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Screen Producers Australia (SPA) has today celebrated the Australian Government’s announcement of a $50 million Temporary Interruption Fund to help local screen producers secure finance and get the camera’s rolling.

Welcoming the support for film and television producers, SPA Chief Executive, Matthew Deaner stated “the fund will assist to secure much needed capital to the hundreds of small businesses which make up the independent production sector so that we can start the cameras rolling again and return thousands of workers back to work across the broad range of jobs that our industry creates.

“The benefits of this package will extend far beyond the personnel on a physical set, with flow on effects to related industries such as tourism and hospitality, and the boost to Australia’s export potential, playing an important part in the nation’s economic recovery. Moreover, the Australian public will no doubt celebrate the return of homegrown stories to our screens.

“Our industry was one of the earliest and hardest hit by COVID-19, impacting 120 local productions and affecting over 30,000 working employees, freelancers and contractors. JobKeeper has been an important lifeline which has helped to keep many screen businesses afloat during this turbulent time.

“Combined with the release of the screen industry’s COVID-Safe Guidelines late last month, this fund, part of the Government’s JobMaker plan to support Australia’s valuable creative economy, assists to return our industry to a steady footing to help kick start production and return to the delivery of high quality Australian stories for audiences domestically and abroad.

“I thank the Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, and the Federal Government, for their support of our sector and the close collaboration with industry to develop this fund. Our ongoing partnership is incredibly valuable and appreciated as we look to ways to develop and support our industry now and in the future.

“I would also like to thank See-Saw Films’ Emile Sherman and CJZ’s Nick Murray as well as the many members and supporters who contributed behind the scenes to this work, highlighting and explaining the unique issues our industry has faced during the pandemic as well as developing thoughtful proposals to address the challenges we face.

“I look forward to continuing to work with Government and the soon to be formed Creative Economy Taskforce as the JobMaker plan is implemented over the coming weeks."

The funding has also been welcomed by the Australia Council for the Arts, the Australian Major Performing Arts Group, PAC Australia and the newly formed Live Entertainment Industry Forum.

Images courtesy of Screen Producers Australia.

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