SPA Joins Global Petition to Protect Independent Filmmaking and Audiovisual Works – Screen Producers Australia (SPA) is pleased to join with more than 100 representatives from the film and audiovisual sector across the world in calling on governments to stand firm and maintain their support for cultural and creative independence so that audiences can continue to access their own local screen stories.
“SPA endorses the stated right of countries to create and maintain their own cultural policies and regulatory systems, which should recognise the importance of ownership and control of our works’ intellectual property,”
– SPA CEO Matthew Deaner said.
“As the global statement says, these measures form the foundation of a healthy audiovisual ecosystem, allowing the economic value generated by creative works to benefit domestic creators right-holders, reinforcing the cultural plurality of local film and audiovisuals sectors around the world, and supporting the international circulation of diverse, independent film and audiovisual works.”
“The international statement of cultural independence is an important declaration of the importance of local content rules. All audiences, no matter what their country of birth, residence or identity are entitled to see and hear their own stories on their screens, created and made by their own people.
“However, this is not something that we can take for granted as the right of our government to make rules that ensure our independent screen sector faces continual threats and attacks.
“SPA has strongly welcomed the affirmation of the independence stance of Australia under this intense pressure, with Prime Minister Albanese confirming support for ‘Australian stories to stay on Australian screens’ on 3 April.
“Just last week at Screen Forever, the consensus was that the only secure way forward for our industry is to focus our efforts on our own screen stories, through building and maintaining a resilient local industry that can better withstand these global shocks.
“To deliver on this promise, the Australian Government should move ahead quickly to deliver local content rules on streaming platforms and bring the past three years of consultation to a conclusion. The uncertainty that currently prevails is bad for our screen businesses and bad for Australian audiences.”
You can read the full statement HERE.
View the petition HERE.
Media Release – SPA
Link to SPA HERE
TV Central Screen Australia content HERE
SPA Joins Global Petition to Protect Independent Filmmaking and Audiovisual Works
