Press release from Film Victoria
Victoria’s screen industry has recorded its second highest expenditure on record – more than $230 million – in a remarkable year of activity for screen practitioners and Film Victoria. Film Victoria CEO Sandra Sdraulig confirmed a total of 88 film, television and digital media projects commenced production Victoria in 2009/10, spending an estimated $233 million in the state.
“What makes this achievement so significant is that the majority of this spend has been driven by local activity from Victorian teams. This fantastic outcome is thanks to our talented screen practitioners and their energy, creative vision and high-calibre projects.”
Film Victoria’s funding programmes leveraged $179 million for the 2009/10 financial year – almost double the previous year – and created an estimated 5,371 full time equivalent jobs.
Local television production was the strongest performing sector, with the 37 productions supported by Film Victoria in 2009/10 contributing $87 million to the Victorian economy – a 56% increase on the previous year’s figure.
Significantly, Victorian films performed incredibly well at the box office – of the top 10 Australian films at the Australian box office, half were Victorian projects or from Victorian teams.
On the small screen, viewership of the 33 Film Victoria supported television programs on air this year exceeded 73 million views, signifying the strong appeal of our projects among Australian audiences.
Victoria continues its reputation as a leader in the games sector, winning eight of the nine Games Developers Association of Australia Game Developer awards in 2009. Film Victoria also received a record number of digital media applications – up 45% on the previous year, indicating that local companies are embracing the opportunity to develop commercially appealing content for new platforms.
Minister for Innovation Gavin Jennings said the Brumby Labor Government had a proud record of support for Victoria’s screen industry and recognises it as a major contributor to our state’s economy and social fabric. “The Victorian Government’s screen industry strategy, Our Vision on Screen, outlines initiatives worth $178 million over five years to drive the industry’s growth and sustainability, and to ensure fantastic results like this are maintained year after year. “These great outcomes are the result of a strong and dynamic screen industry, supported by our government through Film Victoria, and are particularly pleasing given the economic climate of the past year.”
Film Victoria’s full results for 2009/10 will be released in its annual report in September. For information about Film Victoria’s programmes, visit www.film.vic.gov.au.