Australia offers up prod'n offset

Rebate can reach 40% for feature projects

By PAUL CHAI

Incentivewise, Oz is still tubthumping its generous Producer Offset that provides a rebate of 40% of feature expenditure and 20% for all other formats. To qualify, a film must be an official co-production certified by Screen Australia or pass a Significant Australian Content (SAC) test. For productions that do not pass the nationality test, there is the Location Offset, which offers a 15% rebate. The production must have a total expenditure of at least A$15 million ($13 million). Down Under's f/x skills continue to draw big productions, with Rising Sun Pictures securing work on both parts of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." Post-production is eligible for the Post Digital and Visual Effects Production Offset (PDV). This is a 15% rebate on qualifying PDV expenditure of A$5 million ($4.5 million). The production does not need to have been filmed in Australia to qualify.

Top facility: Victoria's Melbourne Central City Studios has seen its fair share of big studio pics with "Where the Wild Things Are" and most recently Miramax's "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark"; post for "Dark" was also handled in Melbourne at Iloura.

Key contacts: One-stop shop Ausfilm (Ausfilm.com) appointed a new topper earlier this year with Jackie O'Sullivan taking over from Caroline Pitcher. An experienced producer, O'Sullivan is an expert across all aspects of filming and finance in Oz.-- Paul Chai