Media Release

Screen Producers Australia (SPA) CEO Matthew Deaner’s opening remarks at SCREEN FOREVER 40 will highlight the significance of Australia’s new streaming content regulation framework, while posing some questions around what is needed to support a sustainable and competitive Australian screen sector.

Speaking at the Official Opening Ceremony on Tuesday 28 April, Mr Deaner will reflect on the introduction of the long-awaited streaming regulations, which came into effect on 1 January, describing the framework as a landmark achievement that brings much-needed stability and certainty to the market.

“The introduction of local content obligations on streaming platforms is a significant milestone for our industry,” Mr Deaner said. 

“It reflects years of sustained advocacy and a clear message from industry and audiences alike: Australian content matters.” 

Mr Deaner will also highlight the launch of SPA’s Industry Codes initiative, describing it as a critical step forward in strengthening standards across the screen sector and supporting safer, more respectful production environments. 

“We are proud to announce the launch of our Industry Codes initiative, an important step in ensuring our workplaces reflect the professionalism, safety and respect our industry should expect as standard,” Mr Deaner said. 

While welcoming the progress, Mr Deaner will emphasise that the new framework is only one part of a broader policy agenda needed to support a sustainable domestic screen production sector and deliver intergenerational equity in Australian storytelling. 

“Culture is something we shape not just for ourselves, but for our children and those who come after us.” 

Mr Deaner will also call for Australia to develop a stronger cultural export strategy, ensuring local creativity is not only protected at home, but positioned to be celebrated on screens around the world. 

“Streaming regulation is a critical step forward, but it does not solve all the structural challenges facing producers,” Mr Deaner said. 

“It remains incredibly difficult to finance most screen projects, or to secure one of what are currently a reduced number of commissions in the market or to build sustainable production businesses.” 

The address will seek to pose some key areas to see explored as part of the ongoing National Cultural Policy consultation including: 

- Whether screen production incentives are still best serving their intended purpose, or how can they be modernised.

- What frameworks are needed to ensure producers are able to get fair commercial deals in the market and therefore survive.

- How and what partnerships are needed for Australia to thrive in the globalised world. 

Mr Deaner will reiterate the need for targeted reforms to Australia’s screen incentives, noting the importance of the Producer, Location and PDV offsets in underpinning production viability, while highlighting the need to ensure these settings remain fit for purpose in a more constrained global market. 

The keynote will also draw attention to the importance of updating Australia’s international co-production framework, with the current treaty network lagging behind comparable markets and limiting access to global financing and audiences. 

“Australia operates in a global marketplace, but our co-production settings have not kept pace,” Mr Deaner said. 

“There is a clear opportunity to expand our partnerships and unlock new pathways for Australian stories to scale internationally.” 

Mr Deaner will further highlight the importance of ensuring Australian audiences continue to see themselves reflected on screen, particularly in an environment of increasing global competition for attention. 

“The objective is not simply investment, but ensuring Australian stories are visible, discoverable and reaching audiences,” he said. 

The keynote comes at a time of significant change across the global screen sector, with shifting commissioning dynamics, tighter financing conditions and evolving audience behaviours placing increasing pressure on producers. 

SCREEN FOREVER 40 takes place on the Gold Coast from 28 to 30 April 2026, bringing together industry leaders from across production, broadcasting, streaming and distribution.