What's at Risk: Justice Leauge or the Australian Film Industry?

Justice League Mortal is the film everyone is talking about and its not even in cinemas, yet-

Background:
A new tax incentive for Australian producers has been introduced, its called the Tax Offset (formally the Tax Rebate) and it provides up to a 40% Offset of budget of the film, which goes to the Producer. Like all incentives this one comes with its Red Tape. On this occasion a film must qualify under QAPE (Qualifying Australian Production Expenditure) to be able to access the Offset. This means that when a film is submitted, to the powers that be, a panel of assessors decide if the film is Australian 'enough' and if it is, then it gets the tick of approval. If not? Then find another country to film in with better tax breaks or change the script.

The Situation:
Justice League Mortal now sits in production limbo as, rumour has it, the Film Finance Corporation (FFC) rejected the producers preliminary request for the 40% Offset. So the question remains, are an Australian director, some key cast and crew enough to be an Australian Film? Or does the story have to be about a man cooking 'shrimp' on a Barbie in the outback? In today’s times, when filmmaking is becoming an increasingly global phenomenon the question is asked, what is an Australian film? And does an industry, that seems to be all but fading away, have the capacity to let such an investment go?

Well, on Wednesday, Dr. George Miller (director of Justice League) gave an impassioned response when interviewed by Fran Kelly on ABC Radio National about why he feels Justice League Mortal should receive the Offset.

There is an audio file of the interview and an interesting write up in The Sydney Morning Herald.

What do you think?

Want to know more about Justice League the comic? Find out here.

-Andrew.

Foundation Approved

All our time filling in forms and writing up applications has not been an entire waste!

Into the Shadows has been approved by the Documentary Australia Foundation to be a documentary deemed worthy of philanthropic support. Phil and I have issued the Foundation with a production still and synopsis, which will be added to their website shortly. In time Into the Shadows will appear on the Foundation's website 'Approved List' for all to view.

So, if you or someone you know, would like to donate to the production or post production costs of Into the Shadows you can, knowing that you are supporting an offical, charitable production. This also means you can now recieve tax breaks from your donation to the making of the film.

Support the making of Into the Shadows and share in the creation of the film that will raise the awareness, of the need for a fresh, dynamic, vibrant Australian cinema culture.

-Andrew.

Face Space

We have finally done it. Into the Shadows is now not only on Myspace but Facebook too!

We have started the page off very simply, with a Teaser and a forum to discuss the points raised in the teaser. All are welcome to add comments.

So head to Myspace and become a friend or you can head to Facebook and become a FAN! Then again why not just head to both?

New Channel

Hey everyone, we have updated our INTERVIEWEE page. Check it out and add some comments below.

We have also created our own YOUTUBE channel. Keep an eye on this for clips and coming trailers.

Friday is always too far away

Early this afternoon I posted our application to the AFC for production funding.

Phil has been hanging with his girlfriend all week, as she leaves for England tomorrow, so it was almost a one-man show. Has anyone else tried to fill in an AFC application? It’s a lot of work, making sure every box is ticked.

But the paper work is finally signed, sealed and delivered - Fingers crossed!

I have just come back from a night out on the town with my mate Dax; it was a good way to end the week. Hopefully next week will bring some exciting news as we wait to hear from ScreenACT.

Can't wait til next Friday afternoon.