We chat with Like a Photon Creative’s Kristin Souvlis about creating a fun workplace and Queensland’s underdog spirit
Kristen Souvlis never set out to become an award-winning and nationally recognised businessperson. But she learned that as a creative woman in Australia, if you want something, you have to make it yourself. In 2024 Kristen took out the First Among Equals Award at the InDaily 40 Under 40 Awards – the program’s highest honour, adding to her ever-growing list of accolades. We caught up with Kristen to chat about what it’s really like to work in the creative industry as a woman and the joys of a Queensland winter.
Since being awarded the First Among Equals award at last year’s InDaily 40 Under 40 Awards, Kristen Souvlis has been keeping herself busy. As one of the co-CEO’s at Like a Photon Creative (LAPC), Kristen and fellow co-founder Nadine Bates have been hard at work in their Brisbane-based studio, adding to LAPC’s $52-million worth of films lovingly crafted over the last eight years.
But it didn’t come easy. When the two women noticed the lack of opportunities for female creatives in Australia, they started creating them for themselves.
“Research by the Geena Davis Institute at the time said that for every one female-identifying character on screen in a children’s television show, there would be five male-identifying characters. We didn’t find that good enough, so we set out to fight that in our own way,” Kristen tells us.
Now, LAPC is the only female-led and owned children’s film and television production company in Australia.
The First Among Equals Award was designed to recognise someone who most strongly embodies the InDaily 40 Under 40 program, a title Kristen earned last year. This achievement was added to a host of Kristen’s other accomplishments, including three Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts Davey Awards, and being named an Outstanding Entrepreneurial Alumnus at the 2023 QUT Outstanding Alumni Awards, alongside Like a Photon Creative co-founder Nadine Bates.
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When reflecting on what being named First Among Equals has meant to her, Kristen shared that the award’s true worth has only revealed itself in the last few months. To Kristen, being recognised as one of InDaily 40 Under 40’s best and brightest means that she has the support of community that always has her back. Kristen credits this outpouring of support not just from her team and industry, but from her husband, children and parents too. In the production industry, this kind of support is invaluable.
Kristen describes Australia’s Arts industry as a full-contact sport, where the challenges can come from anywhere – whether it’s funding, creativity or opportunities.
“We’re so used to challenges, that to put down the weapons and enjoy the ride is the actual challenge!”
Since 2012, Kristen has been building LAPC’s list of partnerships with high-profile companies. From producing IP for Disney, Sesame Street and the ABC to upcoming projects with big names like Crayola and Macmillan, Kristen has established a stellar reputation for both herself and LAPC. But it’s the projects self-funded by LAPC that Kristen is most proud of.
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“The Tales from Sanctuary City projects are very close to my heart, because we built a multiverse, a studio and a culture throughout those films,” Kristen says. “I’m immensely proud of that.” The Tales from Sanctuary City is a world-first feature film series consisting of five films, which take inspiration from Australian wildlife.
Like a Photon Creative is a proudly Queensland-based company and Kristen credits the Queensland’s understated winters and underdog spirit as her favourite things about the state. She also sees Queensland as a place for the creative business sector to thrive.
“I think Queensland is uniquely placed to be a content hub of the world, and I’m so grateful to be a part of that.”
Kristen has been drawn to telling stories and making art since she was a child. It is arguably this keeping in touch with the inner child that has made Kristen, and LAPC in return, the leading production company it is today. Like a Photon Creative doesn’t build narratives around any set curriculums or agendas, but the team makes sure that each project fosters essential skills including empathy, curiosity and kindness.
“If you wrap those things in comedy, like hiding the vegetables in the spag bol, we think that’s the best outcome.”
What Kristen enjoys most about her job is how easy it is to bring a sense of fun into the workplace when you spend yours day making content for children.
“It’s outrageously fun and a genuine joy creating content for kids.”
The InDaily 40 Under 40 Awards program is helping to bring attention to a new generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders in the state. This year’s 40 Under 40 will be announced at the gala awards dinner on Thursday August 21. Purchase tickets here.
