Lyla Lindsey
The Australian film industry has gone through several changes since its inception in 1893. Melbourne hosted one of the world's first film studios, the Limelight Department, which operated from 1897 to 1910 and produced about 300 films, making it the largest film producer at the time. The early 1900s saw a boom in Australian cinema, with the country producing almost 90 narrative feature films between 1910 and 1912. However, the industry faced setbacks during World War I, and in the 1920s, American distributors signed exclusive deals with Australian cinemas, favouring their own films over local productions. Despite these challenges, the industry has produced successful actors, actresses, writers, directors, and filmmakers, and attracted overseas production work with its talented cast and crews and world-class infrastructure. Today, the Australian film industry faces calls for greater diversity and equity, with concerns that it is failing the country due to a lack of support for emerging filmmakers and diverse stories.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of films produced | A reasonable number of films are produced each year |
| Difficulty in competing with American films | The American film industry has a larger home market and its films are more popular in Australia |
| Luring of Australian talent to Hollywood | Successful Australian actors and filmmakers are often lured by Hollywood |
| Indigenous talent development | Sally Riley, inaugural head of the Indigenous department at ABC Television, has contributed to the development of Indigenous talent |
| Notable Indigenous filmmakers | Warwick Thornton, Wayne Blair, Trisha Morton-Thomas, and Rachel Perkins |
| Film studios | Marvel Studios and other companies have set up studios in Australia |
| Cinema attendance | The average number of visits peaked in 2017 at 8.6 visits over three months |
| Gender equality | An increase in female producers and writers from 2014-2018 |
| Diversity | A lack of diversity in camera departments and filmmakers |
| Government funding | Strong government funding in the 1970s supported the film industry |
| Streaming services | Lobbying for regulated streaming services with a higher percentage of Australian content |
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What You'll Learn
The rise of 'Aussiewood'
The Australian film industry has undergone significant changes since its inception in 1893. While the industry initially flourished, with Melbourne hosting one of the world's first film studios, the Limelight Department, it faced challenges in the early 20th century due to competition from American distributors and the impact of World War I. However, the Australian film industry has since experienced several periods of growth and success, earning recognition both domestically and internationally.
In recent years, the rise of "Aussiewood" has propelled the industry to new heights. This term refers to the increasing number of international productions choosing to film in Australia and the booming local industry. The Australian screen industry has attracted major studios and productions, including Marvel and Disney, with more than 80% of current productions being Australian-owned. This growth has led to the development of new film studios and the creation of thousands of jobs, with government incentives further fuelling the industry's expansion.
While "Aussiewood" has brought significant investment and attention to the Australian film industry, there are concerns about the potential impact on local productions. Arts policy expert Jo Caust cautions that the government's production incentives primarily benefit foreign filmmakers, with only "scraps" left for Australian films. Additionally, the focus on big-budget productions with substantial special effects and large crews has raised questions about the ability of Australian filmmakers to sustain this level of production and compete in larger international markets.
Despite these concerns, the Australian film industry continues to produce a reasonable number of films each year, and there has been a notable increase in gender equality within the field. Between 2014 and 2018, 47% of feature films had female producers, and 31% involved female writers. Indigenous talent is also being fostered, with filmmakers like Warwick Thornton, Wayne Blair, Trisha Morton-Thomas, and Rachel Perkins making their mark.
The Australian film industry has a rich history and has produced internationally renowned actors, actresses, writers, directors, and filmmakers. With the ongoing development of new studios and the success of local productions, the industry is poised for further growth and recognition on the global stage.
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The impact of American films
The American film industry has had a significant impact on the Australian film industry, often making it difficult for Australian films to compete in the domestic market. Several factors have contributed to this:
Market Dominance and Competition: American films have long dominated the Australian market. In 1952, it was estimated that nearly 75% of screened films in Australia were American. By 1923, American films accounted for 94% of all exhibited films in the country. This dominance continued, and in the 1960s and 1970s, Australian films struggled to compete with the influx of Hollywood-produced films.
Economic Factors: American films were often cheaper to import than locally produced Australian films, as the production expenses had already been covered in the large American home market. This pricing advantage made it challenging for Australian films to gain traction.
Attracting Talent: The allure of Hollywood and the American film industry has drawn many successful Australian actors and filmmakers away from the domestic industry. The higher budgets, superior technology, and wider resources of American productions attract talented professionals, creating a brain drain of sorts in the Australian film industry.
Government Funding: The Australian film industry has historically received less government funding compared to the television industry. While government funding for film eventually came in the 1970s, it played a crucial role in the television industry's growth during the 1960s. The shift in funding dynamics may have impacted the competitiveness of the Australian film industry relative to American films.
Despite these challenges, the Australian film industry has had notable successes and continues to produce a reasonable number of films annually. However, the ongoing presence of popular American films in the Australian market underscores the impact and competition posed by Hollywood.
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Diversity and inclusion
The Everyone Project, led by the Screen Diversity and Inclusion Network (SDIN), is another initiative that measures and reports on the diversity of the Australian film and television industry. Productions register and upload cast and crew information, who are then invited to complete a comprehensive demographic survey. The platform then generates de-identified reports for subscribers.
Despite these efforts, there is still work to be done to improve diversity and inclusion in the Australian screen industry. Research commissioned by AFTRS has identified barriers that prevent underrepresented groups from entering the industry and highlighted the need for a cohesive and comprehensive industry approach to develop careers from school onwards.
The Australian film industry has also made strides in gender equality, with an increase in the involvement of women in film production. Between 2014 and 2018, 47% of feature films had female producers, and 31% had female writers, indicating a more balanced gender representation in these roles compared to previous years.
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Indigenous talent
The development and emergence of Indigenous talent in the Australian film industry can be attributed to the work of Indigenous trailblazers who advocated for more training and education opportunities in the field. The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody in 1991 also played a pivotal role in this transformation. The commission's recommendations encouraged media organisations to establish policies and training initiatives that promoted culturally sensitive representation and increased employment opportunities for Indigenous individuals.
The Australian Film Commission (later known as Screen Australia) also played a crucial role in guiding the industry towards culturally appropriate practices and fostering the growth of Indigenous filmmakers. The release of Terri Janke's "Pathways and Protocols: A Filmmaker's Guide to Working with Indigenous People, Culture and Concepts" in 2009 further contributed to this shift.
Indigenous filmmakers have since risen to prominence, with names like Rachel Perkins, Warwick Thornton, Wayne Blair, Trisha Morton-Thomas, and the late Michael Riley making waves in the industry. Their work has repositioned the on-screen presence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander characters, casting them in lead roles and centring their stories within Indigenous communities and cultural contexts.
The establishment of National Indigenous Television (NITV) in 2007 marked a significant milestone in self-representation for Indigenous Australians, creating substantial work opportunities for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous industry professionals.
As a result of these collective efforts, the Australian film industry has evolved from perpetuating racist clichés to embracing First Nations creatives who utilise film and television to document their cultures, promote social change, and entertain audiences.
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The future of the industry
The Australian film industry has a rich history, but it has often struggled to keep up with its American counterpart and compete with Hollywood. The future of the industry depends on several factors and initiatives that can help it thrive and gain international recognition.
Firstly, there is a need to encourage more Australians to watch Australian films in cinemas and support local productions. This can be achieved by promoting local talent and diverse filmmakers, whose stories and perspectives reflect the country's culture and identity. The success of Australian films like "Ride Like a Girl" and international acclaim for cinematographers like Ari Wegner and Mandy Walker demonstrate the potential for growth and the importance of diverse storytelling.
Secondly, the industry would benefit from increased investment and government funding, similar to the support received during the 1970s, which resulted in classic Australian films. This funding could help develop local talent, provide resources for independent projects, and create more opportunities for filmmakers to gain recognition.
Additionally, the Australian film industry should leverage the recent influx of film studios, such as Marvel Studios and Disney-owned visual effects companies, choosing to set up in the country. These studios bring expertise, infrastructure, and potential collaboration opportunities that can benefit local filmmakers and technicians.
Lastly, there is a growing demand for diverse and contemporary Australian stories from international audiences, as seen by the success of films like "Tinashe". To meet this demand, the industry needs to focus on improving diversity and representation both in front of and behind the camera. This includes addressing the lack of diversity in camera departments and ensuring that emerging filmmakers have access to funding and opportunities to gain recognisable credits.
The future of the Australian film industry depends on a combination of factors, including audience support, government funding, diversity and talent development, and leveraging opportunities presented by international studios establishing a presence in the country. These initiatives will help the industry thrive and gain global recognition for its unique storytelling and talent.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian film industry has struggled to keep up with the American film industry, which has a much larger home market and has released cheaper films that the local Australian industry couldn't compete with. The Australian film industry has also faced challenges in keeping up with recent trends in cinema and has been criticised for a lack of diversity and cultural representation.
Crocodile Dundee (1986) remains the highest-grossing Australian movie ever made at AUD 47 million. Cate Blanchett is the top box office performer, with her movies earning over USD 2 billion since 2000. Contemporary Indigenous filmmakers include Warwick Thornton, Wayne Blair, Trisha Morton-Thomas, and Rachel Perkins. Other notable Australian filmmakers include George Miller and Louise Lovely.
Dr Donna McRae suggests that for the Australian film industry to flourish, Australians need to watch more Australian films in cinemas and support at least 10-12 Australian films. She also recommends that streaming services like Netflix and Stan commission more Australian content.
In recent years, the Australian film industry has produced successful films such as Hotel Mumbai (2019) and Ride Like a Girl (2019). Marvel Studios also moved its headquarters to Sydney in 2021, and Furiosa, a Mad Max prequel starring Chris Hemsworth, is currently in production with a budget of $168 million.
