New funding opportunities offered to emerging filmmakers

27/6/03
Western Australia's screen industry has received another boost with the creation of a new grant program to fund three documentary and three drama productions over the coming 12 months.
Culture and the Arts Minister Sheila McHale said $130,000 of Lotterywest funds had been committed to the new initiative developed by ScreenWest and the Film and Television Institute called LINK.
"These grants will provide a vital stepping-stone for filmmakers to assist in developing the skills required in the professional screen industry," Ms McHale said.
"The Gallop Government recognises the arts are essential to a healthy community and that the screen industry is an important part of the arts sector."
LINK was targeted at emerging filmmakers who have had experience developing a small-scale drama or documentary through the Film and Television Institute and want to further their experience to the skill level required for a ScreenWest application.
"This is just one of many initiatives designed to benefit the screen industry," the Minister said.
"During the last three years, the State Government and Lotterywest have invested $6.8million of production finance into the screen industry.
"This $6.8million has resulted in $57.3million worth of production activity, totalling 105 hours of screen time."
For more information on the LINK initiative, contact Phil Jeng Kane at the Film and Television Institute on (08) 9431 6700.
Minister's office: 9213 6900