Debra Richards

Debra Richards took up the role Director of Studio & Production Affairs at Netflix in September 2019, covering studio affairs, production and content policy for the APAC region. She has over 35 years communications, media & screen industry experience, previously as CEO of the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA), a director of Australia’s broadcasting regulator, then the Australian Broadcasting Authority (& Tribunal) and as the immediate past CEO of Ausfilm, attracting major production and post production work to Australia.

Ms Richards has been involved in most screen content policy and production industry issues during her working life as regulator, stakeholder and advocate covering local content, sports rights, copyright, digital conversion and distribution disruption. She was also an advisor to a previous federal Communications & Arts Minister, Michael Lee.

Ms Richards is a Vice President of the Communications and Media Law Association (CAMLA) Board; a Director of the International Institute of Communications, Australia (IICA); Deputy Chair of the Alcohol Beverage Advertising Code (ABAC) adjudication panel; a Director of Northcott, a professional member of the Australian Film Institute (AFI) and a marriage celebrant.

Ms Richards has recently been reappointed as a Member of the Australian Film, Television & Radio School’s (AFTRS) Council (and is currently Deputy Chair) and a member of the NSW Film & Television Industry Advisory Committee.