Aussiewood is catching up to Hollywood
Donna Williams
May 10, 2007
The Australian film industry has been involved in some memorable and groundbreaking films - Breaker Morant, Gallipoli, The Piano, Murial's Wedding, Rabbit Proof Fence, Shine, Lantana, Ten Canoes. But with a population of only 20 million people, government funding for the film industry has always been limited and until now, the majority of recent Australian films have been made on an average budget of $4M per film (and some as low as $1M-$2M) and whilst these ultra low budget films have won awards locally and some also at international film festivals, most have failed to make it internationally.
Compare this with the average budget for a US film of $60M and upwards (with some low budget Indies being made for $15M) and you will have some idea why Australian film has struggled to produce the slick productions which make it to international distribution.
The Australian film industry, however, is undergoing major changes with the three main film financing companies, the Australian Film Corporation, Australian Film Funding Corporation and Film Australia now joining into one new company, the Australian Screen Authority (ASA) and the government has also increased FFC funding. This means bigger budget films with international appeal. Aussiewood awakens.
Donna Williams
author, artist, composer, screenwriter
http://www.donnawilliams.net
Compare this with the average budget for a US film of $60M and upwards (with some low budget Indies being made for $15M) and you will have some idea why Australian film has struggled to produce the slick productions which make it to international distribution.
The Australian film industry, however, is undergoing major changes with the three main film financing companies, the Australian Film Corporation, Australian Film Funding Corporation and Film Australia now joining into one new company, the Australian Screen Authority (ASA) and the government has also increased FFC funding. This means bigger budget films with international appeal. Aussiewood awakens.
Donna Williams
author, artist, composer, screenwriter
http://www.donnawilliams.net
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