34-662: Iranian Film Festival Australia ( IFFA ) is a film festival held in Australia with a focus on Iranian films. IFFA was founded in 2011, and is the only nationwide festival in Australia dedicated to Iranian films. The 9th festival was also hosted by Mercury CX in Adelaide in 2019. In IFFA 2016, the film Life and a Day by Saeed Roostaee won the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema Award . This article about
68-590: A community media organisation, at the same time. The Mercury and Iris cinemas were created next door and opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1992. In 2019 the MRC director was Gail Kovatseff. During the COVID-19 pandemic in South Australia , the cinema was forced to close for a while from March 2020. During this time, renovations were undertaken, with the foyer transformed into a lounge bar. The organisation
102-616: A film festival is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article about Australian culture is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Mercury CX Mercury CX , formerly Media Resource Centre ( MRC ), is a not-for-profit film and television training organisation based in the Lion Arts Centre on the corner of Morphett Street and North Terrace, Adelaide , South Australia, which aims to give screening opportunities to emerging South Australian film, video and digital media artists. It also manages
136-628: A larger location in Pirie Street in the 1980s, where it provided a venue to screen local filmmakers' works as well as other independent, community or hard-to-find international films; it also provided equipment space for filmmakers to work on their projects and network with others. In 1992 the MRC moved to the purpose-built Lion Arts Centre , located in a refurbished factory in the West End of Adelaide and housing numerous arts organisations, including galleries and theatres. It merged with Commedia,
170-874: A low-budget feature film which is premiered at the next AFF. Screen Australia Screen Australia is the Australian Federal Government's key funding body for the Australian screen production industry, created under the Screen Australia Act 2008 . From 1 July 2008 Screen Australia took over the functions of its predecessor agencies the Australian Film Commission (AFC), the Film Finance Corporation Australia and Film Australia Limited. Screen Australia supports
204-498: A project in which an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australian has a key creative role, such as a writer or director. As of 2020 (having introduced a new system in 2018 ), Screen Australia runs several funding programs for Australian filmmakers: There are also separate programs for funding feature films relating to Indigenous Australians , documentary films , and for pitching films to international markets. The application process to receive funding from Screen Australia
238-763: A school holiday programme. The Cinema also hosts film festivals, some one-off and some annual occurrences. In the latter group are a programme of the best films from the Flickerfest (a Sydney festival for short films), films from the Adelaide Festival Centre 's OzAsia Festival , selected films for the Adelaide Film Festival , and the Iranian Film Festival Australia (which occurs in most of Australia's capital cities). The Screen Makers Conference
272-596: Is a membership-based association , which holds charitable status . It has a constitution and a board of directors to oversee its management. Since December 2022 and as of August 2024 the board is chaired by , while the CEO is Karena Slaninka. The organisation was in the past funded by Screen Australia . As of May 2022 it receives A$ 250,000 annually from the South Australian Film Corporation specifically to support talent development in
306-517: Is an annual national conference hosted by the MRC since 2014, and aims to "[bring] together Australia’s writers, directors, producers and other screen creatives to share knowledge, connect with the industry, and pitch projects to the national marketplace". It is regarded as one of two major annual conferences for filmmakers, the other being the Australian International Documentary Conference . In 2018
340-587: The Australian film industry . The Marshall government gave emergency funding of A$ 300,000 in September 2021 to support ongoing operations. In 2022 Mercury CX submitted a funding request for an ongoing operating budget of A$ 700,000 to A$ 1.2 million , but it was refused by the newly-elected South Australian government under Peter Malinauskas , based on a report prepared by the Marshall government. At
374-580: The CEO is Graeme Mason, while Grainne Brunsdon is Head of Content. The chairman of the Screen Australia Board is Nicholas Moore, while board members include Claudia Karvan and Deborah Mailman . The agency not only provides funding to individuals and companies within the industry, but also administers the tax rebate for the production of Australian screen content, known as the Producer Offset. (The other rebates which complete
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#1732798420804408-668: The "Australian Screen Production Incentive" suite are maintained by the Department of Communications and the Arts . ) In 1993, the Australian Film Commission established the Indigenous Branch, whose work was continued through Screen Australia's Indigenous Department. This branch was creating following the recommendations of Shirley McPherson and Michael Pope's report, Promoting Indigenous Involvement in
442-614: The ABC and SBS . In 2019 it expanded to three days, partnered with television production company Screentime and also included video games in its remit. The Media Resource Centre has run the South Australian Screen Awards (SASAs) since establishing them in 1999, to "exhibit, celebrate and promote the best screen works of the South Australian film industry". These are awarded in conjunction with
476-519: The AGM on 31 May 2022, members voted unanimously to oppose closing down the organisation. CEO Slaninka said that extra funding was need to help the cinema recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Australia , and that a "Save the Mercury" campaign to raise funds would be launched. Mercury CX is a not-for-profit incorporated association which provides facilities for career development in
510-599: The Conference attracted over 200 delegates, including Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason and Kingston Anderson from the Australian Directors' Guild , independent filmmaker and educator Cathy Henkel , Rowan Woods , currently head of directing at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School , senior managers from several major national TV companies as well as the government-owned broadcasters,
544-613: The Film and Television Industry , with the primary objective of increasing the rate of engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the screen industry. After the establishment of Screen Australia in 2008, it took over the department. From 2004 the AFC and from 2008 Screen Australia's Indigenous units helped to fund the Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival . In her role as head of
578-479: The Indigenous Department (continuing from head of the AFC's Indigenous Branch), Sally Riley was responsible for the production of the award-winning feature film Samson and Delilah in 2009, directed by Warwick Thornton . She also helped to launch the career of other Indigenous film professionals, such as Wayne Blair , Beck Cole and Darlene Johnson, and under her leadership, development support
612-502: The Lion Arts Centre, facing Morphett Street. As a not-for-profit organisation, there is a film society, Adelaide Cinémathèque, members of which can attend regularly scheduled films. The Iris is available for hire as a venue, and is used for Adelaide Fringe performances as well as for many other uses. The Cinema also runs a series of programmes on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, such as Sunday Sessions and Seniors on Screen, and
646-553: The Mercury CX's career development program, Springboard+ (formerly Springboard). Since 2021, Mercury CX has participated in the Film Lab: New Voices initiative launched by the South Australian Film Corporation and Adelaide Film Festival (AFF). This program supports emerging filmmakers, with three teams selected for mentoring over an 11-month development period and one team then selected for funding to complete
680-475: The Screenmakers' Conference, and in 2019 awarded A$ 40,000 of prizes, including two new awards: best costume, and best hair & makeup. The Mercury CX supports developing South Australian filmmakers via its own programs and in collaboration with other organisations. Its Production Initiative Program (PIP) which funded five shorts and web series in 2020. Selected projects are often then developed in
714-535: The department celebrated 25 years of its existence, which filmmakers, actors and others associated with the industry, including Rachel Perkins , Ivan Sen , Leah Purcell , and Warwick Thornton , celebrated at the Carriageworks in Redfern . To be eligible for assistance from Screen Australia's Indigenous Department, the applicant must be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australian and must develop
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#1732798420804748-491: The development of a diverse range of Australian programs, with an emphasis on documentaries, children's programs and cultural programs. It also promotes programs that incorporate matters of national interest or importance to Australians, or programs with relevance to Australian people and their lives. Across its various departments, Screen Australia supports the development, production, promotion and distribution of Australian narrative and documentary screen content. As of 2023 ,
782-592: The development, production, promotion and distribution of Australian narrative and documentary screen content. The Commonwealth Screen Australia Act 2008 provides detailed information about the specific functions and powers of Screen Australia. Under this act, from 1 July 2008 the Australian Film Commission, the Film Finance Corporation Australia and Film Australia Limited were merged into one body, to be known as Screen Australia. New Zealand television and film executive Ruth Harley
816-505: The existence of the Indigenous Department. A 2002 study found that no Indigenous actors had a notable role on Australian television in 1992, and this number had only risen to two by 1999. However, a Screen Australia study in 2016 found that 5 percent of main characters on Australian television between 2011 and 2015 were Indigenous. As of June 2018 the Indigenous Department had provided A$ 35 million in funding to over 160 projects, with its annual budget then A$ 3.3 million . In August 2018,
850-444: The film industry, from entry-level to early career, providing access to equipment, advice and a subsidy programme. It offers production support, professional development and industry and community partnerships. The offices are located in the Lion Arts Centre on the corner of Morphett Street and North Terrace, Adelaide. The Mercury Cinema building includes its main 186-seat cinema as well as the 36-seat Iris Cinema, situated adjacent to
884-606: The government on 25 June 2020. In August 2020, A$ 2.7 million in funding was announced, allocated to nine projects which include two feature films, two television series (one for children) and several online projects. In October 2020, further funding was announced the first round of funding for the 2020/21 financial year from the Premium and Generate funding schemes, which includes funding for 7 feature films, 16 TV drama series and 5 online projects. Currently there are significant legislative changes under review which will affect how
918-800: The not-for-profit Mercury Cinema , which shows films by subscription to the Adelaide Cinémathèque film society, screening classic or notable films and hosts film festivals and other events. Mercury CX hosts the Screenmakers Conference and the South Australian Screen Awards . The Media Resource Centre was established in 1974 and is one of the earliest members of the Screen Development Australia ( SDA ) national network. It moved from its first location at 1 Union Street to
952-417: The story, intended audience and how the film will reach them. Screen Australia's annual drama expenditure for 2021/22 was $ 2.29B, made up of a record spend on Australian titles of $ 1.51 billion, plus $ 777 million spent on foreign productions. Screen Australia supplied nearly A$ 76 million in direct funding to the screen sector in the 2018/19 financial year. In the 2019/20 financial year, A$ 41 million
986-682: Was appointed the inaugural chief executive officer, handing over to Graeme Mason at the end of her five-year term in 2013. Screen Australia functions to support and promote the development of screen culture in Australia, with a primary focus on creating innovative and commercially sustainable screen production. Screen Australia also operates to support the production, promotion and distribution of Australian screen content, as well as ensuring access to these programs. Screen Australia provides support to content creators through providing financial assistance, guarantees, services, facilities, programs and equipment, as well as sponsoring other activities, and supports
1020-517: Was approved for producing narrative films, including television drama, feature films, children's television and online productions . In 2020, the funding model and the practices of the organisation had to change significantly owing to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and worldwide on the film industry. Screen Australia first gave more than A$ 1 million in emergency funding for productions that had already had funding, but were forced to close down or pause production. Additional funding
1054-473: Was previously complicated and required creators to have previous screen credits in order to be eligible. However, the introduction of the Generate and Premium funds has allowed for virtually no eligibility barriers, encouraging new entrants to complete the application process. An application to receive funding from Screen Australia requires a one-page synopsis as well as a three-minute pitch to camera, describing
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1088-549: Was provided for projects that could work remotely, and a new Premium Plus development fund was launched. COVID-safe guidelines were developed for the industry in a joint initiative by the Australian Screen Sector Task Force; Screen Australia allocated A$ 10 million to a new COVID-19 Budget Support Fund, and were appointed to administer the A$ 50 million Temporary Interruption Fund (TIF), announced by
1122-466: Was provided for the acclaimed series First Australians (2008), by Rachel Perkins and Darren Dale . Riley left in 2010, after being appointed as the inaugural head of the Indigenous department at ABC Television , and was succeeded by Penny Smallacombe. Statistics showed a significant shift in the engagement of Indigenous and Torres Straight Islanders within the film industry over 25 years of
1156-716: Was rebranded Mercury CX and a new website launched. The organisation has struggled to remain solvent, and has relied heavily on public funding by the state government. In 2022 the South Australian Government refused a request for $ 700,000 to $ 1.2 million in annual funding, but months later offered $ 50,000 to help the organisation find a way to keep afloat. A new board started its term on 1 December, led by former South Australian Film Corporation chair Peter Hanlon and producer Kirsty Stark , and including producers Lisa Scott of Highview Productions and Rebecca Summerton of Closer Productions . Mercury CX
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