The Hon Rod Kemp was Minister for the Arts and Sport from Friday 23 November 2001 to Tuesday 30 January 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.

Centre for Screen Excellence Open for Business

The Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) Centre for Screen Business will be officially opened tonight by the Federal Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp.

Delivering on another of the Coalition Government’s 2004 election commitments, Senator Kemp said the centre will help to produce graduates equipped with advanced business skills to help rebuild the Australian film industry.

“The Australian Film Television and Radio School is one of Australia’s great cultural institutions and one of our premier training institutions for the screen and broadcast industries,” Senator Kemp said.

“The establishment of the Centre for Screen Business will ensure we are able to produce enterprising graduates who have the business skills to be successful in the screen industry.

“Locating the Centre for Screen Business in the Docklands media and digital precinct positions the school to provide an ideal environment to produce world-class graduates.” Senator Kemp said.

The Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) is the national centre for professional education and advanced training in film, television and radio.

The AFTRS Centre for Screen Business is based in Melbourne in the Digital Docklands precinct and focuses on the development of business planning and strategic thinking for content creators and service providers in film, television and digital media.

“This is just one of a number of measures the Australian Government is implementing to strengthen our film and television sector. The Government committed $9 million to help develop the Centre to ensure its graduates and other industry practitioners are able to operate across a number of emerging platforms and pitch to an international market,” Senator Kemp said.

“The funding is part of the Australian Government’s $88 million policy, A World Class Australian Film Industry, which recognises the local sector has faced one of its most difficult periods on record.

“The Government’s policy will provide direct support to film agencies and, together with the Film Licensed Investment Company (FLIC) and tax changes, will make the industry more attractive to private investors.” Senator Kemp said

MELBOURNE
Tuesday 27 September

Media contact: Michael Christo 0409 040276 or 03 9650 7274