From the candy bar to Cannes, Nick Hayes’ career spans the full breadth of the Australian screen sector. He has worked at every level of the cinema business — from front-of-house operations and site management to national programming, marketing and acquisitions. Nick has held senior leadership roles at Sydney Film Festival, Dendy Cinemas, Icon Films and Umbrella Entertainment, giving him a rare, whole-of-industry perspective on how films are made, marketed, programmed and ultimately experienced by audiences.
Nick Hayes is the Chief Executive Officer of Independent Cinemas Australia (ICA), the national peak body representing independent cinemas across every state and territory. He commenced in the role in December 2025, bringing nearly three decades of industry experience.
Nick previously served on the ICA Board from 2010 to 2023, and has held board positions with the Australian Independent Distributors Association (AIDA) and the Australian Home Entertainment Distributors Association (AHEDA). He is the recipient of the AIDA Independent Spirit Award (2023) and ICA’s Mark Sarfaty CEO Award (2018), recognising his longstanding service to independent cinema.
Nick has championed Australian storytelling, expanded regional cinema access, and delivered nationally recognised audience research projects exploring cinema geography, diversity and the changing theatrical landscape. His work continues to bridge creativity, community and commercial outcomes — staying true to the journey that began in the candy bar at Hoyts George Street and now shapes policy at a national level.
As CEO of ICA, Nick is focused on delivering strong member value, renewing ICA’s advocacy and research agenda, strengthening sector partnerships, and ensuring independent cinemas remain vital cultural and civic spaces for audiences and communities nationwide.
He holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Sydney and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD). Outside of work, Nick is a passionate traveller who has visited 59 countries and hiked the Camino de Santiago, an 800 km pilgrimage across Spain. He is also a dedicated ocean swimmer, regularly participating in open-water events such as the Bondi to Bronte Swim.
Nick is based in Sydney and continues to work closely with filmmakers, distributors, exhibitors and government to advance a sustainable and audience-centred future for Australian cinema.
Nick is a member of:
- Board of Directors - The Media Resource Centre and Mercury Cinema, Adelaide
– AACTA / AFI (Australian Academy of Cinema & Television Arts)
– Australian Cinema Pioneers – NSW Branch
– Royal Agricultural Society of NSW
– Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD)
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