To the delight of Independent Cinemas Australia (ICA), the Victorian state government has announced a rapid response Events Support Package worth $20 million.
Most of it will go to the events industry and live performers, but it has a separate strand for independent cinemas. As the application form says, ‘an Independent Cinema Support Program will deliver up to $12,000 to independent cinema operators unable to operate due to the COVID-19 restrictions that commenced at 11.59pm on 27 May 2021’.