EMMA
DAINES

about the jury

Emma Daines’ 36-year industry experience spans prominent advertising agencies, leading production companies, and renowned post-production facilities in Australia, UK, and Asia, working with some of the most acclaimed directors and producers locally and internationally.

Recognized as one of Australia’s most experienced VFX Producers and opening up the first privately woman-owned and led VFX studio, Fin Design + Effects in Sydney over 22 years ago, Emma has been a significant pioneer of VFX producing in Australia.

During that time Emma has expanded the Fin network to studios in Melbourne, Singapore, Shanghai, and Los Angeles, establishing Fin as one of the respected leading VFX companies in the world.

Emma’s vast industry and knowledge of high-end visual effects coupled with steadfast leadership, has enabled her to double her team to over 180 artists in just 3 years, delivering ambitious visuals that have been lauded with a host of prestigious awards across notable features and commercial work including AEAF, AACTA, Clio, Cannes Lion, Spike, Ciclope, New York Festival Awards, Adfest, Axis, AICP, AWARD, and Gerety Awards.

Further to craft gongs, Emma won Woman in International Business Award at the Australian NSW Premier Export Awards (2017 & 2022) and Titan: Platinum Female Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2022); while Fin Design + Effects won the SHOTS 2022 Asia Pacific award for Best VFX Company of the Year.

Over the years Emma has sat on numerous creative juries, most recently 2022 AIPC Post Judge, 2022 Adfest Film Craft & New Director, 2019 & 2017 LIA Production & Post-Production and 2015 Clio Film Techniques.

A passionate advocator for parity and inclusion, Emma is an active mentor in the advertising production industry. She is a 2023 Creative LIAisons coach and co-founder of OWNED, a global coalition with over 200 members, dedicated to championing women in all aspects of commercial production.