Support for the WA Screen Industry into the Future
Minister for Local Government; Heritage; Culture and the Arts Hon. David Templeman MLA...
Minister for Local Government; Heritage; Culture and the Arts Hon. David Templeman MLA, Screenwest Board Chair John Driscoll and Lotterywest Board Chair Professor Peter Klinken AC.
Support for the WA Screen Industry into the Future
Lotterywest has committed $6.3 million in funding to Screenwest to continue to support the Western Australian Screen Industry in 2020-21 which elevates the support already committed by the State Government of Western Australia through the Western Australian Screen Fund
This vital assistance will enable Screenwest to support screen projects within the state with development and production funding. An allocation of the Lotterywest funds will also be targeted to talent development, audience and community engagement activities and Indigenous and diversity initiatives to support projects which explore diverse Western Australian stories.
Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman said the McGowan State Government recognised the importance of the screen industry in the wider arts ecology.
“A vibrant, innovative and diverse screen industry creates jobs, diversifies the economy and tells our uniquely Western Australian stories,” he said.
“Screenwest plays a crucial role supporting the sector to tell these stories, while showcasing our incredible places and people to the rest of Australia and the world.
“This Lotterywest funding, along the Western Australian Screen Fund, will provide even more fantastic opportunities for our local screen industry professionals to develop, produce and promote their work.”
Lotterywest A/CEO Jeremy Hubble said this grant will target the development and promotion of film, television and digital media across the State.
“Lotterywest is proud to continue its long running support for Western Australia’s screen industry with a grant that will deliver economic and community benefit for this creative community,” Mr Hubble said.
He added, “Screenwest provides a platform showcasing Western Australia’s unique character and world class talent to international audiences.”
Screenwest Board Chair John Driscoll explained, “Lotterywest are a key contributor to the vibrancy and growth of the Western Australian Screen Industry and their continued support is greatly appreciated.”
He added, “The ability to tell diverse, Western Australian stories from a unique WA perspective has never been more important, and we are seeing growth in global demand for Western Australian screen content. Lotterywest supports us to be able to tell these stories, which might not otherwise come to life on screen.”
Screenwest CEO Willie Rowe said, “The sustained support from Lotterywest enables the Western Australian Screen Industry to adapt and thrive, and their support has been particularly vital for the sector throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Recently Lotterywest supported Screenwest to deliver the WA Screen Industry Sustainability package, with the aim to support the industry for six months through the COVID-19 pandemic. The support initiatives including Bright Ideas and Taking Care of Business were exceptionally well received by the industry and to date are working as intended.
The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries also supported Screenwest’s decision to repurpose savings from its 2019-20 operational budget back into production, which has ensured there will be no shortfall from special initiatives to support the industry through COVID-19.
In June, the State Government announced an extension of the $16 million Western Australian Screen Fund, which supports productions to shoot in regional areas, over a further four years. This funding has been instrumental in expanding the local industry and attracting larger budget, interstate and international productions to Western Australia.
The Western Australian screen industry is well placed to enter a vibrant period of production, post COVID-19 and Screenwest will work closely with its State Government partners The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and Lotterywest and the local industry to support and celebrate WA’s resilient sector into the future.
Contact Screenwest
T: +61 8 6169 2100
E: info@screenwest.com.au
www.screenwest.com.au
www.filminwesternaustralia.com.au
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