Feast Festival Announces New Leadership Team Ahead of 30th Anniversary
Feast Festival has appointed a new Executive Director and Creative Director ahead of this year’s event.
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Adelaide’s flagship queer arts event Feast Festival is stepping into a new era with the dual appointments of Executive Director and Creative Director.
Feast Festival is proud to announce the appointments of Skye Bee (they/them) as Executive Director and Katherine Sortini (she/they) as Creative Director as the festival heads towards its 30th anniversary next year.
This is the first time both leadership roles have been filled simultaneously, with Bee and Sortinit bringing what Feast Festival labels “a powerful combination of operational expertise, creative vision and deep community connection.”
Bee, a multidisciplinary artist, producer and performer working on Kaurna Yerta, has a long and distinguished career in the arts and is excited to tackle the role of Executive Director.
“Feast has always been more than a festival,” says Bee. “It is a living, breathing expression of queer culture, connection, and joy. This next chapter is about deepening that impact, creating space for bold artistic voices, and ensuring that access, inclusion, and care are embedded in everything we do.”
Sortini has been appointed to the newly created Creative Director role after proving herself as Feast Festival’s Creative Producer and Artist and Venue Liaison.
“Feast has always held an incredible amount of creative energy and this festival belongs to the community,” says Sortini. “For me, this next chapter is about harnessing that energy and giving it form - shaping a program that is bold, inclusive, and deeply reflective of the people it exists for. I’m excited to build something that feels both locally grounded and unapologetically expansive.”
Adds Bee, “Katherine is a powerful creative, with a remarkable body of work and the passion and vision to move us forward in meaningful ways. Her appointment reflects our commitment to a strong and ambitious creative future for Feast.”
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“This invigorating change for Feast Festival is making a statement to the significant contribution, place and relevance of South Australia’s queer culture, our communities, creative innovation and belonging,” says Penny McAuley, Chair of the Board.
“As we approach our 30th year, our focus is on unity, collaboration, and sustainability for the future. The Board, Executive Team, Staff and Volunteers of Feast Festival share not only the vision, yet the manner in which we will achieve these objectives. Where kindness, courage and strategy simultaneously sit at the table of success.
“Are we excited and ready for this new chapter? You better believe we are. Our ambition is to inspire you to join us on this journey. Welcome Home.”
This year’s edition of Feast Festival runs from Sunday 1 to Sunday 22 November and is centred around the theme of Joy.
“Joy is an act of rebellion,” explains Bee. “In a world that often asks queer people to shrink, to justify, or to survive quietly, choosing joy is powerful. It is resistance. It is visibility. It is community. This Festival is an invitation to celebrate that, loudly and unapologetically.”
Feast Festival 2026 runs from Sunday 1 to Sunday 22 November. Keep up to date with all things Feast Festival here.
