SPAA calls for minister to spread the TV love to film
The industry body representing Australia’s screen producers has used the appointment of new arts minister Simon Crean to stake a claim for more cash for film makers.
Geoff Brown, executive director of the Screen Producers Association of Australia, said that SPAA welcomed the appointment but it was time to do for the film industry what the Rudd government did for television.
Referring to the $250m rebate on licence fees handed to the television networks Brown said:
“It is fair to say that the previous Labor government provided financial support to the broadcasters on an unprecedented scale. We want to see some balance restored with more emphasis given to content producers and local talent.”
Brown added: “Simon Crean offers a fresh start and the opportunity for renewal. This is critical as we enter into what is arguably the most important three years in the development of the independent Australian film and television industry since 1956.”
He said the challenges faced by Crean include the analogue switch-off, the arrival of the new free to air digital channels, thenational broadband network and and the long-awaited review of Australian content regulation.
Brown said: “Minister Crean must set an agenda that promotes local content on these new platforms.”
Also on SPAA’s agenda is seeking support for the proposed Producer Distributor Film Fund (PDFF) and new measures for funding local television content with less reliance on direct subsidy.
