Can Independent Filmmakers in Australia and the U.S. Unite?
Australian stories drown in sea of American films
“WHILE many are talking about the resurgence of the Australian film industry, revenue from overseas sales has slumped.” …
“The soaring number of “independent films”, produced cheaply with international stars outside the Hollywood system, had made it harder for Australian releases to attract attention overseas.” …
“Under the Government’s review of film funding, the corporation has lobbied for a new tax offset that would attract more private investment to the industry.
It has also argued that the existing tax offset for higher-budget productions be increased from 12.5 per cent to 15 per cent to rival the incentives offered by other countries chasing offshore Hollywood productions.”
Garry Maddox, Film Writer, Sydney Morning Herald, October 27, 2006
Read the full article at http://tinyurl.com/yja98h
American independent filmmakers are also great storytellers, but a common criticism of our work is that we don’t have enough of an international perspective. Many films are hugely successful in film festivals across the country, but they have trouble getting picked up for distribution. One key reason is that the themes and casting are too U.S.-centric, and distributors cannot market them effectively overseas.
Isn’t it time for Australian and U.S. filmmakers to start collaborating?
U.S. based filmmakers have the potential to tap into private investor financing. Hundreds of independent films have been funded this way. Certain states like New Mexico, Louisiana, and New York have attractive local production incentives. However, these funding sources still leave huge gaps. I’m sure that creative filmmakers can figure out how to bridge those gaps and launch projects by establishing co-productions with partners in Australia. Filmmakers in Australia can often contribute lower cost production, access to government financing, and a geographical location that is itself a major film marketplace (as well as a gateway to territories in Asia).
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FilmBiz101
THE TROPFEST@TRIBECA PROGRAM
Tropfest@Tribeca was created in the spirit of the original Tropfest in Australia to recognize the critical role that short films play in the craft of filmmaking.
The first Tropfest@Tribeca place on April 28 at the World Financial Center. Eight original Tropfest@Tribeca shorts premiered, followed by the eight Tropfest Classics . A jury of New York and Australian celebrities and film industry members awarded the filmmakers of Best Tropfest@Tribeca film $2,500 cash and Apple’s Final Cut Pro editing suite. Aussies in NYC and around the U.S. are buzzing about what we are sure will become an exciting annual event!
http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org/video-tropfest.html
Oct 26th, 2006
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