4 | Kirsty Stark (Emmy Award Winning Producer)

Today’s guest is Kirsty Stark, an Emmy award winning producer, start up founder, speaker, podcast host and screen industry leader. Kirsty’s screen credits include children’s series First Day, Stateless (co-producer for Matchbox Pictures), feature film A Month of Sundays (Madman Production Company) and ABC iview series Goober, Unboxed and Wastelander Panda.Kirsty founded and runs independent production company Epic Films, and recently launched CrewHQ, a nationwide crewing platform for production freelancers around Australia. Kirsty is also co-host of We Interupt This Broadcast, and is Deputy Chair of The Mercury. In this episode, Kirsty discusses how The Mercury’s new board members helped the organisation overcome its challenges in 2022, highlighting the key strategic priorities that have elevated this beloved screen icon to new heights. Kirsty also offers practical tips for filmmakers submitting to film festivals and reflects on the differences between producing films with and without major funding from state funding bodies.Chapters00:05 - First Job in the Industry01:03 - Strategies Used to Help The Mercury Overcome Challenges03:36 - Difference Between Producing Films With vs. Without Major Funding06:51 - Tips When Submitting to Film Festivals08:31 - How to Handle Feedback10:13 - Feedback on Grant Applications12:27 - Wrap UpIf you enjoyed today’s conversation, please subscribe and follow us on Instagram and Facebook for all the updates. If you’d like to get involved and have specific questions for our guests, feel free to send us your questions, and we’ll look to include them in future episodes. Be sure to tell your friends and consider leaving us a review and rating to help spread the word.  Thanks for listening.Submissions for AIFF26 are currently open. Enter SOFTSTICKS for 30% off the entry fee. The Soft Sticks Podcast is presented by the Adelaide Independent Film Festival and is hosted by Tom Kerby.This episode was edited and mixed by Melissa Pons. You can find her latest work here. For more information, please visit our website or follow us on Instagram and Facebook. This conversation was recorded in The Mercury’s Sound Lab via Riverside. Not a member of Australia’s only subscription based cinema and screen industry support organisation? Sign up today via themercury.org.au/subscriptions About AIFFThe Adelaide Independent Film Festival (AIFF) is an annual celebration of short films, proudly presented in two beloved cinemas in the festival state of South Australia. The 2026 Adelaide Independent Film Festival will take place between 3 - 4 October at the heritage-listed Capri Theatre and The Mercury.