Territory filmmakers at MIPCOM

Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture

The NT Government is investing $9 million in the Territorys film sector over four years to grow the industry and create jobs. The latest initiative involves supporting five NT filmmakers to attend the worlds largest entertainment content market, Marche International des Programmes de Communication (MIPCOM) in Cannes, France.

The five filmmakers are Andrew Hyde (Screen Industry Advisory Council member, recipientof the Generate Enterprise Grant and NT Chapter President of the AustralianCinematographers Society); Rachel Clements (Screen Industry Advisory Councilmember) and Trisha Morton-Thomas of award-winning Brindle Films in AliceSprings; Penelope McDonald of Chili Films in Alice Springs (recipient of theGenerate Enterprise Grant); and Bridget May of Norad and R.D. Productions inAlice Springs.

EveryOctober since 1985 members of the global media andentertainment industry have converged in Cannes to transform four days ofexchange, networking, meetings, screenings and conferences into lastingbusiness. This year around 13,800 people from 110 countries will attend.Over four days from 14-17 October, the Territory delegates will pitchtheir projects to international broadcasters and OnDemand platforms, seekco-production partners, production finance and international sales agents, andpromote the Territory as a filming location to industry peers fromaround the world.

The NT Governments investment in the Territorys screensector is producing results, with Territory productions such as Top End Wedding, Sweet Country and Robbie Hoodreceiving national and international success. In My Blood It Runs was screened at the United Nations last month.

To further promote the NT, Screen Territory recently joined ReelScout, afilm-office business platform that showcases the NT as a filming destinationand is a one-stop solution for crew, facilities and location needs. Screen Territory is working with local NTbusinesses and organisations, and will be reaching out to Councils to promotetheir businesses, locations and facilities on the platform. Screen Territoryhas also joined Ausfilm, which promotes Australian screen incentives, talentand facilities to the international market.

Travel and accommodation costs: $25,000 from the Screen Territory Travel Grant Support program.

As stated by JennieHughes, Director, Screen Territory:

MIPCOM is the premier screen industry event in the worldand it is exciting we have five NT filmmakers attending. At MIPCOM they will be exposed to a huge variety ofinformation and networking opportunities they would not come across anywhereelse. This is also an opportunity for them to spread the word about theTerritory as a location for filming.

Since July last year, international screen productions haveadded around $670 million to the Australian economy. There is no reason why theTerritory cannot take a larger slice of this pie.

There is also the knock-on effect on tourism estimatessuggest around 230,000 tourists visit Australia, or extend their stay here, asa result of watching Australian content, which generates around $725 million invisitor expenditure.

The Territory has the winning combination of fantastictourism offerings and a varied range of landscapes that make incredible filminglocations.

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