Woody Woodpecker is set to fly into Victoria, with the state to house production on the sequel to the 2017 family film.
The Federal Government has announced $8.7 million in funding for 158 independent cinemas under the Supporting Cinemas’ Retention Endurance and Enhancement of Neighbourhoods (SCREEN) Fund, but remains coy on whether assistance will be provided to major exhibitors.
The ABC has used its submission to the Federal Government's media reform green paper review to request an additional $90 million in funding, while at the same time joining SBS in dismissing content obligations as "unnecessary".
The Australian Directors' Guild and Australian Writers' Guild have joined Screen Producers Australia in proposing that SVOD and AVOD services be required to spend 20 per cent of their Australian revenue on local content as part of their submissions to the Federal Government's media reform green paper.
Independent Cinemas Australia is inviting federal MPs and the wider community to visit local cinemas throughout next week in an attempt to raise awareness of the pandemic's impact on its members and secure greater financial support.
Thanks to Australia’s careful management of the pandemic, the industry is in the midst of a production boom. The government hopes to support the sector to leverage both this “once-in-a-century” opportunity and the global demand for content in the years ahead, writes Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher.
In a major overhaul of the regulatory system, the Federal Government is scrapping the fixed quotas for local drama, children's programming and documentary and harmonising the film and TV Producer Offsets at 30 per cent.
Screen Australia and the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) will have more money to invest in productions and skills training respectively thanks to extra funding from the Federal Government.