Modern Australian
Men's Weekly

.

$53 million for screen production, but policy reforms could spell the end of the Australian feature film

  • Written by Kirsten Stevens, Lecturer in Arts and Cultural Management, University of Melbourne

The 2020 federal budget has allocated A$53 million towards Australian screen production.

The funding comes attached to policy reforms harmonising incentives across film and television production and removing requirements for films to play in cinemas.

Arts minister Paul Fletcher argues “the old approach of treating film and television differently no longer makes sense” and “simplifying regulations” will encourage creators to develop higher production value content for international streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime.

But producers fear this will spell the end for Australian-made films and feature documentaries in cinemas.

Responding to the policy changes, film producer and distributor Sue Maslin AO tells me:

This announcement brings an end to producers like myself continuing to invest our time, money, blood, sweat and tears in developing features and forces us to focus on digital platforms in an unregulated environment where to date there has been negligible commissioning by streamers and no sustainable business model emerge.

Such a clear preference for eyeballs aimed at televisions and computer screens overlooks the importance films in the cinema have for sustaining a robust Australian screen industry.

From script to screen

Feature films are expensive to make and difficult to finance.

The producer offset is a key mechanism allowing Australian feature films to secure finance, with producers able to claim back a percentage of the film’s qualifying Australian production expenditure through a tax rebate.

Under the existing model, feature films with an Australian spend of at least $500,000 qualify for a 40% rebate, while television and online content receive 20%.

The new budget measures harmonise the offset for all productions at 30%. This means feature producers will be forced to find an additional 10% of their total budget to get their films made. Additionally, all productions must now spend at least $1 million in Australia to be eligible.

Read more: $400 million in government funding for Hollywood, but only scraps for Australian film

Feature film funding comes from a variety of sources. State and federal production grants and the producer offset account for roughly half of a typical budget.

The remaining finance comes from local distributors, international sales agents, television license fees and a shrinking pool of private investment.

Film still from Dirt Music With lower subsidies, projects will look to co-produce in countries with more generous rebates. Dirt Music/Wildgaze Films

With a rebate of just 30%, finance will become harder to access.

Foreign co-producers will look towards countries like Canada or the UK with more generous incentives and, with longform content such as drama series now eligible for the same rebates, broadcasters will have even less incentive to license feature-length content.

Diminishing confidence in the value of films within the Australian market further impacts the willingness of distributors to invest.

The government claims “the explosion of streaming video services” will address these shortfalls. But streaming video on demand services have shown little interest in picking up Australian content. Only 1.7% of content on Netflix is Australian, and the platform has fewer than 20 Australian films in its catalogue.

Read more: Crunching the numbers on streaming services' local content: static growth, but more original productions

Documentary dilemma

Feature documentaries will be hardest hit by changes to the producer offset. Currently, each hour of documentary content produced in Australia costs, on average, less than $500,000 to make.

Film still: Adam Goodes on a beach With these changes, Australian documentary films will find it harder to raise funding. The Australian Dream/GoodThing Productions

With the doubling of the qualifying Australian production expenditure requirement to $1 million, the vast majority of documentary films will be excluded from any offset eligibility.

Combined with the removal of documentary sub-quotas from broadcast content requirements, this signals a dim future for high-quality Australian documentary filmmaking.

Read more: Cheese 'n' crackers! Concerns deepen for the future of Australian children's television

Out of sight, out of mind

Funding is only part of the problem. The other part is getting films seen.

Fletcher argues the changes are about “getting [Australian] content seen by as many people as possible and selling as well as possible.” Online is seen as the key to this.

Opportunities do exist for some filmmakers here, with films like Netflix’s I Am Mother (2019) or Stan’s Relic (2020) capturing attention.

The Australian-produced I Am Mother found a global audience on Netflix.

But there is a risk Australian films will struggle to cut through in a crowded digital market.

The theatrical release of a film is about more than just bums on seats. It raises awareness about films through word of mouth and marketing material. Film festivals play a role too, generating buzz around programmed films and amplifying this buzz further for those that win awards.

Removing the requirement for a cinema release could see feature films disappear from the big screen. But, more importantly, it could also make films harder to find at home.

Read more: Picture this: 3 possible endings for cinema as COVID pushes it to the brink

While streaming services reach growing audiences, the discoverability of Australian films within and across these online platforms remains a challenge, particularly when sufficient content is not there to be discovered. Without the interest generated by a cinema release, how will local stories stand out?

This is a challenge that Australian film will now need to face. With the Government’s measures set to take effect in 2021, Sue Maslin warns:

As for going to the movies to see films like The Dressmaker, Last Cab to Darwin, Ride Like a Girl, Breath, The Sapphires, Animal Kingdom … forget it. Get used to the small screen experience, everyone.

Authors: Kirsten Stevens, Lecturer in Arts and Cultural Management, University of Melbourne

Read more https://theconversation.com/53-million-for-screen-production-but-policy-reforms-could-spell-the-end-of-the-australian-feature-film-147834

What Your Car Says About You: The Personality Behind the Vehicle

You can tell a lot about someone by the car they drive—or at least, that’s what people think. True Blue Mobile Mechanics reckon the car says a l...

The Confidence Curve: Why Boudoir Photography Is the Empowerment Trend You Didn’t Know You Needed

Boudoir photography has been quietly taking over social feeds, Pinterest boards, and personal milestones—and for good reason. It’s not just abou...

Understanding Level 2 Electricians: Why Sydney Residents Need Licenced Experts for Complex Electrical Work

When it comes to electrical work around the home or business, not all electricians are created equal. In Sydney, particularly when you're dealing wi...

Retirement Anchored in Model Boat Building for Waterford’s Doug Unsold

WATERFORD — When Doug Unsold sees his ship come in, it’s usually one he’s crafted with his own hands. The 67-year-old retiree from Waterford ...

The Science Behind Alarm Clocks and Your Circadian Rhythm

Waking up on time isn’t just about setting an alarm—it’s about working with your body, not against it. At the heart of every restful night and...

How to Use Plants to Create a Calming Atmosphere in Your Home

In today’s fast-paced world, cultivating a calm, soothing environment at home has never been more important. Whether you live in a busy urban apar...

How Maths Tutoring Can Help Students Master Maths

Mathematics can be a daunting subject for many students, often causing stress and frustration. However, maths tutoring has proven to be an effective...

Refurbished iPads Are Better Than New Ones (Here's Why)

Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik Apple's refurbished iPad program has quietly become one of the best deals in tech. While everyone obsesses over the ...

Your Guide to Finding the Right GP: What Perth City Doctors Offer Today

Choosing a General Practitioner (GP) is one of the most important health decisions you’ll make. Luckily, Perth’s vibrant CBD now hosts a new ge...

Why Every Mining Operation Needs a Robust Safety Management System

Mining is one of the backbones of the Australian economy, particularly in Western Australia. Back in 2019-20, mining contributed 10.4% of Australia...

Australian Classic Literature Enjoys Resurgence

Welcome back to the good old days of storytelling! As the modern world becomes increasingly more demanding, returning to childhood favourites offers...

How to Choose the Right Lawyers in Sydney for Your Situation

When faced with a legal issue, selecting the right legal representation can make all the difference. Whether you're dealing with a personal injury, ...

Building a Governance Model for Headless Content Management at Scale

Image by pch.vector on Freepik There's never been a better time to implement a headless content management system (CMS) to gain the flexibility and ...

Understanding Trade Insurance: Essential Protection for Businesses

Image by Drazen Zigic on Freepik In the current economic environment, trade insurance is an important element for companies trading both locally an...

Choosing the Right Timber for External Cladding

Timber cladding is one of those finishes that pulls double duty: it makes a building look warm and welcoming, and it quietly shields the frame from ...

Top Services Offered by Diesel Mechanics in Brisbane

Keeping a diesel vehicle running at its best takes more than the occasional oil change. When you invest in regular specialist care, you protect the ...

Top 5 Benefits of Hiring Professional House Removalists

Moving day should feel like the start of a new adventure, not the end of your patience. Yet once the settlement papers are signed and the champagne ...

Navigating the Digital Landscape: Managed IT Solutions and IT Services in Townsville

As technology advances at an unprecedented pace, companies must adapt to embrace the transformation ahead. With an evolving technology landscape, mana...