ADVISORY COMMITTEE ANNOUNCED TO OVERSEE SCREEN INVESTMENT FUND

Local film producer and film distributor, Dr Andrew Pike OAM has been appointed the inaugural Chair of the new ACT Screen Investment Fund Committee. The committee will assess applications to the ACT Screen Investment Fund which will invest $1.8 million over the next three years to support the local screen industry.

Chief Minister and Minister for the Arts, John Stanhope, said Dr Pike would bring considerable experience to the role. "As a film distributor, film historian and documentary film-maker, Dr Pike has a great understanding of the local screen industry and the type of assistance and guidance needed to realise its significant potential". Mr Stanhope said. "Dr Pike, along with other committee members, will oversee investments through the Screen Investment Fund which expected to support up to six feature films and a number of smaller projects over the next three years.

"Canberra has a growing digital media, film and TV production industry, with significant potential for further development. Our creative industries already account for nine per cent of all jobs in the ACT compared to the national average of 5.3 per cent".

Dr Pike is the Managing Director of Canberra-based Ronin Films and ran the well known Canberra cultural icon, Electric Shadows from 1979 to 2006. In 2007, he was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for his services to the film industry, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Canberra.  Other members of the new committee are Mr David Noakes, Dr Julia de Roeper and Ms Susan MacKinnon.

Visit the Chief Minister's Media Room for the full media release External Link

More information about the ACT Screen Investment Fund is available at www.business.act.gov.au

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