journey in entertainment began with the 2014 ABC sketch series THIS IS LITTLETON. Since then, he’s graced screens worldwide, from DEADLOCH on PrimeVideo to THE NEWSREADER on ABC, MR INBETWEEN on FX, and FIVE BEDROOMS on Paramount+. His AACTA-nominated short film “HATCHBACK” is a Stellar favorite.

In 2023, Jackson shared the screen with Hollywood stars John Cena and Zac Efron in Peter Farrelly’s upcoming comedy feature, RICKY STANICKY, set for an early release in 2024.

But Jackson is more than an actor; he’s a talented writer and director, known for award-winning short films like UBER X-CITING DAY (Peninsula Film Festival: Best Screenplay) and THE DIVORCE (Hollywood Indie Film Awards: Best Comedy, Best Screenplay) and a genuinely good human.

DIRECTOR

John’s remarkable career has been adorned with accolades, beginning with his first short film, Mrs McCutcheon which screened at Stellar in 2019. Mrs McCutcheon not only won Best Australian Short Film at the Melbourne International Film Festival but also garnered 52 awards worldwide, receiving an AACTA nomination and winning him Best Director at the 2018 Australian Directors Guild Awards. His feature film, H is For Happiness continued his success, winning the Film Prize at Cinefest Oz 2019 and the Grand Jury Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2020, receiving ten nominations at the 2020 AACTA Awards, including for Best Film and Best Direction.

Adding to his achievements, John’s second short film, Tarneit screened as the Opening Night Film at Flickerfest 2023 and was a crowd favourite at Stellar this year winning our coveted VA Digital Audience Choice Award.

John is currently immersed in post-production for his second feature film, Runt based on the novel by Australian author Craig Silvey, which we are super excited about. 

DIRECTOR

With an impressive career spanning feature films, TV, documentaries, and short films, Lucy is a four-time Best Director nominee by the ADG and the winner of the 2016 AACTA Award for Best Short Film with “Dream Baby.”

Lucy’s storytelling prowess shines in episodic television, having directed episodes for popular series like Doctor Doctor, The Unlisted, Amazing Grace, and Irreverent. Her recent role as the set-up director for the Sundance/STAN series “Totally Completely Fine” speaks volumes about her contribution to the industry.

Adding to her illustrious career, Lucy directed the opening story “We the Spiders” for the anthology feature film, “Here Out West” (Co-Curious/ABC, 2021). This film, alongside directors Ana Kokkinos, Leah Purcell, Julie Kalceff, and Fadia Abboud, premiered as the Opening Night Film at the 2021 Sydney Film Festival, earning a nomination for the 2022 AACTA Award for Best Film

ACTOR

Hailing from Perth, Western Australia, Asher made her mark in the Australian television drama series “The Heights,” captivating audiences with her portrayal of Rose across two seasons. Her exceptional performance contributed to “The Heights” winning the esteemed Best Casting in a TV Drama award at the Casting Guild of Australia Awards and the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series at the Equity Awards.

Asher has also graced the big screen with roles in the comedy-drama film “Rams” (2020) and the acclaimed “How to Please a Woman” (2022). However, it was her breakout role in the Netflix series “Heartbreak High” that truly showcased her versatility as an actress. Asher’s portrayal of Harper Mclean, where she shaved her head on-screen for the role, earned her a nomination for the AACTA Audience Choice Award for Best Actress.

MC

With a career spanning over 35 years, Scott has made his mark as an award-winning director, actor, writer, and producer in TV, film, and theatre, both locally and internationally. Scott’s impressive credits include the internationally acclaimed reboot of Heartbreak High, where he reprised his iconic role of Peter Rivers, as well as his AACTA nominated feature film directorial debut, Darklands.