South Australian Film Corporation

South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) is a South Australian Government statutory corporation established in 1972 to engage in film production and promote the film industry, located in Adelaide, South Australia. The Adelaide Studios are managed by the South Australian Film Corporation for the use of the South Australian film industry.

History

1972–2000

The South Australian Film Corporation was founded as a production company in 1972, established under the ''South Australian Film Corporation Act'' by the Dunstan government. It was intended “to stimulate and encourage the formation and continued development of the South Australian film and television industry”. At the time of the Corporation's establishment, the Australian film industry was stagnating, and the Corporation played a significant role in the revival of Australian film making. Premier Don Dunstan played an instrumental role in the foundation of the Corporation and its early film production activities.David Stratton, ''The Last New Wave: The Australian Film Revival'', Angus & Robertson, 1980 p17

From its genesis, the SAFC collaborated with various government departments and agencies in the production of short documentaries and educational films. These included co-productions with the South Australian Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Department of Marine & Harbors, the Education Department, the Office of Fair Trading, the Department of Housing, Urban and Regional Affairs and others.

In the 1980s, the SAFC shifted its focus to television production. It relocated to a disused Philips factory in Hendon in the north-west suburbs of Adelaide. Jock Bair was head of drama.Albert Moran, ''Moran's Guide to Australian TV Series'', AFTRS 1993 p 548-550

In 1994 its role changed, as it ceased producing films and became the government’s central agency to provide assistance to independent film makers. The television mini-series ''The Battlers'' was the last production produced by the SAFC. As the first state film corporation in Australia, the success of its business model led other state governments to establish similar bodies charged with the promotion of film production and fostering industry development.
Since then, it has focused on supporting (including providing funding) and facilitating the production of films and television in South Australia, as well as making production and post-production facilities available.

21st century

SAFC facilitated the production of the Nine Network program ''McLeod's Daughters'' (2001-2009), which was filmed on location in rural South Australia.

2008: relocation

In 2008, SA Premier and Arts Minister Mike Rann secured cabinet approval from the South Australian Government to fund the relocation of the SAFC at a cost of A$43 million. The project included new sound stages and mixing suites, as well as a major refurbishment of an historic 19th-century building as a high-tech film hub. The Corporation moved its headquarters to Glenside, an inner eastern suburb of Adelaide, sharing the historic former administration building of Glenside Hospital with film production company Closer Productions. The new Adelaide Studios were opened by Rann on 20 October 2011.

2009–2012: FilmLab

FilmLab was a low-budget feature film initiative created in 2008, with a budget of to be allocated to the production of eight low-budget feature films over four years, from initial concept through to delivery and marketing of the films. In May 2009 the four successful teams were announced, chosen from a shortlist of 14: Sophie Hyde, Bryan Mason and Matt Cormack of Closer Productions; Hugh Nguyen and Eddie White of the People's Republic of Animation; Julie Ryan of Cyan Films with Matthew Bate of Plexus Films; and Ashlee Page and Sonya Humphrey of Sacred Cow Films. The initiative ran until 2012, and was credited with launching the careers of at least 12 filmmakers, and also helped to bring to fruition critically-acclaimed films including '' Shut Up Little Man'', '' 52 Tuesdays'' and '' The Infinite Man''.

2017–present

In 2017, the Corporation announced that a new TV Series called "Soccer Swap" was a co-production with Australia's 57 Films and China’s Qingdao TV.

Also in 2017, The Heysen Hicks Set Construction Studio, so named in honour of filmmakers Scott Hicks and his wife , was opened.

James Wan's reboot of video game franchise ''Mortal Kombat'' as a feature film was the largest film production in the state's history. In May 2019, it was announced that the film had entered pre-production and would be shot in South Australia, before being released in April 2021.

In August 2019, CEO Courtney Gibson resigned, returning to Sydney 15 months after taking up the role. A few weeks later, the government confirmed the appointment of South Australian producer Kate Croser, who has had a long career in Australian film and television.

Amanda Duthie, who in late 2018 left her post at the Adelaide Film Festival and became Head of Production, Development, Attraction and Studios, also serving as acting CEO of SAFC after Gibson's departure, resigned her position to return to Sydney as of 22 November 2019.

Governance and funding

The Corporation was responsible to the state Minister for the Arts until March 2018, then reported to the Premier Steven Marshall until July that year, when it was transferred to the Department of Innovation and Skills. From 1996 it received funding via Arts SA (later Arts South Australia), until that body's disbandment by the Marshall government in late 2018.

In June 2019, the state government announced a huge boost to funding of the film industry, with a one-off awarded to the SAFC’s Screen Production Investment Fund. ''Mortal Kombat'' is a major recipient.

Current strategies and projects

First Nations Screen Strategy 2020–2025

The First Nations Screen Strategy 2020–2025 was launched in November 2020, in partnership with Channel 44. The First Nations Advisory Committee comprises Elaine Crombie, Natasha Wanganeen, Major Moogy Sumner, Dennis Stokes, and John Harvey.

Film Lab: New Voices

"Film Lab: New Voices" is an initiative launched in 2021, delivered by the SAFC and the Adelaide Film Festival (AFF), in collaboration with Mercury CX, with the delivery of the development phase of the inaugural round assisted by Screen Australia. It enables teams of emerging filmmakers to develop a low-budget feature film over a 12-month period, mentored by an experienced story developer, with one team chosen for funding to complete the making of their film ready for the next AFF. At least one member of each team must be from a group under-represented in the SA film industry, including filmmakers who are women; First Nations; Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD); Deaf and disabled; LGBTQIA+; and/or who live in regional and remote parts of the state.

In the inaugural round, 49 teams submitted 63 projects, and three teams were selected for further development of their projects over an 11-month period. Funding of () was provided by the SAFC and AFF for the winning team, comprising director Matt Vesely (director), Lucy Campbell (scriptwriter) and Bettina Hamilton (producer), to bring their film ''Monolith'' to the 2022 AFF. The other two teams continue to be developed and will seek funding to bring their projects to completion.

The second round opened in August 2021, with seven projects shortlisted in February 2022 and the three successful teams eligible for further development to be announced in March 2022. To support the SAFC First Nations Screen Strategy (2020-2025), one of the three teams selected for development will have at least two members identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. The winning film will be shown at the AFF in 2024.

Influence on Australian filmmaking

The Corporation's activities contributed to the rebuilding process undertaken by Australia's film industry, with other states set up similar bodies after SAFC's establishment. Besides its productions that had critical and commercial success in the 1970s, the Corporation's productions helped to launch the careers of many artists, including Peter Weir, Jack Thompson, Scott Hicks, Rolf de Heer, Mario Andreacchio, Bryan Brown, Geoffrey Rush and Bruce Beresford.

The Adelaide Studios have provided facilities for feature films such as ''The Babadook'', ''Hotel Mumbai'', '' Storm Boy'', ''I Am Mother'' and ''Mortal Kombat'', as well as many television series.

Major productions

Works listed below can be found via the SAFC "Made in SA Showcase" web page.

SAFC as producer

*'' Sunday Too Far Away'' (1975)
*'' Picnic at Hanging Rock'' (1975) (co-production with McElroy & McElroy)
*''Smokes and Lollies'' (1975) (short documentary)
*'' Storm Boy'' (1976)
*''The Fourth Wish'' (1976)
*''The Last Wave'' (1977) (co-production with McElroy & McElroy)
*''Blue Fin'' (1978) (co-production with McElroy & McElroy)
*''The Irishman'' (1978) (co-production with Forest Home Films)
*''Money Movers'' (1978)
*''The Sound of Love'' (1978) (TV movie)
*''Weekend of Shadows'' (1978)
*''Dawn!'' (1979)
*'' Harvest of Hate'' (1979 TV movie)
*'' The Plumber'' (1979) (TV movie)
*''Breaker Morant'' (1980)
*'' The Club'' (1980)
*''Pacific Banana

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