Veteran exhibition executive steps into expanded leadership position as Australia’s largest cinema chain looks to its next phase of growth.

HOYTS has appointed long-time executive Stephanie Mills to the newly created role of Managing Director, elevating one of Australia’s most respected cinema executives to oversee the company’s next chapter.

Effective immediately, the promotion comes as HOYTS continues to strengthen its position as Australia’s largest cinema exhibitor, with Mills taking on a broader leadership role focused on bringing together the company’s commercial, operational and customer-facing divisions.

Announcing the appointment, HOYTS Group President and CEO Damian Keogh described Mills as instrumental to the company’s recent success and praised her reputation across the global exhibition industry.

“Stephanie has been a standout performer in HOYTS’ ascendancy in recent years to the number one exhibitor in Australia,” Keogh said in a statement. “She has great passion and experience in the cinema sector and is recognised as a global leader in the field. This new role will focus on bringing together areas of the business into a more cohesive team to deliver the best possible customer experience in our cinemas.”

Mills brings more than two decades of experience across the Australian cinema and entertainment sectors.

Most recently serving as Director of Sales, Marketing & Content at HOYTS Group, she has overseen the company’s sales, marketing, film programming and corporate solutions divisions, leading commercial and content strategies across Australia and New Zealand.

Her appointment marks the latest step in a long career with the exhibition giant, where she has previously held senior leadership roles including General Manager of Marketing & Content and General Manager of Marketing. Before joining HOYTS, Mills spent more than a decade with Reading Entertainment Australia in a series of commercial leadership positions.

Beyond HOYTS, Mills has become a prominent figure within the broader screen industry. She serves as a director of Creative Content Australia, which promotes copyright awareness and the sustainability of Australia’s film and television industries, and is also a director of the Cinema Association Australasia, the peak body representing cinema operators across Australia and New Zealand.

Industry-wide, Mills has been recognised multiple times in international rankings celebrating influential women in global cinema and is widely regarded as one of the region’s leading exhibition executives.

Speaking about her appointment, Mills said cinemas remain uniquely positioned within the entertainment landscape despite the rapid evolution of audience viewing habits.

“Cinema remains one of the most powerful and engaging entertainment experiences,” she said. “We have a great business, incredible people and a real opportunity to continue evolving the experience we deliver to our guests. I’m looking forward to working with our internal teams, industry partners and stakeholders to build on our strengths and drive the next phase of growth for HOYTS.”

The creation of the Managing Director role comes as exhibitors continue to invest in premium cinema experiences and strengthen relationships with studios as the theatrical business continues its post-pandemic evolution. With a major slate of studio releases scheduled through late 2026 and into 2027, HOYTS is positioning itself to capitalise on renewed audience momentum while continuing to expand its premium offerings.

Mills’ appointment also reinforces the growing influence of Australian exhibition executives on the international stage, with her longstanding relationships across both the studio and cinema sectors making her one of the country’s most prominent leaders in theatrical exhibition.