Alumni Profile: Stephanie Pringle

Stephanie is an award-winning Australian casting director, podcast host, and co-founder of Chicken and Chips Casting. A trailblazer in the industry, she is renowned for her innovative approach, championing diversity and inclusion to ensure equal representation in the casting process. Her work has reshaped the film landscape, opening doors for countless aspiring actors. Her contributions have earned her global recognition. In 2018, alongside Alison Fowler, she made history as the first casting director to receive the prestigious B&T 30 Under 30 Award. She went on to win the Best of the Best Casting Directors’ title in 2021 and the B&T Diversity Award for her work on Cricket Australia’s "What we're made of" campaign. Her commitment to inclusive casting has also led to multiple nominations from the Casting Guild of Australia CGA.

This year, Stephanie was invited to speak at our International Women’s Day breakfast, where she addressed the importance of equal representation in film and television. In her insightful speech, she emphasised the need for conscious, inclusive casting to create opportunities for underrepresented voices. She also shared two key lessons from her career: “A closed mouth doesn’t get fed” and “Just do it.” These words serve as a powerful reminder to advocate for oneself and take bold action, regardless of the challenges ahead.

Beyond her casting work, Stephanie continues to shape the industry as a member of the Casting Guild of Australia’s Executive and Inclusion Committees and as an inaugural member of the Sydney Film Festival’s Directors’ Lab. Her ongoing influence is a testament to her passion, leadership, and commitment to driving meaningful change in the entertainment world.