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COVID-19 update: the SAFC's response
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As the COVID-19 situation continues to present new challenges for the SA screen sector, the SAFC continues to work to develop new strategies and initiatives to best support you and your work.
Nearly 200 people tuned in to our Virtual Town Hall Meeting last Thursday, and the replay has now been viewed nearly 500 times - far more people than we could have fit in the Adelaide Studios Screening Theatre for a regular event.
You can now read a full transcript of the event on our website, as well as review a summary of the SAFC's current and proposed COVID-19 support measures, which include: increasing the funds available for development, providing free business resilience training and mentoring for SA screen businesses (see story below), launching the 2020 Lottie Lyell Award, helping crew and screen service providers by overhauling our Crew and Services Directory, and discounting rent for Adelaide Studios tenants.
We have also announced a temporary approach to development funding called Targeted Development Funding and Matched Market Funding, for which we are currently seeking sector feedback. You can read more about this in the COVID-19 Support Measures page of our website.
Today the State Government has also announced one-off $10,000 Emergency Cash Grants for small businesses affected by the COVID-19 crisis. To learn more and see if you're eligible, read the announcement on Premier.sa.gov.au.
We would like to thank everyone who has sent through feedback, questions and ideas to us so far; we are going through all your emails, and encourage all members of the sector to continue to communicate with us via email at programs@safilm.com.au
Image: SAFC Adelaide Studios building, Glenside. Photo by Kelly Barnes.
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COVID-19 resources for screen creatives
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If you're seeking information on Government, financial or business support for the COVID-19 emergency, or just looking for a way to connect with other screen sector members, there are many online resources available for you.
◼️ Find answers to frequently asked questions, as well as links to relevant Government and business support services, on the SAFC's dedicated COVID-19 FAQ page.
◼️ Find a summary of all current and proposed SAFC COVID-19 support measures and funding initiatives on our COVID-19 Support Measures page.
◼️ SA producer Kirsty Stark has compiled information from different members of the industry to create an SA Film/TV Industry Google Spreadsheet, which is being updated by sector members as a valuable shared resource. All members of the sector are welcome to join the document to list resources, share details of online meet-up events and links to SA made entertainment available for streaming.
◼️ Newly established Facebook groups SA Screen Industry and Screen Australia's Australian Screen News are a great place to share information and connect with other screen creatives.
◼️ Many screen agencies and organisations are doing regular webinars and online information sessions: scroll down to the Upcoming Events section at the bottom of this newsletter to see just a few.
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EOIs close soon for free business training
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As part of a raft of support measures against the impacts of COVID-19, the SAFC is making free Business Resilience Training and Business Mentorship available to all members of the SA screen sector.
Conducted by specialist companies with expertise in screen business support, this training will be tailored to participants' needs to assist them with support strategies for how to get through this challenging period, prepare for the recovery phase and be in the best position to take advantage of emerging opportunities on the other side.
The SAFC is funding this training for all sectors of the industry - from cast and crew to freelancers, key creatives, independent producers, production companies, PDV companies, games companies and more.
Expressions of interest for the free training sessions close at midnight on Friday, April 24.
To register your interest in attending a session, submit your Expression of Interest via the SAFC's online grants portal.
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Get your game on: fund open for second round
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Calling all SA game developers: the SAFC's Games Innovation Fund is open for round two applications!
Applicants can apply for up to $25,000 development funding for educational games, narrative and non-narrative games, VR, mobile, tablet, console, PC, multi-platform games and more.
Games developer and SAFC Games Consultant Vee Pendergrast will host an online information session via Zoom tonight (Thursday 9 April) at 6.00pm ACST to explain the fund and how best to pitch an application. Registrations are essential - click here to find out more.
Launched in August 2019, the Games Innovation Fund is designed to boost the progress of outstanding, original and creative digital games for production in SA.
Inaugural recipients included Exbleative for alien craft game Exo One, Melonhead Games for platform game Rooftop Renegade, and Top Chop Games for their Ultra Casual Game Collection.
Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said the call for applications is a timely reminder of how important the development of the games sector is for SA.
“We are pleased to continue to invest in South Australia’s thriving local games sector, particularly in these challenging times. With the World Health Organisation now recommending the population use active video games to keep mentally and physically active while isolating, there is no better time to support South Australia’s games creatives through this initiative," he said.
To find out more and apply online, visit safilm.com.au/games
Image: Rooftop Renegade by Melonhead Games. Image supplied.
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First Day and Stateless have critics raving
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Two new South Australian made drama series have wrapped up their seasons on ABC with rave reviews from both audiences and critics.
SAFC supported children's series First Day, about a 12 year old transgender girl navigating the challenges of starting a new school, dazzled critics with its four episode run on ABC ME last week.
The Sydney Morning Herald declared it "unmissable" and "impressive", while The Australian described it as "inspiring for young people and illuminating for adults" and "a step forward in the responsible representation of the LGBTQIA+ community onscreen". The Sunday Age called it "raw and fresh", while TV website TV Tonight gave the show 4.5 stars, saying star Evie Macdonald is "destined for big things".
SAFC supported and SA shot and produced series Stateless wrapped up on 5 April, concluding a six week run as the top rating drama nationally on Sunday nights.
The series, which will stream internationally later this year through Netflix, scored rave reviews worldwide: it received 4.5 stars from the Sydney Morning Herald and four stars from each The Guardian and ArtsHub, while The Hollywood Reporter called it "original" and "engrossing". News.com.au called it "a considered, high-end drama with great performances", while Yahoo UK and Ireland described it as "powerful viewing" and The Conversation's critic described it as "one of the best Australian dramas I've seen in a long time".
All episodes of First Day and Stateless are now available for streaming on ABC iview.
First Day is an Epic Films production in association with KOJO Entertainment, produced by Kirsty Stark, co-produced by Kate Butler. Stateless is a Matchbox Pictures and Dirty Films production, produced by Paul Ranford, co-produced by Kirsty Stark.
Image: First Day. Photo courtesy ABC.
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Applause: accolades, awards & appointments
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◼️ A Beginner's Guide to Grief by South Australian screen creative Anna Lindner is one of three projects to share in $65,000 development funding from Screen Australia and SBS Australia as part of the Digital Originals Initiative. Read more
◼️ SAFC supported feature film Top End Wedding netted three awards for funding partner Tourism NT at the recent 2020 Mumbrella Travel Marketing Awards in Sydney. The hit film starring Miranda Tapsell helped increase the number of visits to the Top End to increase by 14 per cent last year. Read more
Image: Anna Lindner. Photo courtesy of the MRC and Screen Makers Conference.
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