INDEPENDENT CINEMAS AUSTRALIA WELCOMES ANNOUNCEMENT OF SECOND ROUND OF FUNDING
Independent Cinemas Australia has welcomed the announcement by Minister for the Arts the Hon Paul Fletcher of a second round of funding under the S.C.R.E.E.N. Fund.
On 26 March 2021 the Morrison Government announced it was “committing $20 million to assist independent cinema operators. The Supporting Cinemas’ Retention Endurance and Enhancement of Neighbourhoods (SCREEN) Fund, administered by Screen Australia, will assist independent cinema operators who have experienced significant declines in revenue due to the pandemic.”
As JobKeeper came to a close, around $10.2 million from the fund was gratefully received by independent cinema operators. Even though the effects of the pandemic in Australia were less severe than in other countries, the halting of most movie production and extensive cinema closures in North America meant that many anticipated major cinema releases were either postponed or cancelled.
The second blow occurred from July onward when the Delta variant came to Australia. As Hollywood opened and movie titles began to flow in other countries, 60% of Australians entered lockdowns causing further extensive financial pain for independent cinemas.
Round One of the S.C.R.E.E.N. fund will end today. Over recent weeks the Minister and those around him have engaged in extensive consultation with Independent Cinemas Australia and key cinema exhibitors, culminating in the announcement on Thursday 23rd December by Mr Fletcher of a second round of funding totalling $9 million, for cinemas who experienced a downturn of 30% or more during the September quarter of this year, compared to the same period of 2019.
“This is a great outcome for independent cinemas and for Australians, especially those in regional areas, as well as our cities and towns, for whom the local Independent Cinema is an important meeting place, opportunity to engage in movie-going as a cultural activity, and to spend a couple of hours in another place to escape the many stresses of life in the 2020’s,” said Scott Seddon, President of Independent Cinemas Australia.
“‘While governments have traditionally given support to those who produce movies, exhibition, the cinemas where movies are screened, have almost exclusively been self-supporting since the 1890’s. I am confident that once we get through these couple of years, cinemas will continue to evolve as significant centres of Australian culture,” Mr Seddon continued. “This decision will offer continued support for everyone employed in the cinema industry, from the script writer through to the person who makes the popcorn.”
ABOUT INDEPENDENT CINEMAS
ICA cinemas host more than 27 million visitors a year.
They inject some $250 million into our economy every year.
More than $110 million a year goes straight into regional Australia where our cinemas are the heart of the community contributing social engagement, keeping small towns vibrant and sustaining surrounding restaurants, shops, and businesses.
Independent cinemas are critical infrastructure for Australia’s cultural landscape and our local film industry. Despite the dominance of Hollywood movies, more Australian’s see Australian stories at independent cinemas than any other cinema location.
Independent cinemas contribute up to 90% or more of the box office for Australian feature films.
Media Enquiries: Lucy Robson 0419 290 666
ABOUT INDEPENDENT CINEMAS AUSTRALIA
ICA is a not-for-profit industry association that develops, supports, and represents the interests of independent cinemas and their affiliates across Australia and New Zealand. We represent 181 independent cinemas across 689 screens in Australia.
Independent cinemas are mostly small and family businesses, often multigenerational, located in every state and territory in Australia from single screens in rural areas through to metropolitan multiplex circuits and iconic arthouse cinemas including Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace, Cinema Nova, Randwick Ritz, Palace Cinemas, Dendy Cinemas, Grand Cinemas, Ace Cinemas, Luna Cinemas, Cineplex Cinemas, Wallis Cinemas, and Majestic Cinemas.
Over 75% of ICA’s independent cinemas are in regional Australia providing vital social and cultural infrastructure to their local communities.
Many independent cinemas are also in key metro locations. They are among Australia’s most iconic art-house cinemas ensuring high-quality cinema and diversity of choice for film lovers in every major city.
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