Who is Stuart Buchanan?
I’m Stuart Buchanan, Head of Screen for Sydney Opera House, and I look after a program that celebrates all facets of screen, digital and film culture.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
People often tell me I have the best job in the world, and I often believe them. It’s hard to imagine a job that would bring me more joy; other than buying an old cinema in a beautiful part of Australia, one that is on the brink of closure, and spending my days breathing life back into it.
Who inspires you and why?
Watching cinema audiences at the Opera House. When we restarted the Playhouse Cinema in 2024, there hadn’t been a regular film program for four decades – so it wasn’t a given that people would choose the Opera House for a cinema experience.
I’m inspired by the fact that the experiment has worked, and that we’re welcoming lovers of film back to the House. We’re also making space for local organisations and festivals to program films for their community, and I’m constantly inspired by the range and quality of films that are being showcased, especially those made by local filmmakers.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Reopen local cinemas in every town.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
I was born in Scotland, but it’s too far and too expensive to get back there very often. Hence, Tasmania is my favourite spot as it looks like a carbon copy of most of my homeland. And, thankfully, just as cold, with great whisky.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
The Opera House is a given, as my personal backstage tour has been honed with fascinating / useless trivia over many years, and I’m always keen to share those with a friendly audience. Other than that, I’d be making sure we get to any of The Ritz, Golden Age, AGNSW Cinematheque or Orpheum to showcase what beautiful cinemas we have in the city.
What are you currently reading?
I’ve been binge reading the original books that inspired classic sci-fi films – Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (aka Blade Runner) by Philip K. Dick; Monkey Planet (aka Planet of the Apes) by Pierre Boulle; and Simulacron-3 by Daniel F. Galouye, which was adapted by Rainer Werner Fassbinder in 1973 as World On A Wire, a key forerunner to The Matrix. As with most adaptations, many plot points and B-stories don’t make their way into the final film, so it’s fascinating to read ‘expanded versions’ of the stories that those movies wanted to tell.
What are you currently listening to?
Kim Gordon’s new record Play Me – she’s sounding just as relevant as challenging as she was in the Sonic Youth days. Also loving the new record Confession from Melbourne’s Carla dal Forno – exquisite experimental pop.
Happiness is?
Settling in for a retro double bill with fellow film nerds in a super comfortable cinema, air conditioning on moderate, premium choc tops at the bar, house lights off until the credits have rolled.
What does the future hold for you?
Taking the Opera House’s relationship with film to the next level. There are some exciting plans for 2027 and 2028 in the works.
Stuart is the Head of Screen for Sydney Opera House – who has curated a series of 12 music films for Vivid Live – which screens in the Playhouse from 28 – 31 May 2026.
Image: Stuart Buchanan – photo by Daniel Boud