Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason has flagged an increase in development investment from next month in order to help the industry weather the coronavirus crisis, and the agency is looking at how it can enhance other industry support measures.
"At Screen Australia, we are focusing on ensuring funding continues to be injected into the sector as normal, and we will be ready to adapt when the sector moves into recovery mode."
Apart from the cancellation of MIPTV and Canneseries, the coronavirus pandemic hasn’t affected the screen industry in Australia yet.
Screen Australia has selected 11 creatives selected to travel to New York in April as part of the Talent USA: New York. The delegation will attend the Australian International Screen Forum where they take part in professional development and networking opportunities.
Given the relentless competition from Netflix and other streaming services, Australian exhibitors and distributors can take heart from the 2019 box office total, which was the third highest ever.
Screen Australia expects to support the same number of documentary projects each year despite the proposed scrapping of the Producer Equity Program (PEP).
"You'll find us moving the dial away from what I call 'traditional funding', because last time I checked pretty much anyone under 30 is not watching films. They're not watching our TV. They watch the online stuff. So we're going to move more and more into that space."
For director Ben Lawrence, the reaction to his feature debut 'Hearts and Bones' at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) was both “emotional and overwhelming”.