Global screen industry organisations, including Screen Producers Australia, have released a joint statement calling for governments worldwide to commit to domestic screen production requirements, and to continue championing diverse stories created by local independent creatives.
The statement, released publicly during the Toronto International Film Festival and published in The Hollywood Reporter, outlines an array of harms facing the global screen industry in the modern area, particularly the rise of global streaming services and how their proliferation ‘puts local stories at risk.’
Global screen organisations call for domestic production requirements – quick links
What to know about the global screen industry statement
‘Festivals like TIFF highlight the power of stories told on screen – stories that connect us, spark conversations and deepen our understanding of the world,’ the statement reads.
‘Today, global streaming services offer more opportunities to bring stories to new audiences. But those opportunities require local stories to be commissioned, co-financed and produced.’
‘Strong domestic content laws will help ensure local media producers and global streamers work together to bring new and unique stories to audiences everywhere.’
‘The undersigned urge governments to support domestic production requirements, preserve IP retention for independent producers, and champion the diverse stories created through independent production – the diversity that makes our global screen industry so rich.’
The statement has been signed by organisations representing Australia, Spain, Europe, Ireland, France, Czechia, Portugal, Slovenia, Canada, Italy, Denmark, Austria, Belgium, Sweden and Norway.
Australia’s commitment to domestic production requirements
Amongst these countries, Australia is a notable example of a country with impactful domestic production requirements.
As outlined by Matthew Deaner, CEO of Screen Producers Australia, local screen production has been changed forever by the introduction of streaming services, and governments must respond to actively create a space for local voices.
‘Local screen production continues to be disrupted by changes to technology and audience delivery, making the need for modern requirements, investment and incentives to ensure dynamic local screen storytelling paramount,’ Deaner said.
‘We were pleased that after some delay, the Australian Government passed legislation late last year to ensure Australian stories be made, told and enjoyed by audiences on subscription based streaming services.’
‘This is the first framework that has commenced operating in a predominantly English-speaking territory and while it is too early to understand its full effect on Australian screen production levels, it establishes an important baseline of consistent contribution.’
As the joint coalition of global screen industry organisations calls for their own local domestic production requirements, all eyes will be on Australia and how its domestic framework allows for storytelling buoyed by investment and commitment from those global streaming services.
With a formal review for the scheme expected to take place after four years, Deaner is calling for continued support for local storytelling, as Australia becomes a strong example for other global screen industries.
‘We echo the calls of our counterparts in Europe and Canada to protect the unique and diverse perspectives that local screen storytelling brings, including and critically through the ownership and retention of local intellectual property.’
Also on ScreenHub: Prime Video announces three new Australian Prime Originals
Prime Video has announced the commissioning of three new Australian-made docuseries programs, all of which aim to tell stories of Australian life and recent history.
As shared by the streaming platform, it has now commissioned 34 Australian Prime Originals, with this set to expand in future as it continues its stated aim of sharing ‘authentic Australian storytelling’ for its growing audience in the country (and as part of determined screen industry quotas).
Read more …
