Media Release

New member survey results from Screen Producers Australia (SPA) have highlighted strong producer interest in establishing new official co-production pathways with Spain, Japan and Denmark, alongside the ongoing need to modernise Australia’s existing co-production arrangements such as those with Canada and France.

The survey points to growing appetite among Australian producers for expanded international collaboration, with Spain and Japan emerging as new priority territories where Australia does not currently have official co-production arrangements.

Official co-production agreements allow producers from participating countries to access reciprocal incentives and funding opportunities while enabling productions to qualify as national content in both territories. These arrangements can unlock investment, strengthen creative partnerships and expand international market access for Australian stories.

SPA continues to support the modernisation of Australia's existing co-production framework to ensure agreements remain fit for purpose in an evolving global screen market. In addition, the survey results highlight opportunities to establish new pathways with countries where there is clear industry interest and strong creative and commercial potential.

SPA believes consideration of co-production arrangements should form part of a national screen export strategy, a proposal explored in more detail in SPA’s submission on the new National Cultural Policy.

Screen Producers Australia CEO Matthew Deaner said the survey provides valuable insight into where Australian producers see the greatest opportunities for future international collaboration.

"This is not about choosing one market over another. It is about ensuring Australian producers have access to a modern, ambitious and expanding co-production framework as part of a clear, coherent national screen export strategy," Mr Deaner said.

"Existing agreements need to be kept current and effective, while new pathways should also be explored with countries where there is clear industry interest and strong creative and commercial potential."

"The countries Australian producers are encouraged and able to collaborate with should be considered strategically, helping to position the industry for greater success in exporting Australian stories to the world."

Official co-production agreements currently provide recognised pathways for Australian producers to collaborate internationally, supporting access to funding and incentives while enabling productions to qualify as national content in participating territories. SPA's recent National Cultural Policy submission called for Australia's co-production framework to be modernised to better reflect contemporary financing models and international production partnerships.

Australia's recently concluded Free Trade Agreement with the European Union provides an opportunity for Government to consider new co-production arrangements with Spain, Denmark and other European nations, while also reviewing and modernising Australia's existing agreements. In the case of Denmark, the Danish Parliament approved text for a treaty over ten years ago, which Australia simply failed to ratify.

Japan also represents a significant strategic opportunity following the recent 50th anniversary of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Australia and Japan. More than one million Australians travelled to Japan last year, reflecting the growing cultural and economic relationship between the two nations.

"Japan is one of Australia's closest regional partners and a global creative powerhouse across film, television, animation and digital storytelling," Mr Deaner said.

"Spain and Japan stood out in our member survey as territories where producers see real opportunity, but where no official co-production pathway currently exists. That tells us there is unmet demand that should be part of Australia's future international screen strategy."

SPA thanked members who contributed to the survey and said the findings will inform its ongoing advocacy with Government to expand and update Australia's official co-production network.

The organisation is also encouraging producers interested in international collaboration to engage with their local Federal Members of Parliament and advocate for new co-production agreements that support Australia's independent screen sector.

Information on Australia's current official co-production arrangements is available through Screen Australia.