Five Minutes with NCM Future Patron Susie Montague

Filmmaker, producer and philanthropist Susie Montague has spent more than three decades working across Australia’s film and cultural sectors, supporting storytelling, education and social justice initiatives.

As the founding donor of NCM Patrons Circle, she is helping support a new generation of public conversations about technology, communication and culture.

We sat down with Susie to ask her why she felt inspired to support NCM.

Five Minutes with Susie Montague

What drew you to support NCM?

Whether we like it or not, technology is here and it’s not going away. It’s shaping almost every part of our lives, often faster than we can properly understand it, and I think it’s incredibly important that people feel empowered to learn more so they can make informed choices for themselves, their families and their communities. What I’m drawn to with NCM is its emphasis on exploring ethical, inclusive technology and helping people critically engage with the changes happening around us. There’s a warmth to the way NCM approaches these conversations — it creates space for curiosity, discussion and learning without intimidation, making complex ideas feel human and accessible, and I think that’s important.

Why did NCM Patrons Circle appeal to you specifically?

What interested me about NCM Patrons Circle is that it’s not simply about supporting a museum in the traditional sense. NCM is actively building a new creative technology network in Australia, bringing together technologists, artists, educators and communities to think about how technology is reshaping culture and society. Through its Knowledge Hub and public programs, it’s helping build digital literacy while also encouraging ethical engagement with emerging technologies. That combination of creativity, education and critical thinking feels incredibly valuable to me. We need spaces like this, and we need to support them, so future generations can grow up informed, thoughtful and confident enough to ask important questions.

You’ve spent much of your life working in film and culture. Does NCM feel connected to that world?

Very much so. Communication, storytelling and technology have always shaped culture and society – they’ve never really existed separately. What I love about NCM is that it recognises technology as something deeply human, not just as machines. Museums like this help us unpack complexity in a thoughtful way. They encourage people to pause, reflect and engage with what’s happening around them instead of simply accepting it. I think that role is becoming increasingly important.

What interests you personally about technology?

Honestly, I’m still learning, and I quite like that. I don’t think anyone fully understands where all of this is heading, which is partly why it’s so fascinating. I want to better understand technological change and how it influences our relationships, our politics, our creativity, even our sense of truth. There are extraordinary opportunities, but there are also real risks, and I think we need spaces where both can be explored openly and thoughtfully.

Does being a mother and grandmother shape your thinking around this?

Absolutely. I think a lot about the world my children and grandchildren are growing up in. Technology is evolving so quickly, and I want them to have the ability not just to use it, but to think critically about it and understand its influence on their lives. Supporting places like NCM feels part of helping safeguard that future by helping to create communities that are curious and connected rather than overwhelmed by change.

NCM often brings different generations together. Is that meaningful to you?

Very much. I actually love the idea of learning about technology alongside children. Young people often approach new technologies with such openness and instinct, and there’s something hopeful about generations exploring these questions together. I think we all have something to learn from one another, and NCM creates that kind of shared experience beautifully.

Education seems to be a strong thread through your work.

Yes, very much so. Education and access to knowledge have always mattered deeply to me. Whether through film, advocacy or philanthropy, I’ve always believed that understanding can genuinely change lives and strengthen communities. What NCM is doing feels very contemporary in that sense — helping people make sense of the technological forces shaping society and giving them the confidence to engage with them thoughtfully.

Why do institutions like NCM matter right now?

Because we need spaces that encourage reflection, conversation and public understanding. Technology is influencing almost every aspect of our lives, often faster than society can properly process it. Institutions like NCM help slow things down enough for people to ask questions, explore ideas and think critically about where we’re heading. I think that’s essential for a healthy, connected society.

Susie Montague is a Melbourne based film producer, businesswoman and philanthropist. She produced the Indy hit, Pawno, which won the grand jury prize for best picture at the Cannes Cinema des Antipodes in 2016. Susie also produced Ride Like Girl with Sam Neill and is Executive Producer on Akoni, a feature film currently in post production. She is philanthropically supporting MIFF going digital, to continue to grow it’s audience and cement it’s reputation as one of the world’s leading film festivals. In addition to NCM, Susie is also a Patron for the New Victorian Pride Centre in St Kilda.

The NCM Patrons Circle brings together individuals who share our vision for an independent, ethical and creative technology future. Donors who contribute $2,500 or more become part of an exclusive circle helping to build digital literacy, safeguard Australia's communication heritage, and shape the future of human-centred technology.

We are not beholden to any platform, any government, or any commercial interest. The NCM Patrons Circle makes that independence possible.