In an industry that contributes $6.2 billion to GDP, the premier conference for the Australian screen production industry SCREEN FOREVER played host to local and international delegates and speakers with more than double the number of overseas attendees from the previous year.
Attracting 760 registrations from 13 countries, SCREEN FOREVER provided a forum for discussion, connection and partnerships between Australian and international industry practitioners, public broadcasters, commercial free-to-air broadcasters, subscription television, interactive and games developers, distributors, agents, financiers, lawyers, media, screen agencies and government.
Alongside key note speakers at this year’s conference which included Kim Williams AM who delivered the Hector Crawford Memorial Lecture, Network Ten Chief Executive Hamish McLennan, FOXTEL Chief Executive Richard Freudenstein, Beau Willimon, Show Runner for Emmy award winning series House of Cards and Kate Harwood, Head of Drama BBC UK, were sessions that actively promoted business discussion and partnership.
These included the “International Partnership Market”; “Ready Steady Pitch”, “Roundtables” with industry heavyweights and “Meet The Buyer” featuring broadcast, free-to-air and subscription television executives.
SCREEN FOREVER’S International Partnership Market replaced the previous SPAAMart and co-production market. Participation in the International Partnership Market is by application only and delivers successful applicants a limited number of meetings with targeted prospective business partners providing unparalleled opportunities for Australian producers to create, build on and develop relationships with leading international film
and television producers who are looking for co-venture or co-production opportunities.
Australian producers can also connect with other key partners such as local and foreign sales agents, financiers and distributors. In addition to the Workshops. Masterclasses and numerous informal and impromptu meetings that resulted from the conference’s networking opportunities, 195 meetings were scheduled over two days; seven countries were represented including a contingent from Canada who’s screen industry continues to grow representing $7.6bn of GDP.
“This year’s SCREEN FOREVER reflected a name change, our rebranding and a program that acknowledges the changes shaping our industry,” said Matthew Deaner, Executive Director, Screen Producers Australia. “We’re excited by the number of successful business outcomes to result from SCREEN FOREVER 2013 that will be announced over the coming months and already we are receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback for the speakers, sessions and networking opportunities SCREEN FOREVER uniquely provides in this country.”
SCREEN FOREVER 2014, presented by Screen Producers Australia, is scheduled for 17-21 November 2014 in Melbourne.
www.screenforever.com.au