Screen Australia
| Company type | Government agency |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film and television production financing |
| Predecessor | Australian Film Commission, Film Finance Corporation Australia, Film Australia Limited |
| Founded | July 1, 2008 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Key people | Graeme Mason (CEO), Grainne Brunsdon (Head of Content), Nicholas Moore (Chair) |
| Products | Funding and support for Australian screen productions |
| Owner | Australian Government |
| Website | www |
Screen Australia operates as the principal federal government agency dedicated to financing the Australian screen production sector, established under the Screen Australia Act 2008. Effective from 1 July 2008, it unified the responsibilities previously held by the Australian Film Commission, Film Finance Corporation Australia, and Film Australia Limited.
The organization is committed to supporting the creation, production, promotion, and distribution of Australian narrative and documentary screen works.
History
The establishment of Screen Australia on 1 July 2008 resulted from the consolidation of three entities through the Screen Australia Act 2008. Ruth Harley was appointed as the first CEO, with Graeme Mason taking over the role in 2013.
Management and functions
Screen Australia's mission centers on nurturing innovative and commercially viable Australian screen projects. It offers financial support, guarantees, services, facilities, programs, and equipment to content producers. The agency places special emphasis on documentaries, children’s content, culturally significant works, and productions that reflect national interests relevant to Australians.
As of 2023, Graeme Mason holds the position of CEO while Grainne Brunsdon serves as Head of Content. The Board is led by Chair Nicholas Moore and includes members such as Claudia Karvan and Deborah Mailman.
In addition to funding creators and companies directly, Screen Australia oversees the administration of the Producer Offset tax rebate designed for Australian screen content production. Other elements of the Australian Screen Production Incentive fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Communications and the Arts.
Indigenous Department
Originating in 1993 under the Australian Film Commission and maintained by Screen Australia's Indigenous Department after 2008, this division was established following Shirley McPherson and Michael Pope’s report titled Promoting Indigenous Involvement in the Film and Television Industry. Its core mission is to enhance participation by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within the screen industry. Screen Australia assumed responsibility for this department in 2008.
Beginning in 2004 under the AFC and continuing with Screen Australia's Indigenous unit from 2008 onward, funding was provided for the Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival.
Under the leadership of Sally Riley—who headed both the AFC's Indigenous Branch and later Screen Australia's Indigenous Department—the unit was instrumental in producing the acclaimed feature film Samson and Delilah, directed by Warwick Thornton. Riley played a pivotal role in launching careers for Indigenous filmmakers including Wayne Blair, Beck Cole, and Darlene Johnson. Her guidance also supported notable productions such as the series First Australians (2008), created by Rachel Perkins and Darren Dale. Riley departed in 2010 to lead ABC Television's Indigenous department, with Penny Smallacombe succeeding her.
Data reflecting industry involvement indicates marked progress: a 2002 study revealed no significant presence of Indigenous actors on Australian television in 1992, increasing to two actors by 1999. A Screen Australia report from 2016 showed that Indigenous actors accounted for 5% of main television characters between 2011 and 2015.
By June 2018, the Indigenous Department had allocated AUD 35 million across more than 160 projects, operating with an annual budget of AUD 3.3 million.
In August 2018, the department commemorated its 25th anniversary with an event at Carriageworks in Redfern, attended by distinguished filmmakers and actors such as Rachel Perkins, Ivan Sen, Leah Purcell, and Warwick Thornton.
To be eligible for funding, applicants must identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australians developing projects where key creative positions—such as writer or director—are held by Indigenous individuals.
Funding programs
By 2020, Screen Australia had introduced multiple funding initiatives for filmmakers within the country, following a revision of its system in 2018:
- The Generate initiative offers financial support for story development aimed at new, emerging, or seasoned storytellers who present a unique and genuine narrative voice.
- The Premium initiative also finances story development but is designed for creators with extensive experience and a history of commercially or critically acclaimed works.
- The International Finance initiative allocates funds to projects that are market-ready and have already attracted some commercial investment, emphasizing films with potential for international box office success.
Additional funding avenues are available to support feature films connected to Indigenous Australian stories, documentary productions, and pitching efforts targeting global markets.
Application process
The previously intricate application procedure, which required prior screen credits, has been streamlined through the Generate and Premium funds to eliminate most eligibility constraints, thereby welcoming new talent. Applicants are now expected to provide a one-page synopsis alongside a three-minute pitch outlining the narrative, intended audience, and distribution plan.
Expenditure
For the 2021/22 period, Screen Australia's annual drama spending totaled $2.29 billion, including an unprecedented $1.51 billion dedicated to Australian productions and $777 million allocated to international projects.
During the 2018/19 fiscal year, Screen Australia granted nearly AUD 76 million directly to the screen industry. The subsequent year saw approvals amounting to AUD 41 million for producing narrative content such as television dramas, feature films, children’s programming, and digital productions.
The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated major adjustments to Screen Australia's funding framework. Emergency funding surpassing AUD 1 million was provided to productions that had been halted, with extra resources allocated for projects conducted remotely. A new Premium Plus development fund was established alongside COVID-safe industry protocols created in collaboration with the Australian Screen Sector Task Force. Additionally, Screen Australia committed AUD 10 million to a COVID-19 Budget Support Fund and assisted in managing the government’s AUD 50 million Temporary Interruption Fund (TIF).
In August 2020, AUD 2.7 million was distributed among nine projects encompassing feature films, television series, and online productions. By October 2020, further allocations from the Premium and Generate programs supported seven feature films, sixteen television dramas, and five digital projects.
Currently under consideration are substantial legislative revisions that will affect the framework of Qualifying Australian Production Expenditure (QAPE).