Filmnews
Filmnewswas a monthly newspaper that covered independent film production, distribution and exhibition in Australia and the federal and state government policies and practices that supported them. Produced in Sydney, it was distributed around Australia, containing news, reviews, interviews, articles and some gossip on the local film community. It ran from February 1975, from government startup grants over 1973–74,[1]to 1995.
History
[edit]Filmnews'first issue appeared in February 1975.[1]Published in St Peters' Lane,Darlinghurst,Filmnews began as a newsletter with screening and meeting information and catalogue of theSydney Filmmakers Co-op.[2]In August 1975 filmmaker Aggy Read complained that it was "flabby and indulgent with very little meaningful news/info/dialogue", which galvanised the newspaper into transforming into a legitimate newspaper for the filmmaker/worker community.[1]
In 1981 the Co-op’s cinema closed as its funding from the AFC ceased. The AFC, however, supported the Co-op’s move to new premises in Pyrmont, and pushed for more aggressive marketing and distribution policies. This put the Co-op’s under pressure, and the AFC then determined to fund only one body, the AFI leading the Co-op had to fold.
A short and poorly planned relationship with a commercial proprietor (Encore)—selected by the AFC—followed before FilmNews was allowed to become its own entity. Filmnews moved to Metro TV (now Metro Screen) in thePaddington Town Hallcomplex several years.
Content
[edit]Filmnewsadvocated strongly for women's films and women filmmakers, questioning existing training practices and criticising Short-term programs in sydney and Melbourne.[3]
References
[edit]- ^abcKatrfman, Tina (1 September 1986)."Big Changes at Little Filmnews".Filmnews:2. Archived fromthe originalon July 2, 2016.
- ^Blonski, Annette; Creed, Barbara; Freiberg, Freda (1987).Don't Shoot Darling!: Women's Independent Filmmaking in Australia.Spinifex Press. p. 118.ISBN9780864360588.
- ^Kuhn, Annette (1990).The Women's Companion to International Film.University of California Press. p. 393.ISBN9780520088795.