Screen Australia has released research which shows overwhelming public support for local screen content.
The survey of 1000 people found that 91 per cent believed it was quite important or very important that Australia had a film and television industry producing local content. The most important reason – cited by 21 per cent of respondents – was to make sure that Australian culture isn't overwhelmed by American culture, given the volume of film and TV content produced by Hollywood.
Employment and ensuring that Australia's stories and important events are told and recorded were nominated as the next most important reasons (both nominated by 13 per cent). The survey did not include attitudes to government subsidy.
The results will be used by a delegation of industry heavyweights including directors Gillian Armstrong and Stephan Elliott and actor Sigrid Thornton who are visiting Canberra in support of the industry. The Government is reviewing the screen sector as part of its convergence review and cultural policy discussion paper.
Screen Australia’s chief executive Ruth Harley said the research demonstrates the value Australians place on Australian content.
“While we acknowledge the tangible economic benefits of the screen industry, we must also acknowledge the myriad of ways that Australian stories contribute to our social belonging and sense of national identity,” she said in a statement.
Screen Australia also launched a social media campaign, Celebrate Australian Stories, which includes the the top 10 Australian movie quotes as voted by the public.
The survey, conducted by Auspoll and commissioned by Screen Australia, can be found at www.screenaustralia.gov.au/austories_research.