NSW Government minister calls on Australian TV networks to back women directors

June 21, 2018 10:22

A New South Wales Government minister has called on TV broadcasters to back the state’s initiatives to promote female talent in the screen industry.

Minister for the Arts Don Harwin was speaking alongside directors and actors Rachel Griffiths and Leah Purcell at the launch of the #SheDirects program, which will provide $100,000 for up to four female-directed TV drama projects.

Rachel Griffiths, Minister Don Harwin and Leah Purcell at the #SheDirects launch. Photo by Fiora Sacco

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Paul Wallbank

Paul Wallbank was news editor at Mumbrella between June 2017 and June 2019. Previously he's covered business and technology issues for outlets ranging from The Australian and Sydney Morning Herald to the ABC and Business Spectator.

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2 COMMENTS

Screen Siren 21 Jun 18

“…the company would not support or fund events that included all male panel.” Freedom of choice out the window.

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Manuel O'Reilly 27 Jun 18

I understand the sentiment of parity and am a big supporter

But I have to ask some questions. Isn’t Screen NSW (oops … Create NSW) there to provide stimulus and impetus to promote and support talent in the NSW TV/Film production industry?

So how come, in order to make their parity quota, is Screen NSW (old habits die hard) supporting projects that have to employ interstate gender-based appointments to make their quota when perfectly capable and experienced local talent is available but don’t qualify to the quota because they happen to be male? (And no I am not talking about myself but friends in the industry).