The Alliance welcomes news that the past year has been strong for the Australian film and television industry. Screen Australia’s National Survey of Feature Film and TV, released yesterday, reveals that the local production slate included 38 features and 653 hours of television drama with a total value of $668 million - up by $3 million on the year previous. “The total annual film and television drama slate spend of $668 million is well above the five year industry average, which is particularly good news given the fall in the foreign spend in Australia,” said Alliance Assistant Federal Secretary, Simon Whipp.

“Notwithstanding this drop in foreign feature and television production, which is clearly due to the drop in the US dollar and the GFC, the Survey seems to indicate that at this early stage the new Producer Offset is working well for local production.”

The Survey was especially positive for the local film industry, with an expenditure of $358 million - on 26 local and three co-productions features - the highest result for local features since the survey began. Foreign private investment increased significantly in 2008/09 for the Australian feature production slate with foreign investors contributing $205 million.

“This is the highest foreign investment level since this indicator has been recorded. This is exactly what the Producer Offset was designed to do – increase private investment – particularly foreign investment in local production. Happy Feet 2, Guardians of Ga’Hoole – as well as films beginning production this year including Tomorrow When The War Began, Mad Max Fury Road, and Sanctum, are all the types of films that the Government sought to promote in Australia. This not only boosts the number of local films able to be seen by Australian audiences, it will also assist greatly in improving the viability and sustainability of local production businesses in Australia.”

While the Alliance welcomes the boost the Producer Offset has provided to the Australian industry, there remains few details on the productions accessing it.

“We call on the government to provide greater transparency to the process and make public further details about what productions are accessing the Producer Offset. Only when this is done will the industry and the Australian public be assured that Government objectives are being achieved and that Australian taxpayers are getting an appropriate cultural return on its investment.”

The Survey also detailed a fall in the adult TV drama and total TV hours being produced.

“The Alliance is concerned about the fall in the number of hours of Australian adult drama but we hope that the increase in funding to the ABC will assist in raising this in future years.”

For more information contact Simon Whipp on 0413 153 059

The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance - the people who inform and entertain