Presentation for the Brussels Independent Film Festival

1. AUSTRALIAN CINEMA
Un petite apprêt
Craig Kirkwood
Chief Executive,
Fearless Media
Craig Kirkwood | Fearless Media | www.fearless.net.au | Tel 0411 135 256 | craig@fearless.net.au

2. About Me
Founded Flickerfest in Sydney in 1991.
Set up Fearless Promotions in 1992.
Ran festivals in Australia, Europe through 1990s.
‐ BeatPix in Amsterdam. Short Poppies. Anzacs.
Operated the Australian Film, Television and
Radio School state office for 6 years (1998‐2004)
Established Fearless Media in 2000 – media
training, production and web development.
Craig Kirkwood | Fearless Media | www.fearless.net.au | Tel 0411 135 256 | craig@fearless.net.au 2

3. AUSTRALIAN CINEMA
First boom: 1910 saw 4 narrative films.
‐ 51 films in 1911, 30 in 1912, and 17 in 1913.
1970s Govt. funding + tax break = New Boom:
‐ 1975: Australian Film Commission established.
‐ Picnic at Hanging Rock (75), Mad Max (79).
1980s Govt. funding + investment = better place
‐ Crocodile Dundee (1986).
‐ 1988: Film Finance Corporation established.
2008 Screen Australia established.
Craig Kirkwood | Fearless Media | www.fearless.net.au | Tel 0411 135 256 | craig@fearless.net.au 3

4. The australian Context
No real studio system.
No large production companies.
Small domestic market – little chance of return.
Government subsidised production.
Threat of international content.
Opportunity of international markets.
The new level playing field...
Craig Kirkwood | Fearless Media | www.fearless.net.au | Tel 0411 135 256 | craig@fearless.net.au 4

5. cinema nouveau
Television C'est N'est Pas Television!
‐ Is television the new cinema?
• Television is changing
• No longer “pushed” to the user
• On demand
• On the web
• On the mobile phone
Craig Kirkwood | Fearless Media | www.fearless.net.au | Tel 0411 135 256 | craig@fearless.net.au 5

6. Australian Television
Secret Life of Us
‐ Twenty‐something
Love My Way
‐ Thirty‐something
Comedy
‐ Very Small Business
‐ Chandon Pictures
Craig Kirkwood | Fearless Media | www.fearless.net.au | Tel 0411 135 256 | craig@fearless.net.au 6

7. Opportunities
Lower budgets mean democracy!
‐ Australia (and Brussels) have equal
opportunity with France and USA
Web Television has a greater audience
‐ Flash Forward
‐ Mafia Wars
Craig Kirkwood | Fearless Media | www.fearless.net.au | Tel 0411 135 256 | craig@fearless.net.au 7

8. Merci Beucoup
craig@fearless.net.au
Twitter: fearless_ck
Facebook: Craig Kirkwood, Canberra
Blog: moonlet.posterous.com
Craig Kirkwood | Fearless Media | www.fearless.net.au | Tel 0411 135 256 | craig@fearless.net.au 8