The government’s export credit agency has provided a $69,000 loan to pay for post-production of Mindful Films’ documentary series Outback Fight Club.
It is the second loan made by the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (EFIC) to a screen production aimed at the international market following last year’s $496,000 loan to Goalpost Pictures for its telemovie Panic at Rock Island.
Outback Fight Club aired in two one-hour parts on SBS in January and the new loan will help writer/director/executive producer Paul Scott and series producer Isabel Perez pay for previously accrued post-production costs including editing, soundtrack, legal, business and marketing expenses.
“Screen Australia and SBS helped us to finance production of the series but we needed further funds to pay for post-production expenses before we will receive the Producer Offset through the tax system,” Perez said in a statement. “EFIC’s loan will increase our cash flow and help us to meet those costs.”
The documentary explores the dying world of tent boxing where troupes tour small towns and fight for cash.
Local productions must be eligible for the Producer Offset and have an international distribution agreement to qualify for EFIC’s loan facility. New York-based Iliad Entertainment holds the worldwide (excluding Australia) distribution rights for Outback Fight Club.