Press release from Queensland Screen Industry Council
An exciting new year of a new decade with new leadership promising a new and productive beginning for the Queensland screen industry.
That’s how the Queensland Screen Industry Council (QSIC), which represents Queensland film, television and other screen content professionals, has welcomed the appointment of leading local producers to the board of Screen Queensland
QSIC Chair, Cathy Overett, said the appointments were the latest welcome initiative of Screen Queensland as it continues to consult and work with the Queensland screen industry.
She said the appointments ushered in a new era of industry-government cooperation and laid the foundation for a much needed boost to the Queensland screen industry.
The industry appointments include script writer, producer and lawyer, Chris Nyst and Cathy Overett, who is producer and managing director of New Holland Pictures, as well as Chair of QSIC and Queensland Chapter Head of the Screen Producers Association of Australia (SPAA).
The Council also welcomed the appointments of QUT Vice Chancellor, Professor Peter Coaldrake as Screen Queensland Chair, and Warner Village Theme Parks Chair, John Menzies.
“We’re extremely pleased that Screen Queensland is consulting with us on significant policy and operational matters and that our recommendations, including increased and direct industry representation on the board, are being embraced by government.
These appointments are in keeping with other welcome initiatives under the leadership of Screen Queensland CEO, Maureen Barron, and her team.” Ms Overett said.
She said the industry appointments would assist the board by bringing strong practical knowledge of the everyday issues, challenges and opportunities that face the Queensland screen industry.
“It appears the focus has shifted back to building a strong local industry – creative, production, and businesses – and to consulting with professionals at the screen-face.”
Ms Overett said the new focus augured well for reshaping international production arrangements in Queensland to deliver more sustainable creative and economic benefits to the local industry and economy.
QSIC is advocating co-productions with international producers as a way to help build Queensland screen businesses and to continue to attract overseas productions to the state regardless of the strength of the Australian dollar.
“Funds are limited, so we are keen to work with government to make the available dollars work harder. Co-productions enable us to bring monies other than Screen Queensland’s to productions in the state, give local producers an ongoing stake in films that may otherwise only rent our services, increase turnover for our production companies, and are more likely to hire and develop world class local crew at a sustainable level.”