Gallery: Screen Forever conference

Screen Forever conference kicked off online yesterday drawing upon all the technical resources of a live studio show.

Sessions today will feature US showrunner Sera Gamble (You, The Magicians, Supernatural) and Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany addressing growth strategies, platform positioning and changing audience behaviour.

While Australia has attracted multiple international productions, CEO Matt Deaner has also urged the federal government to further policy to support the sector:

If the pandemic has taught us anything, as an industry it has taught us the value of having our own house in order, so that we can have success independently of what happens in other markets and countries.

We therefore, need the Government’s focus to be on strengthening the local sector and ensuring it is robust in its own right.

There has been a lot of focus in recent months on the inbound productions, and the sugar hit they bring to local employment.

In fact – would anyone disagree if I said – too much focus?

In fact, is there anywhere left to be labelled as the Australian version of Hollywood?

Making hay while the sun shines is not a bad thing.

However, it doesn’t sustain the creative root system of the Australian industry, and its ability to create local cultural content and develop the careers of home-grown talent, in front of and behind the camera.

This, and the rise of streaming platforms, really brings into focus the challenge of market dynamics.

There is a need for a governing architecture that ensures the local sector can retain the assets and IP needed to build a sustainable business.

This sustainability provides the foundation for creative expansion and growth.

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt in this role, whatever the challenge, our sector will rise to it, and will, like a prospector panning for gold, sift and find the opportunities for success, wherever they may be.

Importantly our Governments must be open to constructive and stimulatory policy settings to help us make the most of what we hope to be a gold rush.

Getting the settings right will lead to cascading benefits in terms of jobs, economic output, export opportunities and, most importantly, a rich return to Australians in terms of the quality and quantity of culturally relevant content.

As the country continues to navigate a pandemic world, we will be there to tell the stories that make sense of our shared challenges, bring us connection and hope, and express our ideas to the world.