Independent Cinemas Australia (ICA) has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement that Screen Australia had already allocated AUD$8.7 million under the SCREEN Fund announced on 26 March, 2021.
The aim of the SCREEN Fund is to support independent cinema operators who have experienced significant declines in revenue due to COVID-19. The ICA estimates that, due to COVID-19, Australia’s independent cinemas are currently trading around 50% to 70% less than 2019 box office revenue.
ICA President, Scott Seddon said: “The SCREEN Fund has been a crucial lifeline for many of our members and we would like to extend our thanks to Screen Australia for working with us so effectively to get this money out the door.
“We look forward to working with Screen Australia on future funding rounds for the scheme which is open until 24 December 2021.”
ICA CEO, Adrianne Pecotic added, “As the current challenges of the Delta Variant demonstrates, we are not out of the woods yet. We eagerly await details of the Commonwealth Government’s support for regions affected by these outbreaks and hope that independent cinemas will be included. Going to the movies is an important and COVID-safe part of Australian life and we thank the Government for its ongoing support.”