The Reviews Are In...

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I had the pleasure of working with Nick Hayes for over 13 years at the Dendy/Icon Group, where he served as Head of Sales and Acquisitions.

Throughout his time with the company, Nick played a pivotal role in the development of multiple cinema builds and was a key contributor to many of our film successes. His deep understanding of the film industry, combined with his sharp instincts and commercial acumen, helped shape the direction of our film slate and strategic partnerships.

Nick is a passionate and knowledgeable ambassador for the film industry. He was always generous in sharing his wealth of insight and experience—not just with our team, but with the broader industry community.

Nick consistently demonstrated strong leadership, strategic thinking, and exceptional industry foresight. His ability to identify opportunities was second to none.

His collaborative spirit, integrity, and professionalism make him a joy to work with.
I wholeheartedly recommend Nick for any opportunity—he will be an invaluable asset to any organisation fortunate enough to have him on boardOur team has experience producing a wide range of film projects, including feature films, documentaries, and commercials. Let us help you bring your vision to life.

Working at the Sydney Film Festival, Nick Hayes demonstrated a wide-ranging capacity to operate across multiple arenas — from distribution to exhibition, event delivery to financial management. He possesses a rare talent for seeing both the big picture and the finer details, a critical skill when coordinating major events and managing numerous stakeholders.

Nick’s ability to build strong working relationships with employees, contractors, government, and industry contacts was essential to the smooth running of the organisation. He was consistently valued by staff and partners alike for his efficiency, approachability, and sincerity.

When he moved to Icon/Dendy, Nick’s relationship with the Festival evolved — taking on roles as a venue partner, film provider, and sponsor. In every capacity, he delivered with professionalism and ease, once again demonstrating his enduring passion and commitment to the film industry.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Nick Hayes across more than 15 years in the Australian film industry—first under his leadership at Dendy Cinemas, and later as a trusted distribution partner at Event Cinemas. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand the impact of Nick’s unwavering dedication to the industry and his ability to lead with both heart and strategic clarity.

Nick brings an exceptional mix of strategic thinking, operational insight, and deep respect for both audience and content. What truly sets him apart is his ability to lead teams with purpose and vision, while never losing sight of the cultural and community value that cinema brings. His passion for storytelling, commitment to excellence, and respect for the craft of filmmaking shine through in every role he takes on.

Whether in an executive leadership position or collaborating from the distribution side, Nick consistently delivers with professionalism, empathy, and authenticity. He brings people with him—motivating teams, fostering strong relationships, and championing the shared goal of connecting great films with audiences in meaningful ways.

His industry knowledge, long-term perspective, and clear communication style have made him one of the most trusted and respected figures in Australian film exhibition and distribution. I’ve valued not only his insight and collaboration, but also the integrity and genuine care he brings to every partnership. Nick is, without question, a passionate advocate for cinema and a driving force in shaping its future in Australia.

When Nick Hayes’ name pops up in your inbox or on your phone, it’s always a welcome sight!

Nick brings a rare combination of deep industry insight and genuine warmth to every interaction. His perspectives, honed over years of experience, are consistently thoughtful, considered, and well-informed. What truly sets Nick apart is his authenticity—his integrity, collaborative spirit, and ability to bring positive energy to any situation make him a pleasure to work with.

Having seen Nick in action at events like the Cannes Film Festival Market, it’s evident that his professional network is both wide-ranging and exceptionally well developed. People naturally gravitate toward him, and for good reason.

Over more than a decade of knowing and working with Nick, we’ve collaborated on numerous premiere and festival presentations. One of Nick’s standout strengths is his ability to engage with complex detail while keeping sight of the bigger picture. It’s clear to me that Nick is driven by a larger purpose and a genuine commitment to culture and community—and with his wealth of experience, he would be an asset to any organisation fortunate enough to have him.

During my many years as Senior Programmer at the New Zealand International Film Festival, I encountered and collaborated with a great number of film industry professionals across various domains. Nick stands out among them for his receptive and generous approach, as well as his genuine enthusiasm for film and the business of film distribution.

He consistently shared valuable insights and recommendations about films that might fit our programming, and ensured the smooth supply of prints and content for our selections. 

His professionalism made for seamless communication and collaboration, while his buoyant personality always made him great company whenever we crossed paths at festivals.

I thoroughly enjoyed working with him and sharing our passion for cinema, both professionally and informally

NZIFF, 1994 - 2024

I worked with Icon Films generally, and with Nick Hayes specifically, on my feature film Last Cab to Darwin. As the Writer/Director, alongside my Producers Greg Duffy & Lisa Duff, it was crucial for us to find a partner who understood not just the financing and distribution aspects, but also the ‘vibe’ of the entire project.

Last Cab began as a stage play, and the initial draft of the screenplay we presented to Nick still had a long journey ahead to become a polished, market-ready film. Nick’s comprehensive understanding of all facets of the industry, combined with his innate love for storytelling, meant that we never felt the need to look outside of our relationship with Icon for guidance—apart from necessary support from Screen Australia.

Nick was involved from the very first pitch meeting and test screenings, through our converted Saturday night screening at the Sydney Film Festival and a tour around Australia, leading to box office success and ultimately earning 13 AFI / AACTA Award nominations five years later.