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Geoffrey Atherden joins Screenrights board

Former AWG President joins royalties collection agency board, following its rift with local screenwriters.

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At its AGM this week royalties agency Screenrights announced collections totalling $47.8 million, an increase of $2 million, with distributions to members of $43.1 million, an increase of 11.7% on the previous year.

Earlier this year the Australian Writers Guild accused Screenrights of not properly paying screenwriters, launching a multi-million-dollar legal case in the Federal Court.

This week Screenrights Chairman Jill Bryant said “providing a high level of member service while continuing to innovate and prepare for the future is central to Screenrights’ ethos and key to maintaining our ongoing success. Screenrights continues to explore ways in which it can provide value to the screen industry. Disbursements by Screenrights is quickly securing its position in the disbursements market and providing a valuable service for Australian filmmakers and their investors.”

Also joining the Screenrights Board was writer Geoffrey Atherden (Mother and Son, Grass Roots) a former President of the Australian Writers’ Guild.

Re-elected to the Screenrights Board were:
• Ben Grant, Managing Director of Goalpost Pictures
• Chris Oliver-Taylor, Managing Director, Matchbox Pictures
• Dean Ormston, Head of Member Services Group APRA AMCOS and Deputy Chair of the Australian Copyright Council.

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