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INDUSTRY NETWORKING EVENT -  11 NOVEMBER 2008

ScreenLinks will be holding a ScreenMedia Indistry Networking event and the local Premiere screeening of TOMORROW, a short film written and directed by Simon Portus and filmed on the Mid North Coast. This will be followed by a the networking event.  Tuesday 11 November 2008, Bellingen Memorial Hall, Hyde Street, Bellingen.  Doors open at 6:00 pm for screening at 6:30 pm. Drinks and Networking event 7:00 pm top 8:30 pm. For more information contact Christina Hyde: info@screenLinks.org or Ph: 6648 5483

SKILLS AND FACILITIES AUDIT

ScreenLinks will be conducting a skills and facilities audit of the region over the next coming months. This will be to update the Industry Directory and to obtain a fuller picture of what facilites and resources - audio studios, editing facilites etc we have across the region. This will help me understand your business better so I can promote our industry sector more effectively. So expect a call over the coming months!!!!!

INFO FOR E-NEWS

The E-news will (hopefully) be produced during the middle of each month. If you have news, stories, events, and spotlights on screen businesses in the region, please send this information to info@screenlinks.org

Local News

THE ALBY FALZON STORY
Scotts Head filmmaker Fil Baker has just finished his documentary on life and films of Alby Falzon.Go to www.bakerfilms.tv for a preview of the film.

The World Premiere of "The Life and Films of Alby Falzon" documentary plus rarely seen 35mm footage of the 1974 Coke Classic at Manly and Narrabeen featuring MP,Lopez, Hackman, Cairns, Young, and Drouyn , will be held at the Scotts Head Bowling Club on Sunday 26th October - Doors open 5.30pm- 9pm - Complimentary drink on arrival - $20 per ticket plus DVD on sale for special price of $20 Food available including specials from club bistro.

MNC CREATIVE INDUSTRIES RESEARCH PROJECT
Visit http://www.mnccreativeindustries.blogspot.com 

Upcoming focus groups
Would you like to attend one of the Creative Industries focus groups?
You can attend groups at:
14 October Kempsey Shire Council 10am-12pm
23 October Tea Gardens (venue TBA) 10am-12pm
24 October Forster Council 10am-12pm
24 October Taree (Venue TBA) 2pm-4pm
30 October Coffs Harbour Innovation Centre CHEC 10am-12pm
RSVP essential, please contact Evolve Network Australia on Ph:65648843

Survey now open
The MNC Creative Industries Research project survey is now open. The online survey can be accessed via THIS LINK. Surveys will also be available as a hard copy version in the near future. To access more information about the project please contact the coordinator Kerry on 0404887473

Local Events

NAMBUCCA -  24–26 OCTOBER BIG SCREEN
Don't miss exciting new films at the National Film and Sound Archive's BIG SCREEN film festival at the Majestic Cinemas, Nambucca Plaza, Pacific Highway, Nambucca Heads from Friday 24-Sunday 26 October.

Meet Barry Crocker, singer and film star, at the Opening Night Friday 24 October from 6:30pm and enjoy a complimentary beer or glass of wine with the wild new film Not Quite Hollywood (MA 15+) - the untold story of 'Ozploitation' cinema - a time when the Australian film industry got its gear off and showed the worlds a full-frontal explosion of sex, violence, horror and foot-to-the-floor, full bore action!  Tickets: just $12 including refreshments. Barry also introduces a special screening of The Adventures of Barry McKenzie on Saturday 25 October 1pm. Tickets $11/9 concession.

NORTHERN RIVERS SCREENWORKS
NEW MEDIA INCUBATOR, 23 TO 25 OCTOBER 
The Northern Rivers Screenworks' New Media Incubator is a 3-day real and virtual exploration of the opportunities for creativity, culture, enterprise and production via new media distribution channels. Confirmed speakers include Tania Chambers, CEO of the FTO, ABC Local Online National Editor Richard Johnson and American Futurist from ABC TV's New Inventors, Mark Pesce.

Thursday 23 and Friday 24 October will be a hothouse for local content producers, screenwriters and visual creatives to focus on developing their own project for market release.

On Saturday 25 October there will be an intensive industry update and discussion on new media trends, regional Australia niche markets, multi-platform dealing and emerging distribution channels.

The Northern Rivers Screenworks New Media Incubator, will be held from 23 to 25 October at the Byron at Byron Resort.For further information contact Northern Rivers Screenworks www.screenworks.com.au or 02 6687 1599.

Opportunities

FTO SEEKS DIRECTOR, PRODUCTION ATTRACTION 
The NSW Government is seeking applications for the position of Director,
Production Attraction at the FTO.

The role of the Director, Production Attraction is to provide expert advice to relevant government departments related to the promotion of NSW as a film friendly location. It advises location providers, such as local councils, on filming and location matters and liaises with the production industry.

Following extensive industry consultation, the former Production Liaison Unit of the FTO is to be restructured and renamed the Production Attraction Unit. Additional jobs in the new Unit are to be advertised shortly. For more information go to the Employment section of the FTO Website www.fto.gov.nsw.au
 
AFTRS QUEENSLAND COURSES
Upcoming Queensland Industry short courses:
Budgeting the Short Film  -Brisbane – November 8
Level - Beginner to Intermediate
A one day workshop focused on preparing professional short film budgets for funding applications.Course Presenter: Vickie Gest is an accomplished and respected documentary and drama producer with a long list of credits. Over her 12 years in the industry she has worked in every production department. Her experience spans documentaries, feature films, commercials, music videos and short dramas.
Cost: $150Trop Jr - the world's largest short film festival - for kids, by kids, is calling out for entries for 2009! Entry for Trop Jr is FREE, open to kids aged 15 years and younger, and can be made online at www.tropjr.com.au .

Financing Screen Projects - Brisbane - 10 & 11 November
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Investigate innovative ways of financing screen projects in Australia.Through case studies and exercises this course explores a range of strategies for funding low and medium budget features, television and interactive content.Course Presenter: Helen Bowden Senior Producing Lecturer. Helen is currently developing the feature film Shiver with Christina Andreef, based on a best selling novel by Nikki Gemmell and set in Antarctica. She is also developing Grace, a feature film set in 1830s Tasmania with Writer/Director Jennifer Kent.  Grace was selected for the 2007 Aurora Script Workshop.
Cost: $450
If you have any queries about the short courses or need help to register please contact Carol at AFTRS Brisbane on (07) 3257 7646 or send an email to hello@aftrs.edu.au

TROP JR - ENTRIES NOW OPEN 

In Trop tradition, each film must also include a Trop Jr Signature Item (TSI), which for 2009 is SQUEEZE. This can be interpreted in any way the filmmaker chooses as long as it is referenced somewhere in the film.

For more information about Tropfest & Trop Jr:
Web: http://www.tropfest.com/
Trop Junior Web: http://www.tropjr.com/

CROSSOVER AUSTRALIA 2009 - INTERNATIONAL MENTORS ANNOUNCED, APPLICATIONS OPEN 25 AUGUST 
Crossover Australia is a 5-day interactive, residential workshop designed to brainstorm cross-platform models and projects. Participation for the 20 successful applicants is FREE.

Three Ieading international practitioners from the film and digital media sectors have been confirmed as mentors for CROSSOVER AUSTRALIA 2009. Leading the laboratory is Frank Boyd, former Director of Creative Development with the BBC's Innovation and Learning Team, currently working with Creative London.

Frank will be supported by Matt Adams, Co-Founder of Blast Theory, a group renowned for its multidisciplinary approach pioneering the use of new technologies within performance contexts and Heather Croall, director of the Sheffield International Documentary Conference, and producer of documentaries and cross platform projects for ABC, SBS and Channel 4.

Full details, guidelines and application forms are available at www.crossover.org..au. For more information for applicants, contact Kate Jarrett in Screen Industry Programs at the SA Film Corporation on (08) 8348 9307.  

FTO TO HOST INTERNATIONAL MEDIA LEADERSHIP PROGRAM - FIVE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SENIOR AND MID-LEVEL NSW SCREEN PROFESSIONALS ON OFFER The FTO will host the innovative Asia-Australia Media Executive Leadership Program (AAMELP) in Sydney from 23 to 28 November, 2008.

The FTO has partnered with Singapore's Media Development Authority and ScreenWest to bring AAMELP to Sydney for the first time and is offering five scholarships to senior and mid-level NSW screen professionals to participate in the course.

AAMELP is a five-day course designed to develop entrepreneurial,strategic leadership and management skills to enable participants to strengthen their companies and to better meet the challenges of the evolving global marketplace.

AAMELP includes a rigorous pre-course preparation process, including reading and evaluation, as well as follow-up activities at the one-month, three-month and six-month stage.

Applications must be received by close of business 27 August 2008 and the successful candidates will be notified by 15 September 2008. For more information about the scheme, applications and guidelines go to: http://www.fto.nsw.gov.au/content.asp?content=3&Id=540  

INSCRIPTION AWARDS
DEADLINE: 31 October 2008 With a total prize value of $200,000 including a trip to Los Angeles and the chance to work with a stellar cast of leading international script developers, writers and actors - the third biennial INSCRIPTION AWARDS are the biggest yet. Seven prize categories include Film, Television, Theatre, Regional, Grey Matter, Youth and Indigenous. The winner of each award category will receive a prize package worth $25,000, including $5,000 cash, $15,000 worth of intensive script development with leading international talent, and $5000 in production support. Please visit www.inscription.com.au to download an application form or email marcus@inscription.com.au or phone Marcus West on (02) 9386 5993

Funding Deadlines

DIGISPAA 2008 - ENTRIES NOW OPEN - DEADLINE SEPT 2008
DigiSPAA is designed to encourage and foster digital feature film production. Now in its fourth year, DigiSPAA provides a forum for Australian and New Zealand filmmakers to showcase their work in a competitive environment.Finalists in the DigiSPAA competition are screened during SPAA Fringe and the winner of the SPAArtan Award will be announced at the SPAA Conference in November 2008. Applications by 19th September 2008.

Digi SPAA is a creative project of the Screen Producers Association of Australia (SPAA) an industry body that represents Australian independent film and television producers on all issues affecting the business and creative aspects of screen production. For further information and enquiries go to: Daniel Scharf Email: dscharf@bigpond.net.au
Web: http://www.spaa.org.au Download 2008 Application Form:
Web: http://www.spaa.org.au/papers/digispaa08_17.12.07r.pdf

FTO PRODUCTION INVESTMENT ROUND 21 - EOI DEADLINE - JUN 10 2008, 10AM
The next call for Expressions of Interest for this production round at the FTO is open. If you intend to apply for production funding, you must lodge an EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) by 10 am, Tuesday June 10, 2008.

NO APPLICATION FORM IS REQUIRED AT THIS STAGE. This is a preliminary EOI and should consist only of the following:

1. Applicant details including company and contact details.
2. The creative team and cast attached if any (max 1 page)
3. An extended synopsis of the project, and type of project (max 1 page)
4. Proposed Financing plan and Status of finance and proposed FTO amount requested. (max 2 pages)

Once an EOI is received Project Officers will liaise with producers as the financing of their project develops. Only those projects that can demonstrate that they are completing financing, and reasonably expect to be ready before the FTO's Board meeting, can be invited to apply.

At this time, a formal application form along with usual submission materials will be required and assessment will proceed in the normal way.Funding decisions will be made at the FTO Board meeting in late July 2008.
For more information about this process:
Contact: Linda Tizard, Head of Development & Investment or Martin Williams, Senior Project Officer PH: 02-9264-6400 Email: devinv@fto.nsw.gov.au

FTO REGIONAL FILMING FUND (RFF)
The The NSW Film and Television Office supports and encourages the growth of the film and television industry in NSW through the Regional Filming Fund (RFF). It is an annual fund that is available for filmmakers that intend to film at least one week or more in any part of regional NSW. The level of assistance is based on the total amount a production will expend in a regional area and considers amounts of up to 35% of the estimated regional spend.
For eligibility and selection criteria visit: www.fto.gov.nsw.au

NSW FTO TRAVEL ASSISTANCE
The New South Wales Film & TV Office provides assistance for filmmakers to attend international festivals and markets.

Applications are accepted year round with the assessment process taking approximately four to six weeks. For details, email: devfin@fto.nsw.gov.au

NSW FTO DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
Development Assistance is provided to assist projects to reach the stage where they are ready to attract production finance.Development assistance takes the form of an investment which is repaid with interest when a project goes into production.

Funding is available for the following types of projects:
Feature Films
Television Series and Telemovies
Documentary - one off, series and large format (ie Imax)
Animation - one off, pilot and series

The FTO does not fund:
Infotainment/Lifestyle/Travel/Magazine/Sports/
Education/Game Shows
Current affairs/news programs
Community television programs
Short or experimental films (unless part of an FTO initiative such as the Young Filmmakers Fund)
Short features of less than 60 minutes duration (unless part of an FTO initiative)
Development Assistance is available in several ways:

DRAMA PACKAGE : The FTO provides development investment for both developing and experienced writers and creative teams. Fees for writers, directors, producers, script editors and other modes of project development are available over a total of three stages, from early draft through to final polish. Please read the Drama Guidelines package and the Development application form which is accessible from the column on the right.

DOCUMENTARY PACKAGE: The FTO develops scripts for a range of documentary projects, from one-off programs to series. Filmmakers can apply for fees to cover creative professionals such as writers, directors, producers, script editors, and for project based costs including research and travel for financing purposes. Please read the Documentary Guidelines package and the Development application form which is accessible from the column on the right.

New Feature Film Writer's Scheme - the Scheme offers new writers an opportunity to work with a script editor and have access to other script consultants. Refer to the separate New Feature Film Writers Scheme page, which includes a Guidelines package and application form for download via www.fto.gov.nsw.au
The FTO favours projects which:
show a commitment to quality, innovation and potential commercial viability and are creatively distinctive in their ideas

• provide a clear economic benefit to NSW and its film community
• are likely to be substantially produced in NSW
• are qualifying Australian films

Applications are accepted year round with decisions made at project committee meetings. The assessment process takes approximately eight to ten weeks. Decisions are made by the Project Committee which is made up of the Project Officers and Manager, Development and Finance, and is chaired by the FTO's Chief Executive.

Please ensure that you have carefully read and considered the relevant guidelines before making an application for Development Assistance. Project Officers can also answer queries by email devinv@fto.nsw.gov.au .

AFC FUNDING DEADLINES
The full AFC 08/09 funding deadlines will be available in June.
For full information and guidelines visit www.afc.gov.au

ABC REGIONAL RADIO FUND
The ABC Regional Production Fund commissions work form experienced radio producers and talented content providers that live outside the major capital cities. If you have an idea for a complete and delivered program which fits within an existing ABC format, an original script, a collection of oral histories, music segments etc then contact Jo Upham via email: rpf@your.abc.net.au

FFC UPDATE
NEXT CLOSING DATE FOR FUNDING APPLICATIONS Film Finance Corporation Australia The next closing date for funding applications to the FFC will be close of business June 30, 2008.

The FFC will be accepting applications for production investment for all program areas: documentary, feature film, adult television drama and children's television drama. Please note that decisions regarding these applications will be made under the auspices of the new federal screen agency, Screen Australia, which commences operation on July 1, 2008.

Meeting dates for the Screen Australia Board will be confirmed following appointment of the Chair. The FFC guidelines for application for all program areas are available at www.ffc.gov.au/investment/

It is recommended that producers contact the Investment Managers to discuss projects prior to application: Sydney office (02) 9268 2555 - Sally Browning and Chris Oliver for features and television drama, Julia Overton for documentary. Melbourne office (03) 9279 7300 - Ross Matthews, documentary, feature and television drama.

2008 AFI AWARDS - CALL FOR ENTRIES - DEADLINE JUNE 11
Entries are now open for the 2008 AFI Awards in all categories: Documentary, Short Fiction Film, Short Animation, Feature Film and Television.

For full details and to submit your production online, please visit
Web: http://www.afi.org.au For more information about AFI contact:Ph: 03 9696 1844
Email: info@afi.org.au Web: http://www.afi.org.au AFI is supported by the FTO through the Industry & Audience Development Grants program.Web: http://www.fto.nsw.gov.au/fund.asp?id=52

SCREEN AUSTRALIA - NEW PEAK INDUSTRY ORGANISATION - 1 July 2008
Screen Australia commences on 1 July 2008 following the merger of the Australian Film Commission, the Film Finance Corporation and Film Australia Ltd.

In a media statement, Arts Minister Peter Garrett said Screen Australia will receive almost $103 million in 2008-09. He confirmed that Screen Australia will administer the Producer Offset, as well as take on the Australian Film Commission's (AFC) research and statistic functions. The 2008/09 Federal Budget was released on May 13, with Mr Garrett announcing over $200 million in funding for Australia's screen industry.

The National Film and Sound Archive will receive $105.2 million over four years (including $25.2 million in 2008-09) in the final step towards its establishment as an independent statutory authority from July 1, 2008. Mr Garrett said the funding included provision for the costs of instituting a new board and CEO. "While Screen Australia will need to develop new policies and programs to address the challenges facing the film industry, I am keen to provide certainty for the industry in the short term while the merger is taking shape and to avoid any hiatus in production activity," the Minister said.

Full budget details are available in the Portfolio Budget Statement on the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts website.

2008 SPAA - 12 to 14 November
The screen industry's premier business and networking event will be held on Wednesday, 12 November to Friday 14 November at the Sheraton Mirage Resort on the Gold Coast.

SPAA is the industry association for the independent film and television industry, providing leadership and direction on all debates concerning the economics, creative and technological future of the screen production industries in Australia. It strives to create the business conditions for the industry to compete strongly in both local and overseas markets.

With the Producer Offset up and running, producers are finding new ways to finance and cash flow their productions across all genres. The Conference will focus on some of the ways producers are adapting to the opportunities afforded them by the new initiatives.

The Conference Welcome Drinks and Dinner will be held on Wednesday, 12 November. The Asia Pacific Screen Awards will be on Monday 11 November. SPAA Conference: Sheraton Mirage Resort, Gold Coast, Queensland

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