Screen NSW gains new powers to boost Australian production and tackle AI
Screen NSW, the agency at the helm of the Australia’s biggest production state, has been granted new powers and revamped resourcing to further drive the local industry.
Matthew Deaner
In a long-awaited announcement, the New South Wales government revealed the details of its new three year, Screen and Digital Games Strategy yesterday.
Under the new strategy the Government is creating a A$200,000 (US$133.800) IP ‘option fund’ that will give producers the ability to purchase Australian IP rights, defined as those belonging to novels, non-fiction work and podcasts, in order to develop them into screen and gaming content.
The strategy also tackles the impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) on the sector, tasking Screen NSW to convene an industry working group to develop an Australian industry response to AI, and review funding guidelines.
At the heart of the strategy is the introduction of new legislation in 2025 to ensure “screen-friendly” approaches across local councils and state government agencies.
The proposed NSW Screen and Digital Games Act, would effectively bolster the state as a film-friendly jurisdiction, “reducing red-tape and providing the highest level of cooperation across government with filmmakers to maximise opportunities for the sector.”
Significantly for Screen NSW, it would bolster the agency with greater independence via new powers given to the head of Screen NSW to escalate critically urgent production issues for immediate government response and reporting directly to the deputy secretary.
In other measures, the legislation would also propose to shorten investment approval timeframes, contracting and payment terms.
NSW Minister for the Arts John Graham said: “Our people, our stories, and our skills, these are the reasons why more than half of Australian screen production happens here in NSW. This strategy sets out how the government and the industry could work together to build on that.”
The industry has largely welcomed the initiative with Screen Producers Australia stating the strategy delivers a much-needed confidence boost at a difficult time for the industry.
SPA chief Matthew Deaner said the new approach would enable Screen NSW to be more responsive to industry needs and provides a balm to “the current downturn in production, difficult commissioning conditions and the stalled regulation of dominant streaming platforms being felt everywhere.”
Additionally, a A$1m pilot programme addressing skills shortages will be developed and rolled out with educational facilities TAFE, AFTRS and NIDA to fast-track entry level and mid-career below the line practitioners. The government has also addressed the critical lack of filming infrastructure in NSW and will explore new partnerships with the private sector to develop alternate options for studio space, including a second studio in the inner city of Sydney.
In line with rival states, digital gaming has been escalated on the investment agenda with a renewed focus on the reaping benefits from the sector with new incentives to support games production and an ambitious target to increase NSW revenue for digital games to A$406.4m in 2027-28.