Bestall to lead Screenwest

Rikki Lea Bestall has been appointed chief executive of Screenwest, replacing Willie Rowe on the completion of his three-year contract.

A graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Ms Bestall worked at Disney Channel Australia and a co-producer for movies including When in Rome and The Soloist.

She previously worked at Screenwest from 2010 to 2018, as development manager, director development and head of development and production.

“Joining Screenwest at this time presents an opportunity to work with the industry and key stakeholders to develop new areas of growth fuelled by the government’s unprecedented commitment to the industry,” Ms Bestall said.

“I am looking forward to meeting the challenge set out in the recently released, Screenwest Strategic Plan which outlines ambitious growth targets over the next five years.”

Screenwest chair John Driscoll said Ms Bestall’s success and local, national and international industry experience as a key drive for the appointment.

“The WA screen industry is poised for a period of unprecedented growth and in Rikki we have a CEO who can lead the organisation drawing on her success and well-deserved respect across the WA screen industry,” Mr Driscoll said.

Ms Bestall is also joining the Screenwest board in May. 

The screen industry in WA is set to change in the next few years, with the state government announcing $100 million to establish a film hub at Victoria Quay.