Curiosity, courage and a $5 billion legacy: Lynne Benzie’s screen industry journey
Jun 17, 2026 · 32 min · 12 segments
How do you go from secretary on a working holiday to the head of a film studio which has attracted more $5 billion in production activity to the Gold Coast? In this week’s episode, Village Roadshow…
How do you go from secretary on a working holiday to the head of a film studio which has attracted more $5 billion in production activity to the Gold Coast? In this week’s episode, Village Roadshow Studios President **Lynne Benzie** shares the story of a career built on curiosity, resilience and a passion for creating opportunities for others. Lynne offers a rare, behind-the-scenes peek at the surprisingly diverse day-to-day life of a screen industry executive – everything from glamorous twice-yearly trips to LA to secure major productions, to ousting rogue possums and pigeons from sound stages. She also explains how the screen sector has become a major economic powerhouse for the Gold Coast, supporting allied businesses and 5000+ jobs, and driving investment across the region. It’s an inspiring conversation about leadership, vision, the diversity of job opportunities for a new generation, and the growing impact of the Gold Coast’s world-class screen industry. **About Lynne** Lynne Benzie is President of Village Roadshow Studios, with over 36 years of experience in the film, television and entertainment industry. Originally from the UK, she migrated to Australia in 1979 and built a diverse career across insurance, finance, legal services, information technology, the building industry and entertainment, including five years with EMI Records in sales and marketing. Since joining Village Roadshow in 1990, Lynne has been involved in promoting the industry locally and internationally and has strong client relationships with many studios, as well as producers across multiple platforms. She is on the boards of Ausfilm and Screen Queensland and Chair of the Gold Coast Film Festival. **Links** Village Roadshow Studios Lynne Benzie LinkedIn Village Roadshow Studios LinkedIn Village Roadshow Studios Facebook Village Roadshow Studios Instagram
How do you go from secretary on a working holiday to the head of a film studio which has attracted more $5 billion in production activity to the Gold Coast? In this week’s episode, Village Roadshow…
