A top-level delegation from Canada will attend the Screen Forever: SPAA Conference 2013 and take part in the inaugural Screen Forever: International Partnership Market (IPM), which will run alongside the main event.
Their visit to Australia follows on from the signing in Cannes this year of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Screen Producers Association of Australia (SPAA) and the Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) to enhance co-production opportunities between the two countries. Their presence also contributes to the theme of this year’s conference – Opportunities for Connection, Creativity and Growth.
SPAA’S Executive Director Matthew Deaner said, “Both SPAA and the CMPA have recently been working to find ways to enhance co-production opportunities between our screen-based producers. We have such similar cultures, strong storytelling traditions and industry support structures that it makes sense to facilitate more creative exchange. The IPM in particular will help Australian and Canadian producers build networks with each other and the other international producers attending.”
Michael Hennessy, CEO and President of the CMPA said, “With the level of competition and the cost of producing quality content both rising, the need to co-produce with natural partners like Australia has never been more apparent. The opportunities that it provides in terms of innovation and job creation have also never been greater. We live in a digital world where audiences expect the ability to access the best in content regardless of country of origin.”
The delegation will lead by the team from the CMPA: President and CEO Michael Hennessy, Managing Director Vice-President, Operations & Members Services, Liz Shorten and Vice-President Broadcasting, Policy & Regulatory Affairs, Jay Thomson. They are joined by: Carolle Brabant, Executive Director of Telefilm Canada, Valerie Creighton, President and CEO of the Canada Media Fund, Carole Vivier, Chief Executive Officer and Film Commissioner of Manitoba Film & Music as well as approximately 17 Canadian producers from a range of genres, including feature films, television, documentary and interactive.
The IPM, which will run throughout the conference as a series of one-on-one meetings, has been designed to combine and broaden the scope previously delivered by SPAAmart and a co-production market, held at last year’s conference. It is recognition that, at its core, the industry remains a relationship business where global partners are essential and it is these aspects that it hopes to facilitate. The IPM will provide opportunity for Australian feature film and television producers to develop partnerships with those of their international counterparts interested in co-productions or co-ventures.
SPAA has been working closely with Screen Australia and Ausfilm who are major sponsors of the market. The market will also include representatives from the US, UK and Israel, such as Kate Harwood, Head of Drama Production BBC, Greg Coote, Executive Producer, Larrikin Entertainment & Chairman, China Loin Film Distribution, John Zois, Director, Acquisitions & Production, FilmNation Entertainment and Zachary Studin, Vice-President of Development/Production, Lava Bear to name just a few. A full list of international delegates participating is now available at: http://screenforever.org.au/program/partnership-market/
In addition to attending the IPM members of the Canadian delegation will be involved in a session entitled Working With Canada as part of the main conference, focussing on doing business with Canadian producers, finding partners and an overview of the production landscape.
The IPM will be a selective entry market and only registered delegates can apply to participate. Selection criteria and the application form will be online by mid-October.
ALL MARKET ENQUIRIES:
Cheryl Conway, Producer, International Partnership Market
Cheryl.Conway@spaa.org.au