Latest news with #ScreenProducersAustralia
The Guardian
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
ABC doing ‘all the heavy lifting' as commercial networks abandon local kids' TV drama
Australian commercial television networks have all but given up on creating local children's drama, advocates say, with just $1.75m spent on the genre across all commercial free-to-air networks in 2023-2024. But that's $1.75m more than the previous year, according to the latest report card by the communications regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (Acma). In 2022-2023, not a single children's television drama was made by any commercial network. The chief executive of the Australian Children's Television Foundation, Jenny Buckland, said fallout from the previous Coalition government's 2020 decision to scrap quotas for children's free-to-air television was continuing on a downward spiral, and the current Labor government showed no inclination to reverse the trend. 'They're focusing on where the young audience has gone, and that audience has gone to the streaming platforms,' she said. 'It's being left up to the ABC to do all the heavy lifting.' Legislation to impose local content quotas on streaming platforms, a promise Labor took to the 2022 federal election with a July 2024 deadline, stalled last year over uncertainties over how it could be quarantined from Australia's free trade agreement with the US. The reelection of US President Donald Trump and subsequent confusion over his threats to slap tariffs on overseas film and television productions has turned a stalemate into chaos. An analysis by Screen Producers Australia (SPA) found that since 2018-2019, commercial network spend on children's drama had fallen 98%, while adult drama had dropped from $96m to to $49m over the same period. 'This is not an isolated failure, but rather, one part of a broader erosion of culturally significant content investment,' SPA's chief executive, Matthew Deaner, said in a statement. 'Drama is just one of several genres where commercial funding has been allowed to wither, with no other part of the system stepping in to fill the void. 'Both adult and kids' drama remain at unsustainably low levels. We cannot expect Australian stories to thrive without real structural change.' Deaner said legislation mandating revenue-linked local content investment obligations on subscription video on demand (SVOD) platforms was urgently needed. He also called on the Australian Government to increase ABC and SBS funding, specifically for independently produced children's scripted content. 'It's time to regulate all streaming services and reinvest in our national broadcasters,' Deaner's statement said. 'That's the only way to restore balance in a market that's now skewed almost entirely toward live sport and low-cost formats.' The Guardian sought comment from the communications minister Anika Wells, the arts minister, Tony Burke, and the peak body that represents Australia's commercial networks, Free TV Australia. A statement on the association's website responding to the Acma report said commercial television broadcasters had invested $1.625b in 2023-2024, including $408m on news services, demonstrating the industry's commitment to Australian journalism. 'While global streamers sell stories, we tell the stories that matter to Australians — and all for free,' the statement said. 'Australians value Australian television and the vital role it plays in our democracy, our culture, and our everyday lives. To keep delivering, we look forward to continuing to work with Government on policy settings that support a sustainable and vibrant industry.'
Express Tribune
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Global film and TV bodies unite against Trump's 100% tariff proposal
Donald Trump's proposal to impose 100% tariffs on films and TV shows produced abroad has sparked significant opposition from global entertainment organizations. Over 100 film and TV bodies worldwide have united to sign an open letter urging governments to safeguard the systems that support independent film and audiovisual creation. The letter, which comes on the eve of the Cannes Film Festival, addresses concerns over the growing dominance of global entertainment conglomerates and the rise of AI in production, alongside Trump's proposed tariffs. While the letter does not directly name Trump, it challenges the broader political and corporate forces threatening the diversity of cultural expression. It highlights the importance of public funding, cultural policy, and regulation in fostering independent production. Among the signatories are major industry bodies such as Italy's Audiovisual Producers Association, Screen Producers Australia, the European Audiovisual Production Association (CEPI), the Canadian Media Producers Association, and the European Film Academy. These organizations have joined forces to defend the right of creators to tell their own stories rooted in their cultures, languages, and identities. They argue that if the tariff plan succeeds, it will be more difficult for diverse voices to be heard, and for local cultures to thrive. Trump's proposal to levy tariffs on foreign films and TV shows, including U.S. productions filmed abroad, has raised fears internationally, especially in Europe. This move follows his previous efforts to challenge the European Union's Audiovisual Media Services Directive, local content quotas, and requirements for streaming platforms to invest in local markets. The letter also calls on governments to uphold the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions and to oppose any legal, political, or economic initiatives that threaten artistic freedoms. In response to the increasing pressure, the UK entertainment union Equity has expressed readiness for industrial action should talks with producers and global streamers fail.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Trump's Film & TV Tariff Plan Leads Global Entertainment Bodies To Issue Protection Appeal: 'We Unite To Defend The Right To Tell Our Own Stories'
Donald Trump's plan to issue 100% tariffs on films and TV shows filmed and made abroad has received more pushback. A group of more than 100 film and TV bodies from around the world have united to sign an open letter appealing to governments to 'safeguard the systems that support independent film and audiovisual creation.' More from Deadline UK Actors Union Is "Industrial Action Ready" If Pact & Streamer Negotiations Collapse, Says Re-elected Gen Sec Paul Fleming John Oliver Mocks Trump's Comments About Dolls: "Every Single Way This Man Refers To Girls Makes My Skin Want To Turn Inside Out" 'Shogun' Showrunner Celebrates BAFTA Win By Declaring: Good TV Is "Borderless" Amid Trump Tariff Threat The letter clearly targets Trump, but also challenges 'algorithm-driven platforms, and the growing dominance of global entertainment conglomerates,' along the rise of AI in production. The letter appears to have been timed to be issued on the cusp of the Cannes Film Festival and with the industry still reeling from the tariff proposals. Those signing include Italy's Audiovisual Producers Association, Screen Producers Australia, the European Audiovisual Production Association (CEPI), the Canadian Media Producers Association, the European Producers Club, the European Film Academy, France's Société des Auteurs et Compositeurs Dramatiques, Spain's Productores Asociados de Televisión de España, Screen Producers Ireland, several writing and directing guilds and other industry bodies. Trump shocked the entertainment world earlier this month when he announced plans to put a 100% tariff on movies imported from abroad – including U.S. films that shoot abroad. It later emerged TV production was included in the plan, which came after his 'special ambassador' to Hollywood, Jon Voight, had unveiled a report seeking to save the entertainment industry. The plan has gone down as well as one might imagine internationally, compounding fears that Trump will further challenge the European Union's Audiovisual Media Services Directive, local content quotas and requirements that streamers invest portions of their revenues in local markets such as Canada. An open letter titled 'A Global Declaration for Artistic Freedom, Cultural Diversity and Cultural Sovereignty' has now been issued. This letter begins by noting how public funding, cultural policy and regulation have fostered independent production, saying: 'We, creators, professionals, companies and organizations from the film and audiovisual sector, along with culturally-engaged citizens, unite to defend out right to tell our own stories – stories rooted in our cultures, languages and identities – and ensure that people everywhere can continue to access and enjoy them.' While it does not directly name Trump, who recently killed funding for PBS and NPR through an executive order, it goes on to state: 'Today, the support for independent film and audiovisual storytelling is under growing threat. 'We are witnessing increasingly aggressive attempts by powerful political and corporate actors to dismantle the regulatory protections that ensure the diversity and accessibility of cultural expression.' The letter states these actions are taking place alongside wider attacks on pluralism and freedom of expression,' and adds that, 'if they succeed, it will become increasingly difficult for diverse voices to be heard, for the whole ecosystem to create, produce, distribute, promote and exhibit films and audiovisual works successfully, and for local cultures to thrive.' The signatories are demanding their artistic freedoms are upheld and 'firmly' opposing 'any political, legal or economic initiative that seeks to undermine national or international rules' supporting that framework. They also call on their governments to reinforce the UNESCO Convention of the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. 'We call on all governments to stand firm and safeguard the systems that support independent film and audiovisual creation so that culture, creativity and democratic access to diverse stories for the screen can continue to flourish.' Over the weekend, UK entertainment union Equity said it was 'industrial-action ready' if talks with producers body Pact and the global streamers collapse. Equity did not sign today's open letter. Best of Deadline All The Songs In Netflix's 'Forever': From Tyler The Creator To SZA 'Poker Face' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Arrive On Peacock? Everything We Know About Celine Song's 'Materialists' So Far
Sky News AU
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Jelena Dokic stuns in red dress as slimmed-down tennis star's biography wins big at 23rd Annual Screen Producer Awards
Jelena Dokic has won big at the 23rd Annual Screen Producer Awards for her 2024 autobiographical documentary. On Friday, the retired athlete, 42, took to Instagram to share a stunning photo of herself holding her Feature Documentary Production of the Year award for Unbreakable at the Gold Coast, Queensland event on Thursday. Unbreakable: The Jelena Dokic Story, which aired in 2024, chronicles Dokic's life from surviving war and poverty to becoming a world-renowned tennis player, and the alleged abuse she endured at the hands of her father and coach Damir. In her photo, Dokic, who lives in Melbourne, beamed in a red sparkling off-the-shoulder gown by Australian designer Silvana Tedesco. She pinned her brown locks into a neat bun and flashed her signature wide smile to the camera. "WINNER. WINNER. WINNER," the star wrote in the caption. "We did it. Winner of the 'Feature Documentary Production of the Year Award at the 23rd Annual Screen Producer Awards for my number 1 documentary UNBREAKABLE-THE JELENA DOKIC STORY." The former athlete also thanked several of her supporters, including Screen Producers Australia and her IMG Talent agent, David. "Without you, all this would never have happened," she said. "You all believed in my story and bringing it to screen and you all made it happen. "Thank you so much for the belief and the incredible hard work behind the scenes. We did it. "More pics of the night, this gorgeous dress, stunning jewellery and amazing glam to come." Dokic's fans flooded the comments sections to congratulate the star on her success. "Congratulations to you and all involved in the production! A deserving win for such an incredible story," one person said. "Congratulations on the win and that stunning dress, looking beautiful," another person said. "Sooo well deserved," one more person said. The Croatian-born Aussie tennis star was just 16 years old when she advanced to the semifinal at Wimbledon in 2000 and reached a peak of World No. 4 in 2002. Privately, the star allegedly suffered abuse at the hands of her father and coach Damir Dokic, which culminated in the player firing her father and rebooting her career. In 2009, Dokic enjoyed an unforgettable run at the Australian Open after entering the draw as a wildcard and ultimately advancing all the way to the quarter finals before retiring in 2014. In a December 2023 interview, Jelena said she has been estranged from her father for more than 10 years, and claimed he has never apologised for his alleged verbal, emotional and physical abuse. The retired tennis star's big win comes months after Dokic opened up about her weight loss journey. In March, Dokic posted a side-by-side comparison of her before-and-after weight loss, musing that she is the 'same hardworking person' regardless of her weight. 'What is the difference between the two images?' she wrote. 'Nothing except what you see on the outside, my BODY SIZE. 'I am the same hardworking person, respectful, generous, empathetic, compassionate, humble, kind, driven, strong, resilient, capable and loving person, woman and friend.'
Malay Mail
08-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Aussiewood to Mel Gibson: Save us from Trump's movie tariffs
SYDNEY, May 8 — Australia's film industry wants actor Mel Gibson to do what he does in his action-hero movies and save the day, by convincing US President Donald Trump to drop his film tariffs which could devastate its A$1 billion (RM2.74 billion) Hollywood business. Industry leaders said the tariffs would cause a large number of job losses in the local film production sector, drive up ticket prices, and called for US-born Gibson, who launched his career in Australia, to use his role as a Trump adviser to urge the president to reconsider. In January, Trump hired Gibson as a 'special ambassador' to Hollywood although he didn't elaborate on his role. 'Hopefully Mel Gibson, as one of Trump's advisers in this space, is telling the President that this is a dumb idea,' Kate Carnell, chair of industry body Screen Producers Australia, said in an interview. Gibson plans to shoot a movie in Italy this year, according to industry media, which could be impacted by the US tariffs. 'For Mel Gibson to make his movie in Italy and then to have a 100 per cent tariff for it to be shown in America is just nonsensical,' said Carnell. Trump on Sunday announced a 100 per cent tariff on movies produced outside the US, saying the American movie industry was dying a 'very fast death' due to the incentives that other countries were offering to lure filmmakers. Trump's latest tariff announcement bewildered studio executives who for decades have overseen productions across several continents and could not understand how it would work. It also sent shockwaves through film industries abroad where Hollywood shoots movies for cheaper production costs. Australian film industry at risk Since the first Star Wars prequels and Matrix sequels were shot in Sydney in the early 2000s with the Australian dollar near a record-low against the US dollar, Australia's film industry has become enmeshed with Hollywood. International spending on film and television productions in Australia was about half the industry's total A$1.7 billion expenditure in 2024, says Screen Australia, a government body, which noted the overall figure fell 29 per cent since the prior year partly due to a Hollywood writers' strike. 'One hundred percent tariffs would be devastating for the Australian film industry... we're talking about a lot of jobs (lost), hard to put a number on them,' Carnell said, adding Australia's US film business was worth around A$1 billion. 'People are saying, 'how could they do this? It's so stupid'.' Carnell said if Hollywood studios spent more shooting all movies in the US, 'their costs would go up, and so the costs to consumers, to people who see movies, would go up as well'. Kate Marks, CEO of Ausfilm, which connects international studios with Australia, said the US had a 'long and mutually beneficial history' of collaborating on films with Australia. 'We are closely monitoring the situation and awaiting further details and will continue to work with our industry and government partners,' she said. In the state of Queensland, home to Village Roadshow Studios where Marvel's Thor: Ragnarok and Warner Bros' Aquaman were shot, the state's screen agency said the industry was 'globally connected' and involved collaboration with national and international partners. 'The proposed US film tariff has caused widespread global uncertainty and we're closely monitoring this evolving situation,' CEO Jacqui Feeney said. A government spokesperson for the state of Victoria, where Docklands Studios Melbourne is based, said the state would always back local screen and production workers. 'Victoria's world-class crews, state-of-the-art studios and award-winning digital and post-production capabilities means Victoria is a destination of choice for global productions,' the spokesperson said. — Reuters
