Minister for Creative Industries, Martin Foley last night announced a new strategy for Victoria’s creative industries signaling a welcome vision for Victoria’s screen sector. The Creative State strategy highlights synergies across the screen sector to capture its potential for growth.
The strategy recognises the significant contribution of Victoria’s film, television and games industries to the state, and outlines key actions to directly benefit industry. It will help ensure a dedicated pipeline of production activity, and provide confidence and stability to screen businesses in the coming years.
Continued investment in Screen professional development aims to strengthen Victorian screen practitioners by developing and increasing practical skills and industry knowledge.
A new focus on the growth of Screen businesses, will build long term capability and strengthen the sector through supporting screen businesses looking to expand their operations by creating new business streams and market relationships.
Screen production and events will see sustained funding to support screen businesses and practitioners through the production of high quality, diverse and engaging film, television and online content; production attraction to the state; development and marketing support for Victoria’s games sector; and support for a range of film festivals and events.
Melbourne’s dynamic games sector will also benefit from the continued support of Melbourne International Games Week, connecting international attendees with Victorian talent.
The strategy is a welcome initiative for Victorian screen businesses and practitioners across film, television and games, providing access to diverse opportunities such as development and production opportunities, business acceleration, co-working spaces and creative places, and trade and cultural missions.
Creative State is available to view on the Creative Victoria website.
In 2014-15 the Victorian screen industry, comprising the film, television and games sectors contributed an estimated $1.4 billion to the State’s gross state product and over 11,500 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
Quotes attributable to Film Victoria Chief Executive Officer Jenni Tosi
"The new Creative State strategy recognises the valuable contribution the screen sector makes to Victoria’s creative industries, and demonstrates Government’s commitment to seeing it continue to thrive.”
“This significant funding commitment will provide stability and certainty for the Victorian screen industry in the coming years. It will help bolster Victoria’s film, television and games businesses and practitioners, and ensure the sector is positioned to continue delivering high-quality, engaging Australian screen content for audiences here and around the world to enjoy.”