Screen Australia will allocate $2.7 million to support four production companies and four film producers as part of its enterprise funding program.
The enterprise program, which began in 2009 with $9 million allocated across 12 production companies, is aimed at building a sustainable screen industry.
The latest companies to receive funding are: Bearcage Pty Ltd (Michael Tear, Serge Ou); Joined Up Films Pty Ltd (Daniel Brown, Jacqueline Willinge, Anne Brown, Anthony Willinge); Jungleboys (Jason Burrows, Trent O’Donnell, Phil Lloyd); and WTFN Holdings (Daryl Talbot, Steve Oemcke, Frank Dunphy, Andrew Logie-Smith). The four successful feature film producers are: Jessica Brentnall (Magic Films Pty Ltd); Angie Fielder (Aquarius Films); Nicole O’Donohue (Wildflower Films); and Nelson Woss (Woss Group Film Productions Pty Ltd).
“The eight recipients approved in the latest rounds of Screen Australia’s enterprise program will enable the companies and individuals chosen to step up to the next stage of their development and expand in their future screen endeavours,” Screen Australia chief executive Ruth Harley said in a statement.
Screen Australia said the companies plan to grow through diversification, marketing and expansion into new and international markets, new partnerships and alliances, as well as strategies for mentoring and developing talent.
“The successful business proposals demonstrate clear plans for expansion that are not dependent on Screen Australia production funding, for attracting independent production finance and achieving sustainability,” Harley said. “All of the companies have strong international alliances – three with strategies for expansion in Asia, with all intending to support their growth plans by matching enterprise program funds from their own or private sources.”
The feature enterprise program recognises critical or financial success by providing a working capital grant over two years, the national screen agency said.
“Following on from recent critical and box office success, the feature enterprise support of this gifted group of feature film producers will undoubtedly provide a secure base for their intentions to develop and ultimately produce their next project,” said Harley. “We need to acknowledge producers for their critical or financial success in the feature film marketplace and support their development slates in the pursuit of quality Australian feature films.”
The enterprise program selection panel included international screen business development consultants Jonathan Olsberg and Christina Willoughby as well as Harley and Screen Australia’s senior manager, state and industry partnerships Chris Oliver. The selection panel for the feature enterprise program included Harley, Tristram Miall, Screen Australia’s head of development Martha Coleman, and Oliver.
More information can be found at http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/news_and_events/2012/mr_121112_Enterprise.aspx.