“The National Cultural Policy will set the framework for Australian Government support for arts, culture and creativity for the next ten years”

and Arts Minister Simon Crean will drop said policy on Wednesday 13th of March 2013 at the National Press Club in Canberra. GET AROUSED, YOUNG CULTURE FIENDS!

We have been now been new cultural policy starved for near 20 years and so the proposed shake down will be addressing all issues surrounding the ‘core arts‘ (music, performing arts, literature and visual arts), ‘creative industries‘ (film and television production, broadcasting, electronic games, architecture, design and fashion, publishing, media and advertising) and ‘cultural heritage‘ (Australia’s cultural heritage, and in particular, Australia’s Indigenous culture).

One of which is MOS DEF relevant to one, or ALL, of your interests.

Since the discussion paper, which can be since here was released organisations, community groups and thousands of Australians have contributed valuable suggestions and feedback. Which can be seen here.



One of the big things to come out of the whole malarkey is news that the paper will be ‘‘addressing some concerns around the location offset’’ and looking at further incentives for large scale international movies to be made in Australia, as proposed by Ausfilm in their response to the discussion paper. Who found “that the 15% (currently 16.5%) level for the Location Offset is no longer competitive due to the high Australian dollar, the decline in offshore production and the competition from incentives offered in other overseas countries and numerous territories within the United States.”



Examples of ‘Inspirational Locations’ just waiting to be filmed.all.over courtesy of Ausfilm.

The PricewaterhouseCoopers Economic Impact Study, also submitted with their paper suggested a 30% increase to the Location and PDV Offsets from 2010, become industry standard. “With

the nominal net value of inward investment (i.e. net of any incentive costs to Government) of more

than $3.3 billion over 10 years.”

That would be the same 30% offset that the Federal Government granted The Wolverine starring Hugh Jackman last year whilst working on “a case-by-case basis.”



Federal Government is probably biased. Because, handsomeness.

This same amount of offset was denied the filmmakers behind the $200 million sci-fi Jupiter Ascending, which is now set to be filmed in London. Bad luck, Australian film industry bros.

With the offset generally set at 16.5 per cent, international films are now taking their business elsewhere. Which means less $$$ being thrown the Australian Film Industry’s way, less learning opportunities for Australian film professionals and ultimately less chances for current young Australian filmmakers to forge their career path on Australian shores.

Having said that….NEW PROPOSAL!

How about we just throw a buttload of Government cash at deserving young Australian filmmakers and call it a day?



Title image by Mark Nolan via Getty



Secondary image by Junko Kimura via Getty

