[Press Release by TM Publicity]
The return of the Screen Producers Association of Australia annual conference and X/Media/Lab, the internationally acclaimed digital media event, to Sydney in 2009, have been welcomed by Minister Assisting the Premier on the Arts, Virginia Judge, and by New South Wales Film and Television Office (FTO) Chief Executive Tania Chambers following the Events NSW Annual Master Calender announcement on Thursday (16 October).
Ms Judge congratulated the Film and Television Office and Events NSW on behalf of the NSW Government for their determination to bring significant screen industry events to the State.
“Our creative industries make a terrific contribution to the NSW economy and enrich our lives,” Ms Judge said.
“These important events encourage collaboration between NSW screen professionals and their international colleagues, and drive innovation, excellence, innovation and investment in the State.”
The SPAA Conference and X/Media/Lab have been secured for a three year period of 2009, 2010 and 2011. They join other significant industry events to be held in NSW this year and next, including the recent Australian Director’s Guild Conference and Awards, the upcoming Australia Media Executive Leadership Program, the SPAA Fringe Conference and the inaugural Sydney Film Prize at the Sydney Film Festival.
Ms Chambers said the FTO had worked closely with Events NSW to identify key industry events and conferences such as these.
“I am delighted that the SPAA Conference and X/Media/Lab are returning to Sydney,” Ms Chambers said.
“The SPAA Conference is a meeting place for leading screen industry professionals from around Australia and internationally; X/Media/Lab is at the cutting edge of the digital media revolution and Sydney joins a network of global cities – each an international hotspot – who host it.
“Both events align with the FTO’s focus on an evolving screen industry where user-generated content, new digital platforms and the producer offset provide just some of the challenges and opportunities in the years ahead.”