This week’s Top Stories
- ALP goes ballistic about the arts in Parliament, signals trouble for the government
The new regulations which strip advantages from the tax rebate system will have to go to Parliament, and the ALP is keen for a fight. - Indie game developers rally behind Palestine with a fundraising bundle
Submissions are open for the Indie Bundle for Palestinian Aid on itch.io. This fundraising effort is the indie games community’s solidarity action with Palestine. - Former SBS Channel Manager Ben Nguyen joins Stan Australia as Director of Programming
Longtime SBS leader Ben Nguyen has announced he will be joining Nine Entertainment’s Stan as Director of Programming.
New REVIEWS
- TV Review: The Unusual Suspects is authentic and refreshing
Light-hearted but not lightweight, this near-perfect heist drama refuses to gloss over the realities of class and race for Filipina-Australians. - TV Review: Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries S2 is groovy
The latest Ms Fisher franchise is crafted with care and style to spare. It’s got a 60s sleuth you want to hang out with, says Anthony Morris. - Game Review: Resident Evil Village is straight-faced self-parody
Drawing upon its most successful designs over the last twenty years, Village is a masterfully executed, but stagnant work. - TV Review: Mare of Easttown gets the details right
Kate Winslet is brilliant in this grounded and intricate TV mystery, but lack of resolution is a big problem, says Grace Boschetti
Policy and Funding NEWS
- Media reform policy process brings sector conflicts to a head
The Green Papers sent to the Media Reform process make agreement impossible in a whirly whirly of change. This is not a good moment. - ALP goes ballistic about the arts in Parliament, signals trouble for the government
The new regulations which strip advantages from the tax rebate system will have to go to Parliament, and the ALP is keen for a fight.
Industry newsÂ
- Screen sector deja-vu in Melbourne COVID lockdown
Melbourne productions call out the Groundhog Gang to go back into lockdown, but the horror is muted by routine. - Former SBS Channel Manager Ben Nguyen joins Stan Australia as Director of Programming
Longtime SBS leader Ben Nguyen has announced he will be joining Nine Entertainment’s Stan as Director of Programming. - Cannes Film Festival – Justin Kurzel’s ‘Nitram’ in competition
Based around the Port Arthur gunman, Nitram is the first Australian film in official competition in a decade. - 2021 Apple Design Award nominations feature Australia’s SMG Studio with ‘Sp!ng’
Apple has announced the finalists for the 2021 Apple Design Awards ahead of this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference, and Australian happily feature. - Full list of St Kilda Film Festival 2021 award winners and nominations
The winners of the 2021 St Kilda Film Festival have been announced, including the prestigious $10,000 Best Short Film category. - Indie game developers rally behind Palestine with a fundraising bundle
Submissions are open for the Indie Bundle for Palestinian Aid on itch.io. This fundraising effort is the indie games community’s solidarity action with Palestine.
CAREER AND OPPORTUNITIESÂ
- Screen Queensland seeks nominations for new diversity taskforce
The taskforce will develop a three-year diversity plan for the screen funding body, and help guide strategic goals. Applications are open now. - Standing out with strategic content skills
Producer, production strategist and branding expert Josh Butt reflects on his approach to teaching the Industry Certificate: Content Strategy and Creation course at AFTRS. - SBS and NITV launch new documentary initiative for diverse and First Nations creatives
A new national initiative from SBS and NITV is seeking submissions from diverse and First Nations creatives to produce documentaries about contemporary Australia. - Courage, Confidence & Strategy: Sue Maslin’s advice for women pursuing leadership
Inspired by Natalie Miller, Sue Maslin says we need more women taking the leap into positions of financial and creative power in the screen industry.
Industry AnalysisÂ
- Who really owns Hollywood?
We analyse the quarterly and annual results of the biggest screen media production companies, and speculate on the motives of the suits who own the suits who run the studios. - Australian Ads are still made by white people, for white people
The industry needs to get comfortable with having uncomfortable conversations around race, says young Chinese-Australian producer Annie Thiele, offering suggestions for positive change. - Box Office – My Name is Gulpilil arrives as key indie cinemas empty
A big weekend for scary films softened by June Again and a tribute to David Gulpilil. - Itch.io’s games aren’t ‘unspeakable’; they’re groundbreaking
Chantelle McColl reflects on the role that itch.io plays in supporting experimental game development, and why that benefits the whole industry — despite Apple’s protestations.
ON SCREENÂ
- June Streaming Highlights: Eden, Head Above Water, Loki, Moonlight, and more
From the hotly anticipated Loki, to local delights like Head Above Water and The Dish, there’s something for everyone coming to Australian streaming services this June. - The Burden of Sustaining the Fantasy World of The Elder Scrolls Online
‘Blackwood’ is the latest in a long line of content expansions for The Elder Scrolls Online, an MMORPG that’s keeping a beloved world alive for millions. It’s no small feat for the creative team behind it. - A Deep Dive into Serial Killer TV
Quality or trash, Adrian Martin eats up the genre. From The Sons of Sam to Manhunt, Zodiac and The Serpent he plays detective and traces a murky web of connections.
In production
- Barrumbi Kids series to be made in the Northern Territory for NITV
Adapted from popular teen books, the high end kids’ drama is produced by Danielle MacLean, Monica O’Brien and Julia Morris. - Jim Henson Company’s The Portable Door adaptation to film in Queensland, starring Christoph Waltz
In another coup for Queensland, the state will host the star-studded fantasy adventure comedy feature The Portable Door featuring Sam Neill as a shape-shifting goblin. - With Far Cry 6, Ubisoft admits to politics in its videogames. Why is that notable?
Ubisoft has had a history of saying that its politically-informed game worlds are not political. What’s changed?
