Screen Queensland announces Enterprise Queensland Program funding recipients
Screen Queensland announces Enterprise Queensland Program funding recipients.
Screen Queensland today announced the six companies to receive funding under the agency’s new initiative, the Enterprise Queensland Program.
“The Enterprise Queensland Program is an important part of our long-term commitment to assist in the development and creation of a sustainable screen sector which can achieve significant and beneficial economic, cultural and social outcomes for Queensland,” said Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieira.
“The program is designed to stimulate a strong screen community that prioritises strong returns on investment, build commercial and entrepreneurial capacity and help screen businesses achieve sustainable long-term growth.
“It will enable our state to become more competitive in the global screen marketplace and in turn attract increased levels of private investment and marketplace attachments.”
The architects behind the Enterprise Queensland Program have built a program to support Queensland-based enterprises and attract new and successful businesses to Queensland who will stimulate economic activity and who have a proven track record in producing any combination of feature film, television drama, television series, documentary or factual programming.
Grants of up to a maximum of $150,000 per annum over a two year period ending 30 June 2015 and June 30 2016 will be provided to local and interstate companies that develop and expand their business in terms of turnover, jobs, capabilities, investment and the cultural footprint they will leave on screen.
The recipients of the inaugural Enterprise Queensland Program are Ludo Studio, Essential Media and Entertainment, Bunya Productions, Matchbox Pictures, Two Little Indians and Hoodlum.
Arts Minister Ian Walker said the Queensland Government recognised the critical role the Queensland screen industry played in achieving great things for this state.
“Queensland screen businesses deliver immeasurable cultural benefits for our communities through showing us that our local stories matter and can inspire us through sharing issues that help shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us,” he said.
Ms Vieira adds, “The Enterprise Queensland recipients have developed a range of company specific strands that will focus on innovative and risk-taking projects such as the creation of original IP through high-level writing initiatives, and new business development models to extend the capacities of the industry.
“The uniqueness of our business is that benefits granted to these companies will have a positive impact on the entire industry. We need an industry that is agile, prepared for the changes that are upon us, while drawing on the enduring skills of creative vision, craft and an ability to reach audiences.
“In order to continue Queensland’s growth trajectory in screen production, we need to grow our industry base in ways of traditional bricks and mortar enterprises plus digital expansion into the digital and multiplatform space. This will be achieved by the Enterprise Queensland Program.”
An Assessment Panel consisting of industry and Screen Queensland representatives assessed each business plan against the strength of the business plan, track record, slate of projects, resources of the applicant and estimated Queensland Production Expenditure. For further information please visit screenqueensland.com.au.
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For media enquiries, please contact:
Angela Samut
Communications & Marketing Manager
Screen Queensland
T +61 7 3248 0500 | M 0405 536 548
E asamut@screenqld.com.au
About Screen Queensland:
Screen Queensland is the Queensland Government screen agency based in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast. Screen Queensland’s role is to develop and support a creative, innovative and commercially sustainable screen industry in Queensland, attract production to Queensland, and celebrate an active screen culture across the state.
Screen Queensland recognises the screen industry’s vital contribution to the nation’s cultural landscape including its ability to showcase Australia’s rich, cultural diversity, facilitate cultural engagement, stimulate cultural tourism and reflect the national voice and identity on screen.
Screen Queensland supports and promotes a screen industry that makes productions designed to entertain and connect with worldwide audiences. It is focused on driving the growth of the state’s screen industries across all platforms – film, television, multiplatform, digital and games – and in doing so, generates broader economic and employment benefits across metropolitan and regional Queensland. www.screenqueensland.com.au.
