Screen Producers Australia joins global push to protect local stories – Screen Producers Australia has joined 22 international screen groups calling on governments to protect domestic content rules. The groups say local production rules are vital as global streaming services reshape how audiences watch screen stories.
The joint statement was released at the Toronto International Film Festival. It also appeared as a full-page advertisement in The Hollywood Reporter. It brings together associations from Australia, Canada and Europe. Together, they represent thousands of screen businesses and hundreds of thousands of workers.
For Australia, the move keeps the focus on the new framework that requires subscription streaming services to contribute to Australian stories. The rules are designed to support local production as audiences move between broadcasters, on-demand platforms and global services.
SPA chief executive Matthew Deaner said technology and changes in viewing habits had permanently altered the sector. He said the industry needs modern rules, investment and incentives to keep Australian screen storytelling strong.
“Local screen production continues to be disrupted by changes to technology and audience delivery,” Deaner said. “The need for modern requirements, investment and incentives is paramount.”
Deaner noted that the Australian Government passed its subscription video-on-demand legislation late last year. He described it as the first framework to begin operating in a predominantly English-speaking territory.
It is too early to measure the full effect on Australian production levels. Still, he said, the rules create an important baseline for consistent contributions to local stories. The scheme will face a formal statutory review after four years. Regular reporting is also expected.
SPA says that review will show whether the framework is delivering for Australian stories, businesses and audiences. The wider coalition warns that, without domestic rules, the scale of global streamers could put local stories at risk.
Global support for domestic production
The coalition is also urging governments to back independent producers. It wants local intellectual property to remain in local hands. The signatories include the Canadian Media Producers Association, European Audiovisual Production (CEPI), European Producers Club, Screen Producers Ireland, Swedish Film & TV Producers and Animation in Europe.
Other supporters represent France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Czechia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Austria. Screen Producers Australia represents more than 800 production businesses nationwide. Its members work across genres and platforms, employ thousands of practitioners and generate billions of dollars in annual production activity.
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