Screen Australia

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Screen Australia's Enterprise program: People, stories and growth

Screen Australia's Enterprise program is proposed to return in 2014/15 with a focus on people, stories and growth.

In draft guidelines released today by Screen Australia, the program has been refashioned ‘Enterprise Industry’, and looks to support the key factors affecting sector viability as identified by the industry – talent regeneration, story development and audience growth.

Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason said, “Enterprise Industry hopes to support targeted growth activities that help build and renew the ecology of the sector.”

Enterprise Industry will provide support through a suite of programs based on three broad themes:

  • Enterprise: People will target industry placements to advance the skills of early-career writers and creative producers.
  • Enterprise: Stories will encourage ambitious and innovative large-scale development projects.
  • Enterprise: Growth will advance the development of new models for financing, producing and distributing Australian screen content, including domestic and international collaboration.

“Enterprise Industry seeks ideas from screen businesses themselves for ways to address the challenges faced by the sector,” Mr Mason said.

“It aims to help companies mitigate the risks involved in dedicating resources to activities that can take time to generate commercial returns but that are vital to ensuring the ongoing quality and viability of Australian screen production.”

$3–5 million per year will be available through these programs over the next three years. A final budget will be determined early in the 2014/15 financial year.

Screen Australia anticipates releasing final guidelines early next financial year. The deadline for feedback will be 6 June.

The Enterprise program review commenced in December 2013 to assess the impact of the program to date and canvas industry views on its future. Screen Australia conducted public forums in six cities and via webinar, and feedback was invited through online comments and submissions. Around 500 people attended the forums and provided direct feedback to Screen Australia management and staff and 30 written submissions were received.

Since the launch of the Enterprise program in 2009, Screen Australia has provided support to 29 screen businesses to assist them to develop, expand and enhance their sustainability, with demonstrable success.

While the impact of the inaugural program was measured against the sustainability of the funded companies, the next stage of the program will aim to demonstrate success in the sustainability of the sector. Impacts will be expected in the areas of skills development, employment in selected roles, and an increase in innovative and collaborative business models and high quality audience-engaging screen content.