Enterprise companies prove very enterprising

Screen Australia today released the results of a survey examining the success of its Enterprise Program, revealing that Enterprise funding has enabled screen production businesses to become more sustainable.

The survey revealed that 94 per cent of companies that received Enterprise funding were consistently active in production over the last three years, compared to 40 per cent for the wider production industry surveyed in 2010. Of the companies that received Enterprise funding, 88 per cent reported a profit in at least one of the last two years, compared to 56 per cent of businesses in the 2010 survey. Significantly, the aggregate level of profit for these production companies has more than doubled compared with the year prior to receiving Enterprise funding.

The Enterprise Program has allocated $19.5 million over five years to 29 production companies. The survey analysed the business sustainability measures of 16 companies funded in the first two rounds of the Enterprise program, in 2009 and 2010.

Speaking at the Screen Forever Conference in Melbourne, Screen Australia's Chief Operating Officer Fiona Cameron said, the early success of the Enterprise Program is very encouraging and the program, while only representing a small part of our overall funding, is an important plank in supporting a commercially sustainable screen production sector, a requirement under the Screen Australia legislation.

Businesses have increased and diversified their income, with 75 per cent reporting five or more revenue sources last year, compared to 38 per cent in the year prior to receiving Enterprise funding.

"Collaboration levels have increased and broader industry benefits have included the delivery of mentorships, traineeships and internships. Many companies have also enhanced their development capacity through new script initiatives and the appointment of development executives.

It is always best to review programs when they are succeeding, so now is a great time to contemplate how the Enterprise Program may evolve to continue to serve the industry," Ms Cameron said.

In December 2013, Screen Australia's Chief Executive Officer Graeme Mason will lead public forums around the country to consult with key industry stakeholders on the future shape of the Enterprise Program. For those unable to join a physical forum, Screen Australia will also host a webinar on Wednesday 18 December. For more details and to RSVP to the webinar or an event in your city, visit http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/enterpriseconsult

An Enterprise Program options paper will be available from Screen Australia's website on Friday 6 December.

Media enquiries

Teri Calder T: 02 8113 5833; M: 0408 440 995

teri.calder@screenaustralia.gov.au

LINK:	http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/news_and_events/2013/mr_131120_enter...
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