annual report 2009/2010 Contents 1 Introduction 10 Achievements 40 Report of operations 56 Financial statements Introduction Film Victoria is the State Government agency that provides strategic leadership and assistance to the film, television and digital media industries of Victoria. We invest in projects and businesses, and promote Victoria as a world-class production destination nationally and internationally. Our screen industry plays a crucial role in Victoria’s cultural, Initially constituted as the Victorian Film Corporation in 1976 economic and social development. It generates jobs and under an Act of Parliament, the Corporation became Film business activity, and enriches our cultural life by capturing local Victoria in 1982 by virtue of the Film Victoria Act (1981). In 1997, narratives, voices and important ideas. the functions of Film Victoria were amalgamated with those of Through our financial support the film and television industry the State Film Centre of Victoria to form Cinemedia Corporation, is able to create entertaining, culturally significant and innovative under the Cinemedia Corporation Act 1997. The Film Act 2001 projects that Victorian audiences want to see and experience; abolished Cinemedia Corporation and established Film Victoria stories about our history, society and life on screen. and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) as separate statutory authorities. In November 2006, Film Victoria Our digital media programmes support the development of moved from the Arts portfolio to Innovation, and reports to the diverse projects for online, mobile and video game platforms with Minister for Innovation, Gavin Jennings MLC. an emphasis on technical, creative or design innovation. The Film Act 2001 defines Film Victoria’s role as to provide: Through our work to promote Victoria as a leading production destination nationally and internationally, we’re also able to ‘Strategic leadership and assistance to the film, television attract production, post-production and visual effects to the and multimedia industry of Victoria to encourage innovation state. This enhances opportunities for employment and skills and the creation of new projects of high quality that are of development, creates business prospects and generates economic or cultural benefit to Victoria’. a substantial boost for the Victorian economy. The result of our activity is a film, television and digital media industry that can demonstrate growth over time, with businesses becoming more sustainable. This ultimately achieves our vision for the Victorian screen industry to have a world-leading screen economy and culture. Introduction 1 Our Vision Our vision is for Victoria to have a world-leading screen economy and culture. Our Mission Our mission is to lead an innovative screen industry to deliver engaging, world class content that enriches our cultural life, and generates jobs, prosperity and creative opportunities. Our Services Our staff support the film, television and digital media industry by: • Providing professional and business development support to foster industry business growth and a skilled workforce • Supporting the creation and production of original screen content and encouraging audience engagement • Marketing and developing the state as a world-class production destination to increase the economic value of Victoria’s film and television production industry • Developing and leading industry policy on behalf of the Victorian Government 2 Film Victoria Annual Report 2009/2010 Our Corporate Governance We report to the Minister for Innovation, Gavin Jennings MLC. We work closely with the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development (DIIRD) and other government bodies including the Victorian Major Events Company and Australian Centre for the Moving Image, and are guided by the Government’s five-year Victorian Screen Industry Strategy. Organisational Chart Minister for Innovation Department of Innovation, Industry Film Victoria Board and Regional Development Chief Executive Officer Directorate Strategy Policy Development Marketing Events Industry Development Business Affairs Melbourne Film Office and Investment Finance Production Attraction Content Creation Information Technology Policy Liaison Professional Development Human Resources Production Services Business Development Records Management Production Investment Legal Cash Flow Facility Audience Engagement Introduction 3 Our Strategic Objectives Objective One: Develop an Innovative Industry • Support and invest in innovative Objective Two: local projects that1 reflect Australian Build Skills and Capacity perspectives and engage audiences • Identify and encourage industry growth • Create a strategic framework and opportunities Objective Three: action plans for screen industry • Support professional2 development Market Victoria and sustainability and other approaches to foster a skilled Attract Production • Maximise opportunities for local and productive workforce • Position Melbourne and provincial production and post-production activity • Work with industry, associations Victoria as a world-class3 production • Build local and international and other government agencies to destination relationships that benefit the Victorian improve business skills capability • Increase international and national screen industry production and post-production activity • Recognise best practice in creative and in Victoria business partnerships and projects • Build awareness and recognition of Victorian product and talent in Australia and overseas 4 Film Victoria Annual Report 2009/2010 Objective Four: Enhance Audience Engagement • Increase opportunities for people Objective Five: to view, understand4 and appreciate Shape Industry Policy local content • Provide an integrated and focused • Support organisations, events and industry policy framework that Objective Six: initiatives that engage audiences enhances sustainability,5 cultural Strengthen Organisational outcomes, innovation and excellence Capability • Strengthen Film Victoria’s research • Provide effective, efficient and and analysis capacity, and transparent corporate6 services, management and dissemination business systems and infrastructure of industry knowledge to achieve Film Victoria’s strategic objectives • Maintain corporate governance, through policies, procedures, relevant legislation and Departmental standards • Value and enhance our people and their skills Introduction 5 Board Members John Howie Katherine Blashki Jo Dawson President With a background in Communications Jo is a chartered accountant with John has been President of the Film Arts and Information Technology faculties extensive experience in financial services Victoria Board since 2003 and was at numerous universities, Katherine is also and wealth management developed formerly the Chair of Film Victoria between known for her experience in the interactive through senior roles at National Australia 1989 and 1992. He was a member of the media sector, focusing on creating Bank and Deloitte. Jo has excellent Film and Television Industry Task Force, narrative and systems development. management and strategy experience, which reported to the State Government in Katherine has a new position as and brings a strong corporate governance 2000, the Chair of the Film and Television Director of Research and Education background to the Board through Strategy Committee in 2005 and is a at the Australian Film, Television and experience developed in a range of member of the Victorian Screen Industry Radio School (AFTRS) and Chair of New environments, including CFO of National Roundtable which delivered its strategy in Media Technologies, a collaboration Financial Management. She is Managing 2009. A lawyer and former senior partner between the faculties of Arts, Science Director and adviser with Executive in the firm of Howie & Maher Solicitors, and Technology at Deakin University. Wealth Strategies, a financial planning John now acts as Special Counsel for Katherine’s research and writing credits practice established in 2002, and is also a Williams Winter Solicitors. He is Chair of include over 100 papers and journals, director of the general insurance company Victoria Legal Aid, and a member of the along with participation in community, Catholic Church Insurances Limited. Melbourne and Olympic Park Trust and the industry and international consultancies in Montsalvat Foundation. communications, IT and interactive media. Siu Ling Hui Ana Kokkinos Kim McGrath Siu Ling is the Principal/Director of In- Ana is an independent filmmaker based Kim McGrath joined the Board in 2010. Context Finance, which provides financial in Melbourne who commenced her career She has over 20 years experience in public consulting, financial management and as a lawyer and industrial officer before policy development and implementation strategic business advisory services to graduating from the VCA School of Film and in a range of portfolio areas, including the small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Television. She directed and co-wrote the screen industry and governance. She is She is an accredited sponsor of the award-winning films ONLY THE BRAVE and currently engaged by the United Nations Australian Small Scale Offerings Board HEAD ON, the latter selected for Director’s Development Program on the former (ASSOB). Previously the holder of Fortnight at Cannes and the winner of Victorian Premier, Steve Bracks’ Timor- management positions with GE Capital, numerous awards including an AWGIE