Australian and US Film Industries Collaborating Through Ausfilm Week 2011

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ausfilm and representatives of the Australian film industry come together in Los Angeles this week (24-28 October) for Ausfilm Week 2011. Ausfilm Week aims to build and maintain relationships between the Australian and US film industries to encourage co-production of international film and television with Australia.

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Ausfilm Week features a series of events covering all aspects of production including film screenings, breakfast seminars, development lunches, a gala dinner and cocktail events where Australian filmmakers and industry professionals discuss filmmaking in Australia with their US colleagues and encourage them to access Australia's Screen Production Incentives which includes the Producer Offset – a 40% incentive for films with significant Australian content.

Ausfilm Week provides the platform to present Australia as a world-class film destination with its diverse locations near sound stages, Oscar-winning talent & crew and attractive tax incentives available to American producers in partnership with the Australian film industry.

The incentives available include the 40% Producer Offset, 30% Post, Digital and Visual Effects incentive and 16.5% Locations incentive.

Targeted one-on-one meetings between leading Australian filmmakers, US studios, development executives, production companies and packaging agents will take place during Ausfilm Week 2011 to discuss collaboration for the development of Producer Offset projects.

Australian director Shane Abbess (Gabriel) commented, "As an Australian filmmaker living in Los Angeles, I've found Ausfilm to be that often crucial link between our industry at home and here. Their events are a must for anyone looking to bridge the gap between two of the strongest film communities on the planet."

Australian projects currently include Baz Luhrmann's version of The Great Gatsby which is filming at Fox Studios, Director Alex Proyas is prepping his motion capture for the film Paradise Lost and Happy Feet 2 is close to wrapping, ready for its November launch.

Australian Post, Digital and Visual Effects houses have proven their capabilities and secured significant work for blockbuster international features including Captain America, Thor, Don't be Afraid of the Dark and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1 & 2.

The third annual Ausfilm Week programme will open tonight with a preview screening of the upcoming Australian feature A Few Best Men, with cast including Olivia Newton-John walking the red carpet at the Linwood Dunn Theatre.

About Ausfilm:

Ausfilm is a partnership organisation between private sector and government film industry representatives. It comprises Australia's Federal, State and Territory Governments and 25 private-sector companies. Ausfilm's objective is to connect international filmmakers worldwide with Australia. For more information on Ausfilm Week and filming in Australia visit www.ausfilm.com.

SOURCE Ausfilm