VicScreen
| Company type | Government agency |
|---|---|
| Industry | Screen industry |
| Predecessor | Film Victoria |
| Founded | 1981-10-06 |
| Founder | Norman Lacy |
| Headquarters | Victoria , Australia |
Area served | Victoria, Australia |
Key people | Caroline Pitcher (CEO) |
| Products | Support for film, television, online content, virtual reality, and digital gaming industries |
| Owner | Victoria State Government |
| Website | vicscreen |
VicScreen, previously known as Film Victoria, serves as the creative and economic development agency for the screen industry under the Victoria State Government. It provides support to professionals, infrastructure, projects, and events within the screen sector, positioning Victoria as a premier location for film production.
History
The establishment of Film Victoria dates back to the Film Victoria Act 1981, which was introduced by Norman Lacy, then Minister for the Arts, on 6 October 1981. This legislation unified the Victorian Film Corporation (which originated in 1976), the State Film Centre, and segments of the Audio Visual Resources Branch from the Department of Education. The consolidation aimed to streamline government film-related activities, increase operational capability, and improve access to film resources.
In 1997, Film Victoria combined its responsibilities with those of the State Film Centre to create Cinemedia Corporation under the Cinemedia Corporation Act 1997. However, this entity was dissolved in 2001, resulting in the re-establishment of Film Victoria alongside the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) as distinct statutory bodies.
Caroline Pitcher was appointed CEO of Film Victoria in 2017. According to the agency’s Annual Report for 2020/2021, it supported 114 projects spanning film, television, and video games, with productions initiating that year investing A$391.4 million within Victoria.
In 2021, VicScreen collaborated with the Victorian Government to introduce Victoria’s first comprehensive screen industry strategy in over ten years—the "Screen Industry Strategy 2021-2025" (VicScreen Strategy). Early in 2022, Film Victoria underwent a rebranding to become VicScreen.
Timeline
Key milestones from VicScreen’s official website include:
- 1976: Originated as the Victorian Film Corporation.
- 1982: Transitioned to Film Victoria following enactment of the Film Victoria Act 1981.
- 1997: Merged with State Film Centre of Victoria forming Cinemedia Corporation.
- 2001: Abolishment of Cinemedia Corporation under the Film Act; separate statutory authorities for Film Victoria and ACMI reinstated.
- 2015: Integrated into Creative Victoria, unifying agencies across arts, screen, and design sectors.
- 2021: Initiated "Victoria's Screen Industry Strategy 2021-2025" aimed at expanding the state’s screen industry.
- 2022: Adopted the VicScreen brand to better represent its extended support encompassing film, television, online content, virtual reality, and digital gaming.
Description
VicScreen allocates funding towards production and content development initiatives while providing industry placements, filming incentives, and professional training programs designed to bolster Victoria’s screen industry.
Screen Leader Awards
Introduced by Film Victoria in 2012 to honor exceptional leadership and dedication within the screen community, the Screen Leader Awards comprise two main distinctions:
- The Jill Robb Award recognizing Outstanding Leadership and Service to Victoria’s Screen Industry. Esteemed recipients include inaugural winner producer Sue Maslin, film editor Jill Bilcock, Nadia Tass, Sonya Pemberton, Fiona Eagger, Deb Cox, Mitu Bhowmick Lange, and Claire Dobbin.
- The John Howie Award celebrating Outstanding Leadership and Service; awarded in 2013 to sound engineer Roger Savage.
See also
- Screen Australia
- South Australian Film Corporation
- Screen NSW
- Screen Queensland Studios, the production hub operated by Screen Queensland
External links
- , affiliated organization focusing on investment in traditional media