CONNECTING FILMMAKERS WORLDWIDE TO AUSTRALIA AUSFILM – HEAD OFFICE sydney, australia T: + 61 2 9383 4192 E: [email protected] ausfilm annual report AUSFILM – LA OFFICE Los angeles, usa T: + 1 310 229 2362 E: [email protected] www.ausfilm.com 2013-2014 The Whitsundays, Queensland connecting FILMMAKERS worldwide to AUSTRALIA Cover Image: The Pinnacles, Western Australia The LEGO ® Movie © Warner Bros., all rights reserved 4 CONTENTS 1.0 AUSFILM OvERvIEW AND History 5.0 Production ActivITy AND Attraction 5.1 productions attracted 2.0 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 5.2 new contacts and leads 3.0 CEO'S REPORT 5.3 familiarisation tours/inbounds 4.0 MARKETING & Promotion 5.4 la meetings 4.1 campaigns 6.0 INDUSTRy Collaboration & ADvocacy 4.1.1 ausfilm week, los angeles 6.1 industry collaboration 4.1.2 afm 6.2 ministerial and MFTA advice and information 4.1.3 ausfilm tV week, london 6.3 advocacy 4.1.4 australia china film industry forum 7.0 MEMBERSHIP 4.1.5 toronto international film festival 7.1 member Gains and losses 4.1.6 mipcom 7.2 client introductions and meetings scheduled 4.1.7 AFCI cineposium 7.3 member and client communication 4.1.8 strategic partners co-production market 7.4 outlook 4.1.9 sundance 4.1.10 south by southwest 8.0 GOvERNANCE 4.1.11 pm’s ceo Delegation to north america 8.1 funding agreement 4.1.12 AFCI locations expo 8.2 accounting 4.2 sponsorship south8.3 by sfouthwestinance, audit and risk committee 4.2.1 G’Day usa 8.4 Board meetings 4.2.2 australians in film 8.5 amendment to the constitution 4.2.3 AACTA international awards 9.0 APPENDICES 4.2.4 SPA conference 9.1 email communications 4.2.5 ojai international film festival 9.2 website Visits 4.2.6 miff 37 south market 9.3 ausfilm la executive meetings 4.3 General marketing materials 9.4 organisation chart 4.3.1 ausfilm week la & ausfilm tV week london 9.5 ausfilm Board 4.3.2 factsheets 4.3.3 member Directory 10.0 FINANCE, AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE REPORT 4.3.4 showreel 4.3.5 other materials 4.4 media and publicity 4.4.1 advertising 4.4.2 public relations 4.5 Digital communication 4.5.1 website 1.0 AUSFILM OvERvIEW & history | 2013-14 HIGHLIGHTS AUSFILM OvERvIEW AUSFILM - Connecting FILMMAKERS Worldwide to AUSTRALIA ausfilm is an australian industry-government partnership whose members comprise australia’s federal and state Governments, the major studios and the leading post and digital effects facilities and production service providers. ausfilm promotes australia’s screen production incentive schemes, locations and capabilities worldwide to assist international screen producers to make their productions in australia. ausfilm also provides informed advice to the australian Government and its agencies on issues concerning the industry sector that services offshore production in australia. in 1989 a small group of australian companies responded to an increased level of history enquiries received by austrade’s los angeles office from Hollywood producers looking to shoot in australia; they saw a need to create a bridge between the australian and Hollywood film and television industries for the benefit of the whole industry. the companies decided to share the costs for in-bound scouts to showcase australia’s locations, infrastructure and capabilities. subsequently in 1994, with the support of austrade, the export film services association (EFSA) was established and then in 1998 the EFSA became ausfilm incorporated with an executive in la working out of the austrade offices and an executive in sydney. today ausfilm is a unique private-public partnership of about 30 members; a not-for- profit organisation funded by member subscription fees and a quadrennial federal Government funding agreement. there are three full-time staff in la and five staff in the sydney office. » ausfilm continues to advocate for an increase in the location offset to 30%. 2013-14 HIGHLIGHTS » major missions in la and london (october 2013) and more recently in shanghai (June 2014), business matching projects and showcasing australia’s talent, services and facilities. » ausfilm ceo invited to travel with the prime minister’s ceo trade delegation to north america (June 2014). » ausfilm hosted seven inbound scouts during the reporting period to provide location surveys and to introduce the prospective client to the facilities, services and key crew that can assist in bringing productions to australia. »» The»Moon»and»the»Sun,»Unbroken»and San»Andreas»shot in australia with assistance from the location incentive fund. these 3 projects directly employed over 6,300 australians in 3 states (Vic, QlD & nsw) and attracted inward investment of over $150m. »» The»LEGO»Movie made in sydney by animal logic, utilising an innovative animation technique, had a successful international release taking $us467 million worldwide and spawning plans for a sequel. © 2013 The Railway Man Twentieth Century Fox 01 2.0 CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 2013-2014 HAS there is recognition that the current (rising sun pictures) and lynne and has also continued to greatly assist level of the location offset is no longer Benzie (Village roadshow studios) as ausfilm’s key advocacy work both at the BEEN A yEAR attractive at 16.5% and industry wide corporate member representatives. federal and state level. support to increase the level to 30%. OF significant while ausfilm continues to advocate for catherine was also reappointed by the the Board met six times during activITy By this increase, we have seen significant Board as Deputy chairperson. However, the 2013-14 year, with meetings in results in the past year with the new at the last Board meeting of the year melbourne, adelaide, sydney and los AUSFILM, including location incentive fund for large budget catherine tendered her resignation angeles. the Board has been greatly ITS CONTINUED productions ($20million), bringing three as Deputy chair and Board member. assisted in its governance function by international productions to australia – catherine has served ausfilm with the finance, audit and risk committee, ADvocacy work at Unbroken,»The»Moon»and»the»Sun»and great distinction, commitment and chaired by maureen Barron, ceo, THE FEDERAL LEvEL San»Andreas.» intelligence for many years and i am screen nsw. sure you will all join with me in thanking to KEEP AUSTRALIA During the year there was a change her for her invaluable contribution to During the year the Board also of government at the federal level. the work of the association. the Board reappointed Debra richards as ceo for internationally ausfilm appreciates the support of elected Zareh nalbandian to be the a further three year contract. i want to COMPETITIvE AS the australian Government and the Deputy chair. acknowledge Debra and the ausfilm general support of the australian staff and thank them for their invaluable A production screen production incentives from as a result of catherine’s resignation contribution and assistance. destination. all parties within the parliament. two corporate member Board positions ausfilm continued to provide advice and become vacant for the coming year the ausfilm Board and the team both information to the new Government with lynne Benzie’s term expiring at in la and sydney thank you for your in relation to screen production, the 2014 aGm. lynne is eligible for re- contribution and ongoing commitment domestically and internationally, and election if she chooses to nominate. to your organisation throughout the engaged with other commonwealth past year. agencies for the exchange of also during the year, Bryan lowe, information and coordination of ceo, screen Queensland resigned as Bob mcmullan promotional and marketing activities. screen agency Board member. Jennie chairman i particularly wish to acknowledge and Hughes as acting ceo attended one thank senator the Hon. George Brandis, Board meeting until new ceo, tracey Qc, minister for the arts and attorney- Vieira joined maureen Barron, richard General, and the departmental officers Harris, Jenni tosi and fiona cameron of the ministry for the arts, canberra. as screen agency Board members this year. i also wish to thank ian Booth, the make-up of the ausfilm Board screen west, who has assisted the changed during the year. at the 2013 Board as an observer during the year. annual General meeting (aGm) caroline pitcher of iloura/DDp studios was the ausfilm Board continues to provide re-elected for another three year term. a dedicated investment of time and caroline joined Zareh nalbandian focus on the work of ausfilm ensuring (animal logic), catherine mcDonnell, it is positioned as an internationally (fox production services), tony clark respected screen marketing agency 03 3.0 CEO'S REPORT AUSFILM CONTINUED with the assistance of the much throughout the year ausfilm continued pDV vendors competitive. there team continues to strive to deliver the in-demand location incentive fund, to provide a range of services and continues to be international interest in best service possible to our members ITS ADvocacy to three major projects - The»Moon»and»the» activities including research and projects that can access the producer with michelle sandoval, Vivien flitton KEEP AUSTRALIA Sun,»Unbroken and»San»Andreas shot advocacy, marketing and promotion, offset at higher budget levels and where and up until february 2014, tracey in australia during the year. all three advice and information, and marquee australian talent is attached. Vieira in la; and with Kristy officer, internationally projects were supported by the ausfilm sponsorship of relevant international ausfilm will continue to market the nick Herd, caroline raffan, annie lucas COMPETITIvE for inbound program and directly employed and domestic events. opportunities to work in australia and and Jenny Brooks (part/time) in sydney. over 6,300 australians and attracted with australians to the world.