BUMPER YEAR FOR FILM AUSTRALIA
A strong financial performance, release of some of its most acclaimed documentaries
ever and improved delivery of library, facilities and distribution services have contributed
to one of Film Australia Limited's most successful years, as reported in the company's
Annual Report, released today.
Film Australia is a Federal Government-owned company which supports production and
distribution of documentaries in the national interest.
Film Australia's financial result is 20 per cent above the budgeted forecast, due to
increases in revenue and the achievement of operating efficiencies.
Initiatives in Film Australia's library of heritage audio-visual materials have addressed
some pressing preservation problems, whilst transfer and database work has
significantly improved access to the collection. Revenue from the associated stock-shot
sales business has increased accordingly, with income up by 37 per cent from last year's
result.
"Most importantly, especially in a year in which the nation celebrated its centenary, film
and videotape footage recording a century of Australian life has been made more
available to audiences now and in the future," Film Australia Chief Executive Sharon
Connolly said.
Use of Film Australia's Lindfield studio complex has increased during the year, with the
number of tenancies rising from 9 to 16 by the end of the financial year and a 23 per
cent growth in revenue flowing from the site. Significant improvements to company
facilities, including upgrading of both the sound stage and the Roxy Cinema, were
completed during the year.
High-profile documentaries such as Cunnamulla, by Dennis O'Rourke, and Facing the
Music, by Bob Connolly and Robin Anderson, premiered to considerable critical and
audience acclaim. Facing the Music was the most popular film at the Sydney Film
Festival in June, and Cunnamulla received the Film Critics Circle of Australia award for
Best Documentary in February.
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The Diplomat, a feature documentary following José Ramos Horta in the final year of
his long campaign for East Timorese independence, was released late in the 1999-2000
year. It has since won Australian Film Institute Awards for Best Documentary and Best
Direction in a Documentary and was the only Australian film to be invited to screen at the
prestigious Berlin International Film Festival early in 2001.
"With these and numerous other productions, Film Australia has enhanced and built
upon an enviable reputation for high quality Australian documentary and for support of
some of the country's most esteemed filmmakers. They, their films and the efforts of the
company's Promotions and Sales units have this year contributed to a strengthening
awareness of the Film Australia brand in international and domestic markets," said Ms
Connolly.
The Federal Government recently announced that, from 2002-2003, it would provide
$2.7 million annually (indexed and ongoing) to the company to support its library of
heritage film and tape materials, distribution activities and its continuing provision of
production facilities to the low-budget and documentary production sectors. In addition it
announced that the National Interest Program agreement, under which Film Australia
commissions production of documentary programs, would be renewed for five years
beginning in 2003-2004.
Chairman of Film Australia, Rob Fisher, said: "These commitments will enable the
company to implement plans for the most effective delivery of services in the years to
come. And they will facilitate better planning for the development of documentaries
which record and explore Australian life and concerns."
For media enquiries:
Tracey Mair
TM Publicity
For Film Australia
Ph: (02) 9362 8566 or 0419 221 493
October 31, 2001