Renaming and streamlining of WA Film Council

10/11/93

The Western Australian Film Council will be renamed 'Screen West', and its board reconstituted, in line with recommendations from a recent review of the State's film industry.

In addition, a ministerial taskforce will be established to investigate the possibility of documentary films produced for Government departments being co-ordinated through the new authority.

Arts Minister Peter Foss announced the makeup of the new Screen West board today:

·       Murray Oliver (Chair) - scriptwriter and acting chair of the WA Film Council;

·       Kevin Campbell - chief executive officer of TVW Enterprises Ltd, with extensive experience in the Australian television industry;

·       Tania Chambers - lawyer with Barron Films and chair of the WA branch of the Screen Production Association of Australia and State branch of the Australian Film Institute;

·       Alan Carter - executive manager of the Film and Television Institute;

·       Ron Elliott - director, writer and part-time lecturer at the Academy of Performing Arts;

·       Joan Ambrose - screenwriter and story editor, chair of the WA branch of the Australian Writers' Guild and WAFC councillor;

·       Sue Taylor - writer/producer with more than ten years' experience and currently director of CVA Film and Television;

·       Ian Pugsley - cinematographer, with more than 20 years' experience in the film and television industry.

Screen West will have overall responsibility for film funding in Western Australia.

It will inherit the Film Council's $800,000 budget, as well as responsibility for funds currently allocated to the industry through the Department for the Arts and the administration of an estimated $2 million from the Lotteries Commission's Film Incentive Scheme.

"I have accepted in principle the recommendations from the WA Film Review," Mr Foss said.

"As such, Screen West has been authorised to investigate and implement the review's recommendations, including the formation of an appropriate legal structure, constitution and staffing requirements.

"The creation of Screen West heralds a new start for the film industry in Western Australia.

"The industry made it quite clear that it wanted a new funding body, with a board that reflected the experience and concerns of the wider community, particularly if those members could contribute expertise from related fields such as commerce, law or the arts.

"It was also important that the majority of the board have WA film industry experience.

"I believe the new board members satisfy these requirements and they will use the report from the film review as their blueprint for change.

"There is much to be pleased about in the recommendations, and I am confident that this is the start of a bright future for the State's film industry."

The WA Film Council will close its doors on December 14 and open as Screen West at new and larger premises in Hay street, Subiaco on January 14, 1994.

Media contact:  Jeanne Klener (09) 222 9595 / (09) 325 8655