Independent Cinemas Australia (ICA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Nick Hayes as its new Chief Executive Officer, commencing 10 December 2025.
Nick brings nearly three decades of experience across exhibition, distribution, acquisitions and industry advocacy, along with a long history of service to ICA and the independent sector.
ICA President Sharon Strickland said the Board was delighted to welcome Nick into the role
“Nick brings deep industry knowledge, strong relationships across the screen sector and an unwavering commitment to the independent cinema community. His experience spans cinema operations, distribution leadership, audience strategy and national advocacy. The Board is confident he will lead ICA into a new era of relevance, value and impact for our members.”
Nick has held senior positions at Umbrella, Icon Films and Dendy Cinemas, and previously served on the ICA Board from 2010 to 2023. He has also held board roles with the Australian Independent Distributors Association (AIDA) and the Australian Home Entertainment Distributors Association (AHEDA) and is the recipient of both the AIDA Independent Spirit Award and the ICA Mark Sarfaty CEO Award for Outstanding Service to Independent Cinema.
Accepting the appointment, Nick said, “It is an honour to serve the members of Independent Cinemas Australia and the industry I care so deeply about.
Independent cinemas are vital cultural and civic spaces in communities across the country, from Cinema Nova in Melbourne to my local The Dendy in Newtown, to regional centres such as Busselton, Bowral and Bright. ICA members welcome 13 million cinema visits each year, represent 80 percent of the independent sector, and account for one in four admissions nationwide. We are also a key home for Australian storytelling, delivering a third of Australian-film box office and close to 40 percent of all admissions to Australian films. I want to thank ICA President Sharon Strickland and the Board for their trust and support, and I cannot wait to be back in the popcorn trenches.”
About ICA
Independent Cinemas Australia (ICA) is a not-for-profit industry association that supports and represents independent cinema exhibitors across Australia. It provides advocacy, industrial relations advice, and other support services to a wide range of member cinemas, from small regional family businesses to larger metropolitan circuits. ICA also works to advance the interests of its members in discussions with government and industry organisations, ensuring a diverse range of cinematic experiences for audiences.